As they struggle to move homeless people into housing, social service officials are focusing on a little-known ally — landlords and property managers.
They're recruiting, cajoling and honoring them to free up rentals in the sizzling market in Ventura County. It's become a necessity because the odds have worsened as rents have soared, vacancies have dropped and demand has risen, officials in the Ventura County Human Services Agency said.
"It is an absolute crisis," said Amy Luoma, a consultant retained by the agency to solicit and engage landlords.
She's one of a group of professionals known as housing navigators. Locally and around the nation, they're being hired to hunt for units, advocate for clients, help them negotiate with landlords.
Providers are also thanking landlords at celebratory events. This year for the first time, county officials invited 40 landlords and property managers to an "appreciation breakfast" in Ventura.
About three dozen showed up, both prospects and existing partners. Three stalwarts won certificates of recognition for their work.
Not surprisingly, two of the awards went to complexes that provide affordable housing for low-income people: Pacific Point Apartments and Gateway Plaza Apartments, both in Oxnard. But the third recipient was Troop Premier Property Management, which handles conventional market-rate units.
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