PRESS RELEASE: LANDLORDS AT SUMMIT PLEDGE 84 UNITS TOWARDS HOUSING KERN COUNTY’S HOMELESS POPULATION.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 24, 2019
Bakersfield, California
Media Contact:
Ian Sharples
press@ipaknet.org
(661) 214-3007
Landlords at the 2019 California Landlords’ Summit on Homelessness pledged 84 units toward housing Kern County’s homeless population. This builds on the success of last year’s summit which saw 60 units committed. This year’s summit was attended by over 300 landlords, property managers, and other rental housing industry professionals.
Ted Iturriria, a Bakersfield based property manager, credited the summit with changing his attitude toward the homeless. “After attending the summit that IPAK put on yesterday, we ended up showing an apartment to a mother of two who was referred to us by the Bakersfield Homeless Center. Today she submitted her application and is on her way to finding a roof over her head. ”
Attendees learned about what programs are available to landlords who rent to homeless tenants. They also heard the testimony of formerly homeless youth who have successfully graduated from shared housing as well as landlords who participate accept housing vouchers. Later on they heard from legal experts on how they can amend internal policies to accept homeless tenants without triggering fair housing complaints.
The Second Annual California Landlord’s Summit on Homelessness was held on June 20, 2019 at the Bakersfield Marriott. It was put on by the Income Property Association of Kern with help from the California Apartment Association, Adventist Health Bakersfield, The Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and The Housing Authority of the County of Kern.
Landlords who wish to participate should contact their local housing authority. For Kern County, please contact Monique Davis by emailing mdavis@kernha.org or calling (661) 493-2588.
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