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Rent Well Program Begins Tonight, Seeks To Help Those With Rental Barriers

The Rent Well program is starting tonight with online classes ran by UCAN to help those with rental barriers. Rent Well is a 15-hour tenant education program that explores the entire rental process. Topics include: landlord/tenant relationship, Fair Housing Law, move in/out, dealing with rental barriers (credit, criminal history, evictions, etc). “The purpose is to work with individuals who have rental barriers and show them some tools and techniques they can use to show landlords and property managers how they have overcome their barriers,” UCAN Resident Services Manager Seth Kirby said. “Common barriers of participants include: evictions, criminal background, poor credit, lack of rental history, insufficient income.” Most participants are eligible for the Landlord Incentive Fund which encourages landlords and property management companies to rent to individuals with rental barriers. The Landlord Incentive Fund can pay up to $5,000 if qualifying individuals leave tenancy within the first year and owe money above and beyond the security deposit. This is a guarantee that they can present to a future landlord that acts like an insurance for renting to this individual. A similar guarantee fund has been used in Multnomah County and less than 1% of over 7,500 graduates had to use the fund. “It is helping the community by giving individuals tools to frame their history in a way that best represents who they are now,” Kirby said. “Many times, people are denied housing based on poor choices they have made in the past. People overcome their barriers all the time, but many are unable to frame their story in a way that communicates that to landlords and property managers.” The Rent Well Program was started in Portland by the Transitions Project to work with individuals with rental barriers. UCAN ran a similar program, 2nd Chance Renters, for several years before switching over to Rent Well. The class is free but participants must register in advance. ONLINE session starts Tuesday 1/26/2021 When: Sessions are EVERY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 1/26-3/3 (Must attend every session) Location: Online ONLY (Zoom videoconferencing platform) Time: 5-6:30pm, Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 1/26-3/3 To Register: 541-672-5392 or seth.kirby@ucancap.org