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Housing Script Supporting DocumentationSample Terminology/DescriptionsSUBJECT LINE: I like to put an identifier in the subject to help track which listings are responding…i.e. I would put “Interested Tenant in 2 BD. Falls Rd. apartment in Oakton”…Some landlord’s won’t provide full address until later in lease up processSALUTATION: Good afternoon or evening, Hello landlord’s nameWHERE LISTING WAS FOUND: Trulia, newspaper ad, Zillow, Padmapper… list any other identifying information to include rental amount, location, or specific feature (i.e. basement or apartment with washer/dryer)PERSONAL IDENTIFIER: Identifiers can include, but are not limited to: veteran, working mom/dad, honest middle-aged man/woman, well-mannered, hard-working, quiet, skilled, etc. HIGHLIGHTING POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES: Positive Qualities that landlords want to see: good housekeepers, positive rental history or positive rental references, non-smokers, pet-free, etc.EMPLOYMENT/FINANCIAL SITUATION: Be honest about current employment status because a landlord needs to be assured that a client has income to cover rental costs. Employment status needs to be honest but can have a positive twist placed on it: Working part time while I’m actively searching for full time employment, currently seeking employment while I work on a certification with the local adult education center, currently unemployed while my credentials transfer from another jurisdiction, etc. If you know that your client has other barriers to being accepted (evictions, poor credit history, recent criminal charges, registered sex offender status, accessibility needs, etc.) I suggest mentioning the items that the client is working on improving or has an explanation for. Examples: I am working on improving my credit score with a local credit counseling program, I receive case management that is helping me increase my income, I am working on establishing a secured credit card to improve/build my credit, I have attended a tenant education course about improving my credit, etc. If a client wants to explain any details about an eviction, judgment, or recent criminal charge then that is their decision. Some examples could include: You will see an eviction in my previous housing history. Unfortunately, I was evicted from my apartment due to loss of income or employment, significant medical issues or bills, family strife that resulted in my inability to maintain my rental payment, etc. RENTAL ASSISTANCE: It’s important that a client understands the basic process of the type of rental assistance they qualify for/are receiving. Here are some brief ways to describe tenant subsidies: I am receiving long term/short term rental assistance, I am working with an agency that is able to provide my full Security Deposit and the cost of my first month’s rent, I provide a portion of my household’s income directly to you each month while the rental assistance program provides the remainder of the amount directly to you. *Best Practice is to refrain from the word Voucher* Synonyms include: rental assistance, certificate, program that assists with housing costs, program that uses Fairfax County funds to provide rental assistance to low-income people. OPTIONAL:Discussion about the benefits that securing housing will provide for the client.When a landlord was on the fence about accepting a high-barrier client I would reaffirm that high rental costs locally affect a large portion of the population that are gainfully employed but still can’t afford market rate rental opportunities. Some landlords would ask the qualifications that a client would need to meet to enter into the program. Some responses could be: low-income household, program that provides supports to renters with not-so-great backgrounds, acceptance into program is based on income. ................
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