From NBC 24 News Toledo:
Wednesday morning, the City of Toledo, Lucas County and Lucas Metropolitan Housing announced a new, first-of-its-kind program that will pay landlords in the area to open their rentals to low-income residents.
The groups hope to add 200 affordable housing units from 25 landlords to Toledo by March.
"What we realized is that we were operating at a deficit of affordable units," said Tiffanie McNair, Housing Commissioner City of Toledo. "No matter where you are, we want landlords to open their doors to low-income populations."
The city's 10-year housing plan report found a 12,700-unit shortage of available households for low income residents.
In order to combat that number, the city adopted a program that will pay landlords to open their doors to lower-income residents.
"We heard the feedback from landlords that they feel that they need a little more support," said Nick Komives, Toledo City Council member. "The city is really focused right now on adding affordable units and people need a place to live."
Lucas Metropolitan Housing will give landlords $500 to work with them and provide up to $1,000 of additional funds to cover potential move-out damages on their properties.
Read NBC 23 News Toledo's article "New program offers Toledo landlords financial incentives to rent to low-income residents," featuring Lucas Metropolitan Housing.