The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) has launched a new incentive program to increase the amount of affordable housing in Sacramento during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Landlord Incentive Program” is designed to persuade rental-property owners to participate in the Housing Choice Vouchers program, formerly known as “Section 8,” which helps low-income families and individuals with rent assistance.
“This program creates a win-win outcome by increasing the inventory of available units for families seeking housing and providing an economic boost for landlords who partner with us to address the affordable housing and public-health crisis in Sacramento,” said Sarah O’Daniel, director of the Housing Choice Vouchers program.
The program offers a one-time $2,500 bonus for new landlords who have not participated in the past 12 months and a one-time $2,000 bonus for landlords who have cancelled participation in the past 12 months. Funds also are available to pay for application and security fees.
Landlords who own properties within the County of Sacramento can apply for these and other incentives, which are available until Dec. 31.
The new landlord program is funded through support from the Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which allows local housing authorities such as SHRA to respond and protect low-income families during the pandemic.
SHRA is a “joint powers authority” created by the City and County of Sacramento, and manages more than 13,000 rent-assistance vouchers each month.
Assisting the City with its work to help people experiencing homelessness, SHRA also manages the Capitol Park Hotel, the Emergency Bridge Housing on Grove Avenue and soon-to-open navigation center in Meadowview.