Landlord Outreach

Building strong relationships with landlords, realtors, and property managers across Connecticut is crucial to the success of our program. Given that Head Start and Early Head Start programs have sites across the state, having a network of housing providers readily available allows us to efficiently connect families with permanent housing, no matter what town they live in.

Here is how we build our network of housing providers:

  • Families are often proactive in identifying potential housing units. In such cases, the Program Coordinator will step in to offer support as needed.

  • They partner with HSOH to provide real-time listings to our Program Coordinator. The Coordinator then assists Head Start sites and families through the application process, ensuring quick access to available housing.

  • JDA compiles a list of landlords with properties available to Section 8 voucher holders. Both Head Start sites and the Program Coordinator scan these listings to connect eligible families with suitable properties.

  • Families utilize Matrix, a platform provided by the Department of Housing, to create a single application that can be submitted to multiple property listings. These families are identified as "Head Start on Housing" families on the platform, signaling to landlords that they come with supportive case management.

  • The Program Coordinator contacts landlords who have received applications from HSOH families, explaining the program and its benefits. Highlighting the community support available to these families has proven essential in building trust with landlords. The Coordinator also serves as a point of contact for any concerns, providing landlords with an advocate for the families.

  • Landlords who have previously worked with the program frequently return with new listings for HSOH families. This, coupled with the 800+ current listings on Matrix, has been integral to the program’s success.