Being a renter involves more than just paying rent on-time each month. For many, it’s part of the path toward homeownership, a first step in building financial stability, or a chance to start a new life in a new city or country.
After speaking with renters and property owners and operators, we regularly heard that something was missing from the rental experience: A place renters could go to get the rental resources they wanted and the ones they didn’t even know they needed. To answer that ask, in August, we introduced the Esusu Renters Marketplace.
The Esusu Renters Marketplace aims to make the lives of all renters a little bit easier. It’s an ever-growing, hand-picked list of services and programs focused on financial support and well-being. For renters, it’s the place you can go for support and education geared toward those who rent. For property owners and operators, it’s another resource and value-add that you can offer your residents.
As we continue to curate programs to add to the Marketplace, we wanted to introduce you to some of our favorite features:
Financial support
Access to rent relief is one way that renters can receive financial support, but it’s not the only tool we offer. If a renter needs help with paying bills, we’ve provided access to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (which provides discounts for utility bills) and the FCC’s Discounted Internet Access program (helping renters get in-home internet access credits).
Education and courses
We’ve teamed up with Freddie Mac Multifamily and Fannie Mae to help educate renters on everything from finances to homeownership. Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart® Essentials is a customizable course that helps you understand the basics of credit-building. Because it’s never too soon to start learning about the home buying process, Fannie Mae HomeView walks you through what to expect at each stage.
Finding the local resources you need
We’ve partnered with social resource site FindHelp to bring localized resources directly to the renters who need them. Enter your zip code in our search bar, and gain access to medical, job, food, and housing support in your city. And because so many things change when moving to a new city, we have resources for renters who want to register to vote or learn their rights as a renter.
What else are you interested in seeing rolled out to renters in the Esusu Renters Marketplace? Let us know here!