By Julie Walker, NLIHC Project Manager, Opportunity Starts at Home
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection, a center at the University of Denver that conducts scientifically rigorous research to improve the overall well-being of humans, animals, and the environment, is seeking survey responses from housing service providers, other social service providers, and animal welfare providers to understand what resources are currently being provided to tenants and client-reported barriers to accessing or maintaining rental housing with their pets. Survey results will be used to improve coordination between housing and animal welfare organizations.
The lack of access to affordable, pet-inclusive housing is consistently cited as one of the top reasons why tenants, especially low-income tenants, must separate from their pets. This survey’s purpose is to understand the resources that organizations may be providing tenants with pets and/or the barriers that clients experience related to accessing or keeping rental housing with their pet. Information gained from the survey will inform both programmatic and advocacy goals. The survey is open to all organizations that support clients, regardless of whether they currently include programs supporting tenants with pets. Respondents whose organizations do not offer pet-related services can indicate this in the survey.
Examples of pet-related services for tenants include:
- Pet rent, fee, or deposit assistance
- Assistance accessing emotional support animal letters
- Pet food or vouchers for free veterinary care
- Housing navigation assistance to help a tenant with a pet locate housing
- Landlord conflict mediation related to a tenant's pet
See the flyer from the Institute for Human-Animal Connection.
Access the provider survey for pets and housing resources.