Media Coverage
Welcome to our media coverage page! Here, you’ll find a collection of articles, interviews, and news stories showcasing the positive impact that Threshold has made in assisting property owners and operators in the fight against homelessness. Our efforts have been recognized by various media outlets for fostering community growth, providing stable housing solutions, and creating a supportive environment for both landlords and tenants. Explore these features to see how we’re making a difference and transforming lives.
Our most recent news coverages are listed below by date. Click the title of the article to read more. (A new window will pop up.)
Maricopa County landlord incentive program connects over 1,000 people to housing
AZ Central – Aug. 30, 2023
This article on AZ Central covers Threshold’s first year in action. Announced in May 2022, Threshold provides incentives for landlords to rent to people who experienced homelessness. The program has helped nearly 450 new property owners enter the housing voucher system, also making 1,000 properties available, according to a statement from Maricopa County.
1,250 previously homeless individuals now have permanent housing
Maricopa County – Aug. 29, 2023
Maricopa County Human Services Department – the founding funder of Threshold – has released news about the unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors to extend Threshold through 2025. “We have seen rent prices skyrocket over the past two years, making it quite difficult for many people to afford rent – let alone those working to take the steps from homelessness into housing,” said District 4 Chairman Clint Hickman. “We applaud these property owners and managers for putting people first and collaborating with us toward solutions that change lives and strengthen our community.”
Threshold: Landlord Engagement Expands Housing Options for People Exiting Homelessness
Maricopa County – May 9, 2023
The Maricopa County Human Services Department has released an overview analysis of Threshold’s impact in our community. Chiefly, Threshold is aimed at increasing housing opportunities for people facing homelessness and housing instability. Property owners and managers who participate in the program receive technical support, financial incentives, rent, and other guarantees that eliminate financial risks for renting to individuals and families that are reestablishing their income sources and rental history as they exit homelessness. Moreover, the ultimate goal of Threshold is to help individuals experiencing homelessness transition to stable and long-term housing, which is key to improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
Threshold Highlighted in ‘Promising Housing Practices in Arizona’
Stark Report – March 15, 2023
In a comprehensive report covering innovative housing solutions throughout Arizona, Threshold’s distinctive model of partnership, centralization, and financial resources is highlighted as an effective solution supporting landlords with existing units. The report lays out the local housing crisis with the intent of naming specific solutions that are in practice and working throughout the state, focusing on solutions, “using new housing policies, practices, and partnerships that show promise for increasing housing supply.”
Threshold enlists Maricopa County landlords to help solve homelessness
Big AZ Media – June 27, 2022
Threshold was launched June 1 at a news conference at the Arizona Multihousing Association. County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates called the collaboration with HOM, Inc. unique because it brings property owners into the conversation, providing incentives to house low-income families and people experiencing homelessness. The initiative is appealingbecause it invites property owners to be part of the solution.
Valley Focus 06-26-2022
KDUS AM 1060 – June 26, 2022
In this episode of Valley Focus, host Kayla Mortellaro sits down with Daniel Davis, the director of landlord relations for HOM, Inc., and administrator of Threshold. (The interview begins at the 26:50 mark and lasts for about 20 minutes.) The two discuss affordable housing opportunities in the Phoenix area. In particular, they discuss the creation of Threshold, why it’s needed, and how it works.
Landlords asked to help solve homelessness through new Maricopa County initiative
Phoenix Business Journal – June 26, 2022
In an effort to combat homelessness, Maricopa County is funding a new network of resources that helps property managers provide more people with affordable housing. Threshold was launched June 1, 2022, at a news conference at the Arizona Multihousing Association in downtown Phoenix. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is funding Threshold through federal Covid-19 relief funds and general funds.
An entry way to building healthy, strong, and safe communities
Arizona Multihousing Association – June 20, 2022
Threshold launched June 1, 2022, at the Arizona Multihousing Association office in Phoenix. Threshold offers financial incentives, a dedicated owner support team, easy-to-use software that helps facilitate leasing properties, and the financial and technical support to keep property valuable and in good repair – allowing owners and managers to provide safe and stable homes for the community.
Arizona’s low-income renters have little chance of finding a home. Here’s why
Arizona Republic – June 8, 2022
This article on AZ Central discusses how Arizona’s housing shortage and rapidly rising rents are hurting people with the lowest incomes the most, forcing a growing number of struggling tenants out of their homes. For example, in metro Phoenix, which is among the top 10 metro areas facing the most severe affordable housing shortages, only 20 rentals are available for every 100 extremely low-income renters, according to the latest annual survey by the nonprofit National Low Income Housing Coalition. The Phoenix area led the U.S. for rent increases with a 30% jump last year, and rents could climb another 20% this year.
Maricopa County trying a new approach to solve homelessness
Axios Phoenix – June 8, 2022
Maricopa County launched a new program last week to offer incentives to landlords who accept housing vouchers from people experiencing homelessness. Why it matters: More than 600 people in Maricopa County who are currently experiencing homelessness have a voucher that would pay for their rent, but they can’t find a place to use it.
Threshold: Housing Help for People Transitioning Out of Homelessness
Maricopa County – June 8, 2022
As part of a comprehensive suite of investments to address affordable housing needs and support people experiencing homelessness, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved a $5 million program funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that expands rental options for people exiting homelessness. Significantly, Threshold will feature a centralized network of property owners and managers who have committed to providing safe and affordable rental options to help people transition from homelessness to housing.
Affordable Housing
Cronkite News – June 6, 2022
A new network is launching to help property owners and managers create more affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness. Henceforth, the program will be known as Threshold.
Landlord program launches to help more people experiencing homelessness get homes
Arizona Republic – June 2, 2022
A new collaboration between Maricopa County and HOM Inc. aims to help landlords rent to more people experiencing homelessness. The public-private partnership will offer financial incentives, risk mitigation funds and support to property managers and owners to rent to the growing population of people who are unhoused. With a $5 million initial investment from federal COVID-19 relief funds, housing advocates and landlords hope the program will reduce barriers in one critical part of the journey to leaving homelessness for good: finding somewhere to live. Forthwith, the partnership will be known as Threshold.
Push to House Maricopa County’s Homeless Strengthens
NBC 12 News Phoenix (Daytime) – June 1, 2022
A new program is looking to bring together local service organizations and property owners willing to help people transitioning out of homelessness. Through federal relief funds, Threshold will work directly with landlords to provide more housing options for those in need in Phoenix.
Maricopa County Housing Initiative Kicks Off
NBC 12 News Phoenix (Evening) – June 1, 2022
A major $5 million countywide initiative to help get unhoused Phoenicians into safe, stable housing is underway.
Landlords offered incentives, support in new program to fight homelessness
ABC 15 Arizona – June 1, 2022
Since 2020, unsheltered homelessness has risen by nearly 35% in Maricopa County and one of the biggest obstacles to ending it is finding landlords willing to rent to people who are living on the streets. On Wednesday, HOM, Inc. in collaboration with Maricopa County and the Arizona Multihousing Association which represents landlords, launched a new program called Threshold, which is designed to provide financial incentives and support for landlords who agree to rent to people who are experiencing homelessness.
Threshold program aims to grow pool of landlords renting to people trying to exit homelessness
KJZZ 91.1 FM Phoenix – June 1, 2022
A program paid for by Maricopa County offers landlords financial incentives to rent to people trying to exit homelessness. Officials held a news conference Wednesday to officially launch the effort called Threshold. The program is a centralized resource network for landlords run by HOM, Inc. President and CEO Mike Shore said property owners and managers can get bonus money by making renting easier for people trying to get off the street. “Our participants are going to have issues,” Shore said. “That’s why they’re homeless. So, income requirements, eviction histories, criminal backgrounds — some of these items we need to be flexible and adapt tenant selection criteria in order to make this work.”
Maricopa ‘threshold’ program offers rent for homeless
The Center Square – May 31, 2022
The county announced Tuesday the approval to spend $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help formerly homeless residents afford their first rental. Named “Threshold,” the program is a collaboration between property owners and managers, the county’s Human Services Department, and Phoenix-based HOM, Inc. “Reducing homelessness requires an ‘all hands on deck’ approach—from emergency shelter services at times of crisis to permanent housing and resources that lead to self-sufficiency,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates, District 3. “This partnership ensures people working to end their homelessness have a path into the rental market.”
$5M Maricopa County Program to Help House the Recently Homeless
Patch.com – May 31, 2022
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved funding for a $5 million program that brings together local service organizations and property owners to give people transitioning out of homelessness safe and affordable places to live. The program, called Threshold, is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, according to a news release from Maricopa County. The program includes a network of property owners and managers who have promised to provide safe and affordable housing options to people moving on from homelessness.
$5 Million Investment Engages Property Owners, Expands Rental Options
Maricopa County – May 31, 2022
As part of a comprehensive suite of investments to address affordable housing needs, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved a $5 million program funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that expands rental options for people exiting homelessness. Known as ‘Threshold,’ the program features a centralized network of property owners and managers who have committed to providing safe and affordable rental options to help people transition from homelessness to housing.
