Module 4
Community Outreach & Partnerships
Building relationships with organizations that serve protected classes
Lesson 1
Identifying Partner Organizations
Effective AFHMPs involve partnerships with organizations that serve or represent protected classes.
Types of Partner Organizations
- Fair housing organizations and councils
- Civil rights organizations (NAACP, LULAC, etc.)
- Disability service providers
- Independent living centers
- Immigrant and refugee service agencies
- Religious organizations
- Social service agencies
- Public housing authorities
- Homeless service providers
- Veteran service organizations
- Senior centers
- Family service agencies
Finding Organizations
- Contact local United Way for referrals
- Search HUD's list of fair housing organizations
- Check with city/county social services
- Ask local housing authority
- Search online directories (GuideStar, Charity Navigator)
- Attend community meetings and forums
Focus on organizations that serve the populations underrepresented in your tenant demographics.
🔑 Key Points
- Partner with organizations serving protected classes
- Build long-term relationships, not one-time contacts
- Prioritize organizations serving underserved groups
- Document all partnership activities
Lesson 2
Building Effective Partnerships
Successful partnerships require mutual benefit and consistent communication.
Steps to Build Partnerships
- Research organization's mission and population served
- Make initial contact and introduce your property
- Offer to meet in person to discuss collaboration
- Provide information about your property and AFHMP
- Ask how you can support their clients
- Establish communication protocols
- Set up regular check-ins or meetings
- Provide materials for their distribution
- Invite them to property tours or events
Partnership Activities
- Provide housing information to their clients
- Distribute your marketing materials
- Accept referrals from the organization
- Attend their community events
- Offer housing workshops or presentations
- Sponsor their events or programs
- Include them in your marketing materials
- Provide priority access or set-asides (if permitted)
Example:
Example Partnership Agreement: Partner: Lakeside Center for Independent Living Agreement: - We will provide 25 brochures monthly highlighting accessible units - Staff will conduct quarterly presentations on available housing - CIL will refer clients with housing needs - We will tour CIL staff to demonstrate accessibility features - Monthly check-in calls to discuss referrals and issues - Annual review of partnership effectiveness
Maintain written documentation of all partnership agreements and activities.
🔑 Key Points
- Establish formal partnership agreements
- Maintain regular communication
- Provide value to partner organizations
- Document all partnership activities for HUD compliance
Lesson 3
Community Events and Presentations
Active participation in community events demonstrates commitment to affirmative marketing.
Types of Events
- Housing fairs and resource expos
- Community festivals and cultural celebrations
- Health and social service fairs
- Back-to-school events (for family properties)
- Senior expos (for elderly properties)
- Disability awareness events
- Church and faith community gatherings
- Neighborhood association meetings
- Public housing authority events
Event Preparation
- Create attractive booth or display
- Bring plenty of marketing materials
- Have applications available
- Train staff on fair housing practices
- Prepare presentation if speaking opportunity
- Bring sign-up sheet for interested parties
- Take photos for documentation
- Collect attendee demographics if possible
Presentations
Offer to present at:
- Social service agency meetings
- Community center programs
- Senior center activities
- Disability organization meetings
- Immigrant service agency workshops
- Public library programs
- School family events
Always document events attended: date, location, estimated attendance, demographics reached, materials distributed.
🔑 Key Points
- Participate in diverse community events
- Target events attended by underserved groups
- Prepare professional materials and presentations
- Document all events for AFHMP compliance