between tenants and property management and works to create win/win outcomes for both. Stability of the tenant roster is critical to maintaining the quality and value of any residential property. In serving lower income tenants, some struggling to get to the next level of independence, special circumstances can arise that threaten a tenant's ability to maintain stable employment and, therefore housing. Loss of employment, lack of carfare, daycare or after school care are only a few examples.

The Tenant Services Group works closely with tenants to address problems and help overcome them before they can lead to an inability to pay rent. Tenants can get help accessing entitlements if they're having short term financial difficulties, and get other assistance.

According to VIP's Assistant Vice President for Program Services, it's often just helping out with little things:

"Recently one of our tenants who has a child with special needs had to fax some papers pertaining to an educational program for him. She didn't have the money to go to or use a commercial fax service and asked if we could fax it for her from the building office. It was a little thing to do, but it meant a lot to her. During the conversation, we were able to suggest some other help for her and put her in touch with our Entitlements Program to help her access carfare and other emergency funds that she qualifies for."