Global leasing

Global leasing, also known as master leasing, is a type of rental assistance program that helps link third-party leased properties with behavioral health agencies.

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What is global leasing?

Global leasing, also known as master leasing, is a strategy that many communities are using to address the affordable housing crisis. A global lease allows local governments, behavioral health agencies, or nonprofit organizations to lease units from an owner and sublease individual units or property to unhoused tenants.

By providing flexible, tailored housing options for individuals and families, global leasing presents a promising solution for addressing housing inequities.

Note on language

The Health Care Authority (HCA) uses the term global leasing rather than master leasing, as the word “master” reflects a power differential between groups and has a violent connotation for many Black communities, Indigenous communities, and other communities experiencing racial, cultural, and ethnic oppression.

The importance of global leasing

People experience numerous barriers when accessing affordable, sustainable, and high-quality housing while housing providers also struggle to find affordable, safe, quality housing to rent. Service providers prioritize supporting individuals and families with the highest needs, and property owners look to rent with as little risk as possible.

In many cases, global leasing can provide answers to these three issues by:

  • Allowing housing providers to lease directly from the property owner, negotiating reasonable rents, and holding the property owner accountable for the quality of their home.
  • Giving service providers opportunities to house high barrier individuals and families usually deemed ineligible or denied leasing opportunities.
  • Reducing property owners’ risk by having guaranteed income and a third party to work with.
  • Often providing options for integrated services and supports, which can help tenants and subtenants stabilize and thrive.

Resources

HCA provides technical assistance, funding, and oversight of certain globally leased projects between state licensed private, nonprofit mental health agencies, and property owners or managers.

HCA developed, and will continue to develop, resources to support global leases.

Videos

The following videos explain targeted aspects of global leasing.

  • What is global leasing? This video defines global leasing, describes how it works, lists roles and responsibilities of the different entities within the system, and details benefits to all involved.
  • Hear from global leasing property owners to learn about their experience and the benefits of the global leasing program from their perspective.

Podcast recordings

  • Global leasing 1: Emily Abell: In this podcast, Emily Abell, Youth Services Manager at Olympic Community Action Program (OlyCAP) and host Ashley Stewart discuss the benefits and challenges of global leasing.
  • Global leasing 2: Kelli Parcher: Kelly Parcher shares experiences supporting youth and young adults via Global Leasing—a three-way leasing strategy for tenants, property owners, and organizations—with host Ashley Stewart. Sponsored by Washington State Health Care Authority.

Contact

Email: Michaela Jones
Global leasing program manager