Vision
Landlords, property managers, property owners and affordable housing professionals work collaboratively to address the rental housing crisis in Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Goals
- Increase communication and collaboration amongst affordable housing professionals
- Build and strengthen community partnerships between landlords, property managers, property owners and affordable housing professionals.
- Provide education and networking opportunities to landlords, property managers, property owners and affordable housing professionals
- Promote and increase participation in existing affordable rental housing programs
Survey
Help us develop programming that is most beneficial to you as a housing provider, landlord or other housing professional with our 4 minute survey.
Events
Mark your calendars for upcoming education and networking opportunities for housing professionals in Bellingham and Whatcom County!
Creatively Housing College Students in Whatcom County | October 15 | 3 -5 PM| 901 N. State St. 1st floor of Stateside Building or Virtual | Register Here
In 2022, a Washington State Achievement Counsel survey found that WA students at two-year and four-year colleges had similar insecurity rates, with 1 in 2 experiencing food and/or housing insecurity. In 2023, 19.5% of Western Washington University students who dropped out of school cited that they did so because they could not meet their basic needs (food and housing). In this interactive presentation, come ready to collaboratively strategize creative housing ideas that can serve our students and the Whatcom community.
Healthy Housing: Navigating Relationships and Communication with Landlords, Tenants and Service Providers | October 16 | 4 – 5:30pm | Lydia Place 1705 Gladstone St. | Register Here
Forming and maintaining appropriate boundaries in residential rentals can help to build stronger and healthier relationships between landlords, tenants, and service providers. However, communication about the state of someone’s housing can feel incredibly personal and heavy, and rarely have landlords and tenants had the opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level. So how do we create safe spaces to have these essential conversations? Professionals at Lydia Place have been learning to navigate these relationships alongside families and community partners for over 30 years. Whether you are a tenant, property manager, or service provider, we invite you to join us and challenge yourself to continue growing and adapting your perspective on boundaries in tenancy.
Washington’s Landlord Mitigation Fund | October 30 | 9:30-10:30am | Register Here
The Landlord Mitigation Program offers reimbursement for repairs required for any tenant who received a form of rental assistance at any time during their tenancy or who is fleeing domestic violence. Come and learn more about this incredible resource available in our community from Nicholas Yuva, Landlord Mitigation Administrator at the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Bellingham Housing Authority Presents: An Educational Webinar on the Landlord Aspect of the Housing Choice Voucher Program | November 20 | 10:30am | Join Here
Please join Bellingham Housing Authority in an Educational Webinar focusing on the Landlord aspects of partnering with our Agency. This training will offer educational topics covering how a landlord can become an active participant with our agency as well as a road map of the process to have a family reside in your unit with our agencies assistance. We additionally will cover topics of tenant responsibilities, agency responsibilities, and landlord responsibilities during the application phases, lease term, and of course the ongoing compliance aspects. Please check back later for link to register for this event.
Click here to view recordings of past trainings
Sign up for our listserv to stay in the loop on our upcoming events!
Resources for Landlords, Property Managers and Owners
Brochures and Handouts to Give to Tenants
- recyclables sorting poster
- ‘Tips on being a good neighbor’ letter
- Guide to Understanding Condensation
- FoodPlus! Multifamily Composting (English) (Spanish)
- Tenant Rights & Resources Flyer
Stay in Touch With Us
Context
Because of the housing crisis and low vacancy rates in Bellingham and Whatcom County, it is extremely difficult for low-income individuals to find housing. The Landlord Engagement Group recognizes that our landlords and property managers have a unique and important role in helping to address the rental housing crisis.
Who We Are
The organizing group for this organization consists of members from Western’s basic needs team, Northwest Youth Services, the Opportunity Council, Bellingham Housing Authority and the City of Bellingham. This group came together in the spring of 2022 to discuss ways to connect better with landlords and the product of those discussions is this group.
From help paying rent to transitional and permanent housing, and other prevention and housing services—skilled Opportunity Council case managers and staff are available to help people navigate the complex system of available services to find their way home.
The Housing Authority of the City of Bellingham is a local government agency that serves thousands of residents in Whatcom County. The Bellingham Housing Authority (BHA) & the Whatcom County Housing Authority work together to provide needed housing in our community.
Northwest Youth Services is a non-profit organization serving young people ages 13-24 experiencing homelessness in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Northwest Youth Services offers housing, street outreach, help finding a job or enrolling in school, connection to mental health services, support for LGBTQ youth, restorative justice for juvenile respondents, and referrals to other services in the community.
City of Bellingham Housing and Human Services
Western Washington University has three offices to support students who are experiencing or at risk of being homeless. The Office of Off Campus Living provides housing support, advocacy and resources to students living off campus. The Resource Navigator position, funded through a state grant, assists students who need help with a housing deposit and runs a short-term emergency housing program. Western Success Scholars also supports unaccompanied homeless youth and students from the foster care system with additional support, funds and advocacy.
