Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services partners with HOME and NORLIC for landlord workshop

Submitted by the Public Information Office

The Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) is partnering with Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) and the Niagara Orleans Land Improvement Corp. (NORLIC) to host a free landlord workshop focused on renting to those with mental health and substance use concerns. The event will be held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at the Trott Access Center, 1001 11th St., Niagara Falls.

“Landlords renting to people who may have mental health, substance use or co-occurring concerns may not know other options exist besides eviction when difficult situations arise,” said Laura Kelemen, director of NCDMH. “The key is letting landlords know community resources are available to assist people who may be struggling with managing their behavioral health needs. Accessing these resources can be beneficial to both tenants and landlords.”

Kelemen said that, when a collaborative approach is taken, those with mental health, substance use or co-occurring concerns can often be excellent, long-term tenants for landlords. In addition, local supportive housing programs provide rent subsidies to eligible people with behavioral health concerns, which means guaranteed rental payments to landlords each month.

Presenters at the workshop include Steven Haagsma, education manager for HOME; Nick Hester, senior licensed clinician at NCDMH; and Andrea Klyczek for NORLIC.