The Annondale apartment complex located on 5th Street in Tucson, Arizona has an interesting way of keeping its tenants and ensuring they pay the rent.
They hire them to perform odd jobs around the complex.
According to the apartment manager who didn’t want his name mentioned in this article, “many of the residence are without work, have had their hours cut and are facing tough times. While this is sad, it creates an excellent opportunity to hire affordable labor.”
The monthly rent to live in the Annondale complex is about $15 less than other nearby apartments and are well taken care due to the live in workforce.
Residences at Annondale vacuum, wash window, mow the lawn, clean the laundry room and complete a number of other facility maintenance task.
According to the manager, having the residence work on the property is a win-win proposition. “The tenants win because the work allows maintain their dignity and pay the rent. Annondale wins because their facility’s are well maintained and tenants are more likely to stay longer.”
When I told the manager of Annondale that he was a social entrepreneur, his response was classic. “I never considered myself a social entrepreneur, I just thought I was doing the right thing.”
