Deana Irving is the Landlord Relations Specialist at Tulsa Housing Authority (THA), which provides low-income families and individuals with safe, affordable, and decent housing. She acts as the point of contact for landlords, recruiting them to utilize THA's Section 8 program. With 18 years of experience in real estate, Deana has been involved in many areas of the process, including selling and buying, leasing, investing, and property management. She is also a member of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors.

In this episode…

As rent prices and interest rates fluctuate in today's tumultuous economy, many people and families struggle to find affordable housing. Section 8 programs address this concern for qualified renters, but these initiatives often lack landlord participation. This is because most property owners have preconceived notions about tenant delinquency. Today's guest addresses and reduces common biases about these programs.

Deana Irving observed an absence of adequate education regarding housing choice voucher programs. Consequently, landlords sometimes believe they can't raise the rent or enforce payment policies. Deana says that although organizations like Tulsa Housing Authority pays all or portions of tenant subsidies, property owners have overriding control over rent increases and tenant quality. These programs provide landlords with stable income by ensuring consistent payments despite economic instability.

Deana Irving, Landlord Relations Specialist at Tulsa Housing Authority (THA), joins Mat Zalk in today's episode of The Same Day Podcast to discuss how landlords can benefit from THA Section 8 programs. Deana addresses property owners' biases about these programs, how to enhance landlord relations, and the process for determining and raising rent for housing choice voucher holders.