Deciding on the form of property management is a key decision that impacts other aspects of the supportive housing project such as whether housing management is needed.  In deciding on an approach, a project sponsor should consider its organizational mission, its capacity and experience, its resources, and its objectives for the project.  For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, view Forms of Property Management.

1. Project Sponsor Provides Property Management: In this approach, the non-profit project sponsor either owns or leases the units, and elects to provide their own property management.
2. Project Sponsor Contracts for Outside Property Management: In this approach, the non-profit project sponsor either owns or leases the units, and contracts for property management services from an outside organization. This approach includes the scenario in which a sponsor operating a scattered-site program contracts with an outside organization to locate and master lease units and provide property management services to those units.
3. Project Sponsor Leases Units From Owner Who Provides Property Management: In this approach the sponsor arranges to lease units either in a single building or in scattered sites and assumes responsibility for tenant selection, but the property owner continues to own and manage the housing.
4. Tenants Lease from Owner Who Provides Property Management: In this approach, tenants lease units directly from the property owner who continues to own and manage the housing.

Role of Housing Management

When the project sponsor or tenants lease units from an owner who provides property management (options 3 or 4 above) the role of housing manager must be filled.  Housing managers serve as an ongoing liaison to property owners/managers who are not part of the supportive housing team. They connect tenants to housing in the private rental market, make rental payments for units that the organization may lease directly from a landlord, and in some cases, receive tenant rent payments. Housing managers work closely with service providers, but play a distinct role. For more about the role of the Housing Manager see Step 5: Choosing Your Role.

Next: Coordinating Property/Housing Management and Supportive Services

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