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Outside-the-Box Approach targets Homelessness


It's a win-win for both landlord and tenant!


The SMART Landlord Program by the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County is a unique, out-of-the-box idea that is helping find homes for the homeless. It was just featured on CBS12.


CLICK SMARTlandlordPBC.org FOR MORE INFO


Here's the CBS12 story:


Getting the homeless off the streets and into rental properties that would otherwise be empty; that's the mission and the pitch from the Palm Beach County Homeless Coalition for a program that's showing great promise and results.


"I believe everyone deserves a second chance," said Ann Ferrao.


Ferrao is a landlord with rental properties all over the county. She is involved in the SMART Landlord Program -- an initiative from the Dept. of Human Services and the Homeless Coalition.


The program places homeless people in her units, the coalition then helps tenants find a job with the goal of ultimately paying their own rent.


Ferrao has 30 tenants through the program.


"I would refer any landlord, they can call me, they can take my number and ask me for a referral," Ferrao said.


Some of the participants are struggling with addiction, but Ferraro says if they are willing to try to clean up their lives, she is willing to open her door. CBS12 was shown an apartment in Riviera Beach that will soon get a homeless tenant.


"There are so many things that can happen -- anyone of us could become homeless," Ferrao said


CBS12 wondered how neighbors feel about this. Is it unsettling that people off streets are moving in next door? Julie Cruz says she and her room-mate are allowing a homeless man to sleep on the sofa right now, she thinks the program could help him.

"It's good for everybody, you can live, they can live," Cruz said.


So far, approximately 100 people have been placed in apartments through the program.

60 landlords are involved.


Ferraro says she has seen her some of tenants start with nothing then turn their lives around in a year.


"It is very positive to have that type of influence and to be part of that," Ferrao said.


Funding for this program is partially from federal tax dollars (HUD), partially from outside agencies and private donations.






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