LOS ANGELES — As renters struggle to pay rent, property owners like Dan Tenenbaum are also hurting.

The pandemic has led to an increase in vacancies with no shortage in maintenance costs.

"We’ve been hit with collection issues," said Tenenbaum. "We’re having up to 30% of our residents not paying rent, as well as a higher vacancy."

One of Tenenbaum’s properties, Haddon Hall, is a historical apartment building located in Koreatown that has seen turnovers when it comes to studio and one-bedroom units. They’ve been even harder to fill as some units have been vacant for at least six months.

"It makes things tough, you know," said Tenenbaum. "We want to be understanding. We know people are going through a tough time. At the same time, you know, we’re faced with not only our monthly mortgage payments, property taxes that we still have to pay, but we actually have increased costs."

While Tenenbaum owns multiple properties throughout Los Angeles, he’s also an L.A. Housing Authority Commissioner looking for creative ways to help the city's unhoused. Ultimately, he connected with PATH’s LeaseUp program that connects landlords in need of filling vacancies with the unhoused who need a place to call home.

The program provides landlords with unit holding fees, a $10,000 insurance policy, 24-hour property owner support with a housing specialist, and a case manager to check in on the resident. This financial security blanket quells any landlords fears of nonpayment.

After being unhoused for the last four years and losing two children to COVID-19, Christopher Gray and his wife were able to move into this apartment with the help of the program.

“I’m happy that the landlord gave us the opportunity to move into this place and gave us a chance,” Gray said.

Gray believes having a place that feels like home is helping him focus on making positive steps for a brighter future.

“Getting my health back together, get ready to get back to work, get us a car, you know, get my family back together, and hopefully, everything that’s wrong is right after that,” Gray said.

Tenenbaum has made 20 units available through the program. Overall, more than 600 property owners and 1,200 units are taking part in the program.

“When we look out at the streets, we know we have a major problem in our city with homelessness, and it’s wonderful that we can do what’s great for ourselves, and at the same time, what’s right for our community and getting these people housed,” said Tenenbaum said.

There’s no simple solution to L.A.'s growing homelessness, but Tenenbaum remains hopeful that by sharing this story, more landlords will turn their vacancies into housing opportunities for those who might need it most.

Property owners interested in the program can contact LeaseUp at 323-428-4742 or leaseupla@epath.org. They can also visit here.