Published November 18th, 2024 | Written by Tyler Stenson, Canopy’s Communications Coordinator
Meet Lisa Bass, one of the first female contractors in Arkansas, a business owner, builder, and landlord. A true Arkansan, Lisa has witnessed our region’s growth over the past twenty years. Based in Conway, she has strategically invested in residential building projects across Central and Northwest Arkansas. But that’s not all—she also owns and operates a cleaning company. Earlier this month, we sat down with Lisa to learn about her experience as a developer and landlord, and to discuss the benefits for landlords who rent to refugees.
Lisa, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved in renting properties?
In 2000, I found myself as a single mom needing to support my family. A friend in the construction industry encouraged me to explore development, so I took out a business loan from the bank. It was scary at first, but the rest is history.
What initially motivated you to start renting your properties to refugees?
As a business owner, when I first hired coworkers, there was a language barrier. My coworkers taught me Spanish, and I taught them English. We built a strong team, and I’ve never had turnover. We all make the same wage. When working with people, I always start by putting myself in their shoes, and I take the same approach when leasing properties.
How did Canopy NWA enter into the picture?
In 2018, a realtor friend of mine briefly mentioned Canopy. Shortly after, I met a Syrian family living next to one of my properties, and I was drawn to them because they were so kind. After reaching out to Canopy online, they called me directly, and I was willing to give it a try. I leased a townhome to a Syrian refugee family, and honestly, they were the best tenants I’ve ever had.
How do you go about selecting refugees as tenants?
The bottom line is that property managers want to rent to people who will respect the property. Renting to refugees supported by Canopy has always been a great experience. Housing in a new place can be confusing, especially for refugees arriving in Northwest Arkansas, but landlords can feel secure knowing that Canopy is always there to support them. Often, refugees supported by Canopy take better care of my properties than the average tenant.
Are there any particular stories of refugee tenants that stand out to you?
As any property manager knows, properties need maintenance. For example, in one of my properties, a water heater was slowly leaking and needed repair. The tenants were refugees, and I initially assumed the language barrier might be an issue. But Canopy was just a phone call away, and we quickly fixed the water heater. I also realized that if the tenants had questions, Canopy staff was there to help them, making it a win-win for both tenants and landlords.
Do you have any advice for landlords who are considering renting to refugees but are unsure how to take the first step?
More builders and property managers should consider renting to refugees simply because it’s something we can do. Building and leasing are talents that can have a unique impact. Renting to refugees creates a pathway for them to thrive in Northwest Arkansas. Most importantly, Canopy is a huge blessing to landlords. They are reliable partners who help with rental payments, property care, and managing the paperwork. After all, Canopy’s clients have all the legal rights and paperwork needed to rent in our community.
Anything else you’d like to say to property owners or landlords considering renting to refugees supported by Canopy?
Try it. Try renting to a refugee, and I assure you, it’ll be a success and a blessing to everyone. Don’t let fear breed negativity—scoot it aside, and just give it a try.
Lisa Bass is a champion among landlords. With almost 25 years of experience, Canopy NWA is proud to partner with her in leasing properties to refugees building new lives in Northwest Arkansas.
Canopy NWA exists not only to meet the basic needs of our new neighbors but to equip them with the tools they need to thrive in our community. In partnering with landlords like Lisa, we’re doing exactly that.
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