Landlords Recognized for Supporting Wellness

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The San Mateo County Housing Operations and Policy (HOP) Committee held its 2nd Annual Property Owner and Manager Appreciation Event immediately before the Housing Heroes event on October 27 in recognition of the critical contribution these individuals make to our community in helping people obtain and maintain housing. Having a permanent and stable place to live is integral to our clients in achieving wellness and recovery. About forty property owners/managers, their families and colleagues attended the event to network, learn more about supports available to property owners and managers and to receive well-deserved recognition for the great work they do every day.

San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley and BHRS Director, Steve Kaplan co-hosted the event and Department of Housing Rental Programs Manager, Cindy Chan presented programs and services provided by the Housing Department.

San Mateo County Mental Health Association (MHA) staff presented a special award to property owner Jack Ram and his family for their outstanding willingness to house at-risk clients and families. The entire room was moved by a heartfelt story of a client (and tenant of the Ram family) who shared his story of moving from homelessness to stable, affordable housing and what a difference the opportunity has made in his life. He described feeling like a partner with his landlord in being a good tenant and a member of the community he lives in. The Ram family has made providing opportunities for at-risk clients and families a priority for their rental units.

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Jack Ram and family with Supervisor Don Horsley (center) and Georgia Peterson (seated) from Mental Health Association.

The Housing Operations and Policy Committee is a collaboration of agencies and service providers who meet regularly to develop strategies for collaboration, new programs and improvement of supportive housing programs and opportunities in San Mateo County. Committee members are: Department of Housing/Housing Authority, Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the California Apartment Association Tri-County Division, Samaritan House, HIP Housing, Caminar, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) and others.