Rent Reduction as Charitable Contribution

[Jason Perry]

We have been contacted by a priest who is working with a family that is in desperate need of a place to live. If we give them a huge reduction in rent from the amount we would charge, is that tax deductible as a charitable contribution? If not, if we charge them the full amount and then give them some money each month to help make the payment does that change things or is it the same thing? Trying to balance running our business with helping folks out.