Efforts are underway to get more landlords willing to rent to vulnerable tenants, but at least one landlord believes government should be doing more.

Last month End Homelessness St. John’s indicated it was looking for more landlords to join the Home Connect program to help address a need for safe housing.

The program offers landlords a protection fund, provides regular inspections and guarantees rental payment with limited turnover.

Shawn, a landlord with a small number of properties, told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly this week that he has rented to vulnerable populations in the past and understands how important it is, but says it’s getting more difficult.

One of the impediments to getting more private landlords involved, he says, is that they take on a great deal of responsibility, including damage to property that might never be recouped.

He says government should take on some of the responsibility of addressing the cost of damage.

Without a guarantee that any costs incurred through damage will be addressed, Shawn won’t be able to rent anymore as  “it’s just too costly.”