Rental Assistance Programs - Don't Believe the Promises

[Myles Van Leuven]

I have a tenant who contacted Volunteers of America back in November for unpaid rent.  He told me that they were going to cover rent for November and then December.  I have never allowed a tenant to be this late paying rent, but I wanted to be understanding given the challenges with COVID.  He has had many, many calls with VOA and they keep pushing his claim back.  I have even called them and they have not fulfilled the promises they made to me.  

It is now the end of January and I haven't been paid for the last three months.  I have recently learned of other landlords who have waited months and months and experienced multiple changes in criteria and delays in getting paid.  Here are my recommendations:

1. If a tenant talks about a rental assistance program that promises to pay rent, do not believe anything your tenant is told.  Encourage your tenant to find another way to pay rent.

2. I know it may be hard, but I recommend proceeding with an eviction if the rental assistance program is the only way for rent to be paid.

I believe the VOA is just disorganized, but the level of chaos I have seen in their operations borders on fraud.  I encourage landlords to stay away.