Experience using SAVE or CSL Housing Programs in Kansas City?

Question

Hey all, I have a vacancy my realtor is working on filling in a duplex. She mentioned two housing programs in the KC area listed below. Reaching out to see if anyone has experience working with these organizations or placing tenants through them and what your experience was. Similar to HAKC, better... worse... any experience welcome and thanks in advance.

Programs

* Save Incorporated.

* Community Services League

Programs

* Save Incorporated.

* Community Services League

Laura Williams · Answer

@George Red

I have one tenant through Save Inc and an inherited one through the KC housing program. The problem I have with Save Inc is that they promised the tenant she had a 1K voucher and then a couple days before the tenant was supposed to move in and she was going to be homeless and counting on our house they said her voucher was only 823 cause the 1k had to include all utilties which was never mentioned to the tenant & in the paperwork she had. Feeling bad for her we took the lower rent and just worked out that we wouldn’t install the central air and she would use her own window units. I’ve asked for rent increases twice now and been denied saying they have no money for a rent increase. Meanwhile our property taxes doubling and property insurance etc. So I’m actually quite annoyed cause it’s on the 3rd year without any rent increase. I will never work with Save again.

The tenant who is in our KCMO housing is a perfect easy tenant (an older lady who has been in the same house for years) and we haven’t had too many issues except when the house failed inspection over something minor they didn’t pay us rent for 2 months. Even though the tenant was still living and enjoying the house those 2 months. I’ve also been asking my property manager to increase the rents here at least something to keep up with inflation and property taxes, insurance that has tripled in past couple years but apparently it’s a big deal and a process.

I have had lots of section 8 tenants in st Joseph but the housing there has been a lot more reasonable and easier to work with. My property manager told me the independence section 8 office is much better to work with than Save or the KCMO housing and she only works with them for vouchers.

So that’s just my thoughts on it. Be prepared to not get any rent increases or a major hassle at best. And nail down a definite amount of rent from the programs themselves before agreeing to rent to their tenants cause they will lowball the last second.

As far as tenant quality in all the section 8s I’ve not had any horrible experiences but with any tenants you need to screen them…probably even more so if they are in these programs. I look for history of the person paying bills and rent on time…being responsible. Basically good people. I personally like the smaller houses for these programs where you can get a nice single person who is retired or disabled or works but needs a little help.

I’ve heard that section 8 houses that are all one level for someone in a wheelchair or an older person are really hard to find and you can get someone that will stay a long time because of that so maybe something to look for if buying for section 8.

Laura Marks · Answer

It seems you've done your due diligence and that's about all you can do. Frankly, all tenants are a risk and almost every policy I have in place, has been implemented as I've learned over the years. I've had very qualified people turn out to be the worst tenants and not as qualified people that have been my best tenants. I always say that  we need a Briggs Meyer test for tenants because credit score and income aren't always the BEST indicators of what we're getting. I've dealt with thousands and thousands of tenants and I still learn things after 10+ years of doing this and you will too. I wish you the best!

George Red · Answer

@Laura Marks thanks again for the insight, I spoke to the case manager and it looks like tenants from CSL come from different programs, one of them being housing the chronically homeless. I was informed that the potential tenant in question is a single mother in a transitional housing situation (not chronically homeless) and after talking to the case manager I feel better about things... plus they pay above market rent and a security deposit. I did learn about CPN's thanks to your post and the background check came back as a valid SSN (thanks for the heads up). We'll see how things progress and I'll post updates.

Laura Marks · Answer

A lot of CSL clients come from homelessness and it was clear they weren't used to living inside of a home. It was a 4 bedroom home and they all lived in one bedroom, as they were used to staying together. A few rooms were ok because of this but other than they stole everything ... every light fixture, door knob, faucet, tore out dry wall to get to copper etc. They had used a CPN (credit privacy number) and I learned the hard way what that is. Policies were implemented because of this rental.

George Red · Answer

@Laura Marks ouch 10k in 3 months… mind if I ask what the tenant did and ask what you mean when you reference the psychology of the situation? Thanks for the insight, we’re supposed to do a background check before potentially placing but thanks for the info about the program no longer paying if tenant drops out. Something to consider for sure.

Laura Marks · Answer

I've used both and while they say it's guaranteed payment, the tenants have to stay in the program to get that paid. If they don't they're removed from the program and left to pay rent on their own. The tenant I had with CSL caused $10,000 in damage in 3 months (I found the psychology of this interesting despite the damage to the home) and CSL didn't and wouldn't help at all. I will never be using them again. Save Inc is a bit better but both are a risk.

Experience using SAVE or CSL Housing Programs in Kansas City?

Most Popular Reply