May 2017: Landlord Counseling, Renting to a Veteran in Need & Maintenance Hacks
Peter Shapiro, long-time Landlord Counselor and author of The Good Landlord, was available for 15 minute one-on-one appointments during the registration/networking/dinner periods. For over 25 years, Peter Shapiro has been a landlord counselor, mediator, trainer, and a small property owner himself. He can help to strengthen tenancies, resolve issues over nonpayment etc., and to prepare if eviction is needed.
Ryan McClusky & Marta Budu-Authur from the New England Center and Home for Veterans joined us to tell us about Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF). The New England Center and Home for Veterans works closely with landlords to create sustainable housing for homeless veterans. They provide 6+ months of support for both the landlord and veteran, are always available by cell phone to resolve issues, and conduct weekly check-ins to ensure success. By providing financial, housing and career assistance to these Veterans in dire need, the SSVF has Reduced Homelessness Nationwide by 47% and has kept 91% of Veteran Family Households housed after program exit.
MassLandlords' own Doug Quattrochi has spent years working on bringing Insurance Against Homelessness to Massachusetts. Stemming from a successful program in Seattle, MassLandlords' proposed Insurance Against Homelessness was designed for landlords by landlords. The way the program could work in Massachusetts: landlords would receive $10,000 insurance for unpaid rent, damage, and attorney’s fees incurred in the first two years’ tenancy, tenants are forgiven minor CORI and past homelessness on the rental application, and the Commonwealth pays for a dedicated landlord adviser to mediate disputes and safeguard the state’s interest in the guarantee. Insurance Against Homelessness would supplement existing programs like HomeBASE, MRVP, and Section 8 to reduce the landlord’s perception of risk. We believe that this program would be a 'win, win win' for the Commonwealth, landlords and tenants.
DIY Maintenance Hacks
To make this evening even better, Doug Quattrochi also did a brief presentation on DIY Maintenance Hacks that were very helpful!
"On any given night in Massachusetts, more than 13,000 individuals in families experience homelessness. Approximately 60 percent of them are children, according to a recent report by the Boston Foundation, “The Growing Challenge of Family Homelessness."- Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram
Monday, May 15th
Meeting Agenda
- 5:30pm Registration, Socializing and Networking
- 6:15pm Buffet Dinner in the Venture Cafe
- 6:50pm Executive Director Doug Quattrochi with the MassLandlords Business Update
- 7:00pm Ryan McClusky & Marta Budu-Authur: Housing Homeless Veterans
- 7:35pm Doug Quattrochi with DIY Maintenance Hacks
- 7:45pm Doug Quattrochi - Insurance Against Homelessness
- 8:15pm Networking
- 9:00pm Doors close
Location
Cambridge Innovation Center
1 Broadway (5th Floor)
Cambridge, MA 02142
*Parking* ~ Easiest and cheapest parking is at Pilgrim Parking (350 Kendall St, Cambridge, MA 02142).
Food
- Italian Classics Buffet
- Charcuterie Board
- Garden Salad
- Chicken Parmesan
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Baked Ziti
- Soft Drinks and Water
- Assorted Cookies
Please note: this event is run by MassLandlords volunteers and staff.
