Many of my shared housing coaching clients who own group homes or are about to open some model of shared housing have their referral list of agencies in their communities. Yet, they are not sure of what to do with their list., They try and call the agencies and speak with the caseworkers. We know it can be hard to get ahold of a housing caseworker and once you get them they may not have a client for you at that moment. Will they remember you? An easy way to market is to call the agency or organization and instead ask to speak to the housing caseworker and ask for their EMAIL.
Once you have their email you can send a marketing email telling them about your new house like the one below. A good idea when opening your brand new group home is to send an Announcement Email of your Group Home Opening.
Here is a sample newsletter Uncle Dave’s Housing send out for one of its houses’ Grand Opening.
We are excited to announce the opening of our new transitional home for men in Los Angeles
Dear Caseworkers and Colleagues
Uncle Dave’s Housing in January of 2010. Our organization currently houses over 170 men in South Los Angeles every night. Uncle Dave’s Housing is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and partners with many Los Angeles agencies whose goal is to help those in need of housing. We believe in providing affordable housing in a community to help people in need.
We would love to work with you and your organization. Please contact us if you have any clients needing housing or if you have any questions. Please take a minute to see each of our houses on our website http://uncledaveshousing.org. I’m also attaching a flyer and feel free to pass it along.
We look forward to hearing from you and working with your clients. Please contact Uncle Dave at 424-652-1191 for the availability of beds for your clients.
- Here is a marketing email I use to follow up with a caseworker who either just called me or emailed me. (Always attach a flyer to your email so they can give it out to their cohorts).
It was nice talking to you. Uncle Dave’s Housing has been providing transitional housing for men since January 2010. We currently have 7 locations all in South Los Angeles (SPA 6). There is an on-site manager at each house. The monthly rent is $600 (we accept $575 from DPSS) and includes all utilities, internet, and streaming. depending upon the house. Most of our rooms have only two beds in them.
We always have a vacancy or two to help your agency with placement. There is no limit on how long someone can stay with us. In fact, we have some guys that have been with us for almost ten years. Please visit our website at http://www.uncledaveshousing.org and feel free to call Uncle Dave at (424) 652-1191 with any questions you may have. I am attaching a flyer for your reference.
Our locations are all in South Los Angeles. (Give them the address of your Group Homes).
Thank you and I look forward to working with you.