All Episodes

May 10, 2025 10 mins

Send us a text

We explore the essentials of managing rehabilitation projects for special needs housing and navigating partnerships with nonprofits for tenant placement and invoicing. This episode offers practical advice and key takeaways for property managers looking to create effective, compliant special needs housing solutions.

• Understanding specific tenant needs beyond basic accessibility features like wheelchair ramps
• Community involvement in planning phase by engaging with advocates and potential tenants
• Detailed project planning with clear goals that improve livability and safety
• Building a team with contractors experienced in special needs modifications and ADA regulations
• Quality control through constant checks for compliance, usability, and safety
• Legal compliance including permits for specialized modifications
• Effective nonprofit partnerships through clear communication channels
• Detailed rent agreements specifying amounts, due dates, and responsibilities
• Consistent invoicing systems with accurate, detailed monthly statements
• Meticulous record-keeping for tenant documentation and financial transactions

For specialized special needs housing services, contact Flowers Associates Property Rentals at 901-621-3544. We also recommend Robert Flowers' book "The Joy of Helping Others, Creating Passive Income Through Special Needs Housing" available on Amazon.


Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Deep Dive.
Today we're tapling somethingreally important.

Speaker 2 (00:04):
Yeah, managing rehab projects for special needs
housing.

Speaker 1 (00:08):
Exactly and also figuring out the invoicing and
you know the tenant docs whenyou partner with nonprofits.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
It can get complicated.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
For sure.
So you're likely here lookingfor clear, practical advice,
right Without getting totallybogged down in details.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
Consider this your shortcut, then.
We're aiming to give you theessentials for running things
smoothly and compliantly.

Speaker 1 (00:29):
We've got some really solid resources to draw from
today.
One focuses on managing thoserehabs effectively for special
needs housing specifically.

Speaker 2 (00:37):
And the other one really unpacks the whole
invoicing and documentation sidewhen you're collaborating with
nonprofits.

Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, so our goal is pretty simple Pull out the key
takeaways from these materials.
We want you to get a goodhandle on the main things to
consider.

Speaker 2 (00:52):
Right From the initial planning stages all the
way through to building thosestrong long-term partnerships.

Speaker 1 (00:58):
Okay, but before we jump in, just a quick word from
our sponsor, flowers AssociatesProperty Rentals.

Speaker 2 (01:03):
Ah yes, they really specialize in special needs
housing.
A lot of you probably know them.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
You can reach them at 901-621-3544.
That's 901-621-3544.

Speaker 2 (01:15):
And you know, speaking of expertise, many
listeners might remember RobertFlowers from some of our earlier
discussions.

Speaker 1 (01:21):
Oh, absolutely.
He's a real leader in thisspace.
He's written several books too.

Speaker 2 (01:24):
Including the Joy of Helping Others, creating Passive
Income Through Special NeedsHousing.
It's out on Amazon now.

Speaker 1 (01:30):
I've actually read that one.
It's genuinely really valuable,very practical stuff in there.

Speaker 2 (01:35):
Good perspective.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
Highly recommend it if you're in this field or you
know thinking about getting intoit.
Okay, so let's dive in.
First up, the rehab for specialneeds housing.

Speaker 2 (01:45):
Right and the sources we looked at.
They hammer this home.
Step one, before anything else,is understanding who will live
there, their specific needs andit's more than just like
wheelchair ramps isn how itaffects someone with autism or

(02:09):
needing specific sound dampeningthe resources really push you
to think about the why behindevery single modification.

Speaker 1 (02:18):
So how do you get that deep understanding?
The material really stressescommunity involvement, proactive
involvement.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, not just checking boxes.
It means actually talking tospecial needs advocates, maybe
even potential tenants, way backin the planning phase.

Speaker 1 (02:33):
The one right to the source.

Speaker 2 (02:34):
And that's not just like a nice to have.
It's strategic.
It means your project is basedon actual lived experience, not
guesswork.

Speaker 1 (02:42):
Which usually leads to better outcomes.
Right Housing that actuallyworks for people.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
Definitely More effective, more successful in
the long run.

Speaker 1 (02:48):
Okay, so you've done that groundwork.
You understand the needs.
What's next?
According to the sources,Detailed project planning.
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (02:55):
Taking those needs and turning them into really
clear goals.

Speaker 1 (02:58):
So asking yourself, OK, what specific changes are
genuinely essential here?
What's going to really improvelivability and safety for these
tenants?

Speaker 2 (03:07):
Exactly, and that directly feeds into the budget
which, as the sources point out,needs to be extra careful for
these kinds of rehabs.

Speaker 1 (03:13):
Because it's not just standard renovation costs.

Speaker 2 (03:15):
Nope, you're factoring in specialized
materials.
Maybe contractors who you knowreally know accessible design
inside out.
Right, and you absolutely needa solid contingency fund, more
so than usual.
Maybe contractors who you knowreally know accessible design
inside out.

Speaker 1 (03:23):
Right, and you absolutely need a solid
contingency fund, more so thanusual, maybe.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
Probably.
Yeah, unexpected things alwayscrop up, but they can be even
more complex with thesespecialized modifications.

Speaker 1 (03:34):
Okay, plan, mapped out budget carefully considered.
Now you got to build a team.

Speaker 2 (03:39):
And this is critical.
The resources really highlighthow important it is to pick
contractors with actual, provenexperience in special needs mods
.

Speaker 1 (03:48):
It's not just any builder.

Speaker 2 (03:49):
No, these folks understand things like ADA
regulations, not just on paper,but how they work in practice.
You know the real usability.

Speaker 1 (03:56):
Like the turning radius for a wheelchair in a
bathroom or how to install grabbars correctly.

Speaker 2 (04:01):
Precisely, they get those nuances.

Speaker 1 (04:03):
And the sources also say it's not just hiring them,
but making roles crystal clearwithin the team.

Speaker 2 (04:09):
Absolutely essential, especially for those
specialized tasks.
Everyone needs to know exactlywho's doing what.
No confusion.

Speaker 1 (04:17):
Okay, so teams in place.
Roles are clear.

Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:19):
Then you move into actually doing the work, the
execution.

Speaker 2 (04:23):
And that requires a detailed timeline, one that
really accounts for the careful,sometimes intricate
installation of these features.

Speaker 1 (04:30):
Can't rush it.

Speaker 2 (04:31):
Definitely not, and you also have to think about
minimizing disruption right,especially if people are already
living there while you'rerenovating.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
Oh, that's a huge consideration and, during the
work, quality control.

Speaker 2 (04:42):
Non-stop.

Speaker 1 (04:48):
The material stresses constant checks for compliance,
usability and safety.
It has to work for the peopleusing it every day, not just
look.

Speaker 2 (04:51):
Okay, exactly, regular inspections focusing on
how usable things are, how safethey are, and, of course,
sticking strictly to those ADAstandards.
That's non-negotiable.

Speaker 1 (05:00):
Which brings us neatly to the legal side of
things.

Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yep, the sources remind us you've got to stay
current on all the legalrequirements for special needs
housing.
Where you are, it varies.

Speaker 1 (05:10):
And making sure your permits cover everything,
especially those specializedmodifications.

Speaker 2 (05:15):
Absolutely critical Avoids headaches down the road.

Speaker 1 (05:18):
And alongside the legal stuff there's just basic
safety during construction.

Speaker 2 (05:22):
Fundamental, yeah, but with an added layer here.
Right, you have to think aboutmaintaining accessibility and
safety during the work fortenants who might have mobility
issues or sensory challenges.

Speaker 1 (05:33):
That takes some extra planning, for sure, definitely.

Speaker 2 (05:36):
Logistics matter.

Speaker 1 (05:37):
Okay, so the work's winding down.
Project closeout time.

Speaker 2 (05:40):
And the sources say this is more than just the usual
final walkthrough with thecontractor.

Speaker 1 (05:45):
What else?

Speaker 2 (05:45):
Actively getting feedback from the special needs
tenants themselves.
They're the real experts onwhether it meets their needs.

Speaker 1 (05:52):
That direct feedback loop that makes total sense.

Speaker 2 (05:54):
It's invaluable.
And then finally doing a properpost-project review.

Speaker 1 (05:58):
Looking back at what worked, what didn't.

Speaker 2 (06:00):
Exactly Documenting those lessons learned.
That's how you get better forthe next project.
Builds that internal knowledge.

Speaker 1 (06:08):
Okay, that covers the rehab side really well.
Let's pivot now.

Speaker 2 (06:11):
Right to the second piece partnering effectively
with nonprofits, specificallyfor tenant placement, where the
landlord handles rent agreementsand invoicing.

Speaker 1 (06:21):
Yeah, this is a different dynamic.
The sources really emphasizethat the foundation here is
truly understanding thenonprofit's needs and
requirements.

Speaker 2 (06:31):
And the needs of the tenants they serve.
Of course, that understandingshapes everything, especially
the rent agreement.

Speaker 1 (06:37):
Because the nonprofit is that key intermediary right
Right, you need to know theirgoals, their reporting needs,
maybe specific tenantrequirements.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
It's all about setting up a partnership that
works for everyone involved.

Speaker 1 (06:48):
And communication is obviously vital here.

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Hugely the source of stress.
Setting up clear, reliablecommunication channels right
from the start.

Speaker 1 (06:55):
Regular check-ins.

Speaker 2 (06:56):
Yeah, both formal and informal, Just helps keep
everyone on the same page, letsyou tackle concerns early and
builds that collaborative spirit.

Speaker 1 (07:03):
Makes sense.

Speaker 2 (07:10):
So once you have that understanding and communication
flowing, you get down to theactual rent agreement and the
material says be specific, naildown the rent amount, due dates,
tenant responsibilities, whichmight be slightly different here
at LeaseLank.

Speaker 1 (07:17):
Clarity is key, making sure it aligns with what
the nonprofit needs and what thetenant needs.

Speaker 2 (07:23):
Precisely and just like with the rehabs you cannot
ignore legal compliance.

Speaker 1 (07:31):
Got to make sure that agreement follows all the local
housing laws and regulations,absolutely.

Speaker 2 (07:33):
The sources strongly suggest maybe having legal
counsel.
Just give it a once over beforeit's signed, just to be safe.

Speaker 1 (07:39):
Good advice.
Okay, agreement done.
Now the money side Invoicing.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
Need an efficient system.
The resources talk aboutsetting up clear, consistent
monthly invoicing.

Speaker 1 (07:50):
Detailed invoices right Tenant name, rental period
, amount due Accuracy matters.

Speaker 2 (07:55):
Definitely.
And using invoicing softwarecan, you know, really streamline
things and cut down on errors.

Speaker 1 (08:01):
Makes life easier and you need to send those invoices
regularly to the nonprofitMakes life easier and you need
to send those invoices regularlyto the nonprofit.

Speaker 2 (08:07):
Consistency is key for them.
Establish a schedule, digital,hard copy, whatever works, but
stick to it Helps them managetheir end.

Speaker 1 (08:13):
And on your end, as the landlord receiving the
payment.

Speaker 2 (08:16):
You need a solid system for tracking those
payments coming in from thenonprofit, monitor them closely,
match them to invoices.

Speaker 1 (08:23):
Keep those financial records clean.
Good cash flow management.

Speaker 2 (08:26):
Yeah, and the sources also mention issuing receipts
promptly.

Speaker 1 (08:31):
Just confirms the payment.

Speaker 2 (08:32):
Confirms it, builds trust, makes for transparent
records for both sides.
It's good practice.

Speaker 1 (08:37):
And we're back to legal and compliance again,
aren't we?

Speaker 2 (08:39):
Always Gotta adhere to all the rules about
landlord-tenant relationshipsfinancial transactions,
especially in these partnerships.
Regular reviews of how youoperate are smart.

Speaker 1 (08:50):
And documentation.
I imagine that's crucial here.

Speaker 2 (08:52):
Cannot overstate it.
Keep meticulous records tenantdocs, agreements, financial
stuff, everything organized.

Speaker 1 (08:58):
Vital for audits or if any questions pop up later.

Speaker 2 (09:01):
Exactly or heaven forbid disputes.
Good records are your bestfriend.

Speaker 1 (09:06):
Okay, but what if things do go wrong, like payment
delays?

Speaker 2 (09:09):
Stuff happens.
The material advises having aclear plan, a protocol for
dealing with issues like latepayments or errors.

Speaker 1 (09:18):
Direct communication usually best.

Speaker 2 (09:20):
Almost always Talk directly to the nonprofit's
finance.
People have a proactiveapproach to sorting it out.

Speaker 1 (09:27):
And the final point the sources made was about
flexibility.

Speaker 2 (09:30):
Yeah, being prepared to adapt.
Maybe you need to tweak therent agreement based on feedback
or change how you invoice ifregulations change.

Speaker 1 (09:39):
These partnerships aren't static.

Speaker 2 (09:41):
Exactly they evolve.
You need a willingness toadjust.

Speaker 1 (09:44):
Okay, wow.
So bringing this all together,we've really covered a lot of
ground.

Speaker 2 (09:48):
We have two really interconnected areas the
detailed work of rehabbingproperties for specific tenant
needs.

Speaker 1 (09:55):
And then the essentials of building strong
working partnerships withnonprofits for housing.
Focusing on those agreementsand invoicing details.

Speaker 2 (10:02):
And the common threads.
Meticulous planning is huge inboth.

Speaker 1 (10:06):
Whether it's planning accessible features or planning
partnership roles.

Speaker 2 (10:09):
Right.
Specialized knowledge,especially in the rehab part.
Proactive communication,especially with the nonprofits.

Speaker 1 (10:16):
And underlying everything, just sticking to the
legal standards.

Speaker 2 (10:19):
Absolutely.
That's the baseline.

Speaker 1 (10:22):
So, considering everything we've unpacked today,
here's something to think aboutbaseline.
So, considering everythingwe've unpacked today, here's
something to think about.
How might a deeperunderstanding really getting
into the weeds of both tenantneeds and the way these
nonprofit partnerships work?
How might that help you unlockeven more sustainable, more
impactful housing solutionsright there in your own
community?

Speaker 2 (10:41):
Hmm, that's a great question to mull over.
Definitely something toconsider as you continue this
important work.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Therapy Gecko

Therapy Gecko

An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.