Comment Detail

Comment

Property Management Companies and Landlords are reporting alleged debts renters may not even know they have (and may not even owe) to a collection agency that proudly specializes in negatively impacting renters’ abilities to secure new housing..

This Rental Collection Agency advertises its services to landlords as a company that prides itself on how quickly it can interfere with a tenant’s chances of obtaining new housing. The amount of harm homelessness causes is devastating. It has an intergenerational impact that is completely out of proportion to any amount of money a landlord could claim they are owed.

From their webpage on a Rental History Provider’s website: “XXXX is the only collection agency that reports directly to Rental Research XXXXX. That means that any account you place will impact the consumers ability to secure new rental housing faster than with any other agency.
If you’re thinking that this is the single greatest one-two punch in the market, you’re right.”

Rental collection agencies and Rental History Service providers that conspire with federally subsidized housing providers to interfere with a person’s credit and rental history quickly, before they can secure new housing, very well could result in long-term homelessness for a families. That is morally reprehensible. It also undermines the federally funded housing program’s purpose behind the financial incentives the housing provider avails themself of in exchange for providing permanent housing to those who might otherwise be at risk for or suffering from homelessness.

That there are housing providers that are able, and willing, to use companies like XXXXX to unequivocally damage the ability of a human being to secure housing for themselves and their family is deplorable. That they would do it specifically with the intent of ensuring people suffer extended homelessness and hardship, is absolutely despicable.
In the case of Federal funded providers (I had a false debt reported by a LIHTC company) they are harming the very people that they are receiving tax credits to help, and they are causing the very problem that their housing program is designed to prevent.
In 2021 the Federal Government enacted over $51 billion in funding for homeless services and housing programs. And this is just a fraction of the money being allocated and spent to prevent, end, and reduce the harm being inflicted on people by homelessness. The cost of homelessness is high and it affects us all. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, just one chronically homeless person costs taxpayers approximately $44,000. A homeless family with children costs exponentially more than that.
A LIHTC housing provider that utilizes a company like this one’s inimical services to interfere with a tenant’s ability to secure housing is increasing the community’s tax burden while they continue to decrease their own by reaping the benefits of the tax credit program.
This should not be allowed and those who have used these companies to cause homelessness should be called to task.