Tulsa launches Gold Star Landlord Program

(TULSA, Okla.) The City of Tulsa launched its Gold Star Landlord Program Monday, a free and voluntary program that provides incentives and rewards for landlords who are engaging in the best rental practices. "As we seek to ensure quality housing for Tulsans, we must have great landlords on board to meet this goal,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. "With the launch of this Gold Star Landlord Program, we’re eager to see how our landlords and property managers can benefit from this as they provide quality service to the citizens of Tulsa.” To become a Gold Star Landlord, landlords and property managers must: Participate in the Tulsa Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes Program, including free inspections of vacant rental properties List all available rental units on the City of Tulsa’s Affordable Housing Waitlist Participate in the Early Settlement Mediation Program before evicting tenants, except in cases of criminal activity Participate in the City’s Abode Initiative, which supports landlords to increase affordable housing opportunities in Tulsa As part of the incentives to participate, Gold Star Landlords and property managers will receive: Advertising and promotion as one of the City of Tulsa's best landlords and property managers Prioritized application processing to the City’s emergency rental and utility assistance program Assistance from City staff with accessing resources and services that landlords need, including arranging direct referrals where possible Landlord incentives funded by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Referrals of tenants who have completed the Housing Solutions’ Housing Stability Certificate program, which teaches tenants skills to maintain housing stability “We have faced an unprecedented housing crisis in the last year,” City of Tulsa Housing Coordinator Kristin Maun said. “We have been fortunate to have many Tulsa landlords and property managers work through the challenges to continue to provide quality rental housing. The Gold Star Landlord Program is an opportunity for us to reward landlords who are helping to make Tulsa a thriving city with housing opportunities for all.” To participate in the Gold Star Landlord Program, find the application and learn more, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/Landlords