There are companies pounding my inbox that I should build out my brand, spend a bunch of money on videos, photos, design, Google marketing, affiliate sales, etc.... for a higher return and control of my own destiny. 

I am affiliated with a top ten commercial real estate company and run an office in tertiary Florida market.

For a specific app, Personal Capital (no affiliation) is a sleek app. 

I think a DIG affiliation is the way to go. 

That said, just sign the PSA in your name and include language allowing the PSA to be assigned to an affiliated entity controlled by you.

Join your local rental association (Illinois Rental Property Owners Association and affiliates).

Two of the companies Rogero and Cole are Affiliate members of NARPM, National Association of Residental Property Managers. 

But me thinks the renter mentality would find this challenging to even comprehend in many rental dominated markets.. but in high end markets Like NYC or SF or LA or WA DC  were rents are say 3k and above maybe this works..  

What criteria could be used or would it be better to have a non-profit select the person and pay the rent instead so it isn't directly affiliated with the apartment complex?

The biggest ones that will accept non-affiliated sponsors are CrowdStreet and RealCrowd.