Crime Free Multi-Housing Program

What Is Crime Free Multi-Housing?

The Minnesota Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH) program is designed to be a partnership between law enforcement, rental owners and managers, and residents to reduce crime, drugs, illegal, and nuisance activity in rental communities. Developed in 1992, CFMH can be found throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world. Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH) is a program designed to make multi-family dwellings safe and desirable places to live. CFMH is pro-property manager, pro-resident, and anti-crime.

The program uses a unique three-phase approach that ensures resident friendly techniques will be applied to maintain crime prevention goals. The three components that make up the program are:

• Management/Owner training
• Security assessment
• Resident training/crime watch

Once all three phases are completed, the property can be fully certified by the local CFMH coordinator. Full certification allows the use of the CFMH sign and use of the CFMH logo in advertising. Certification must be renewed annually.

Benefits of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program

Management Benefits

• A stable, more satisfied resident base
• Increased demand for rental units with a reputation for active management
• Lower maintenance and repair costs
• Increased property values
• Improved personal safety for tenants, managers, and owners
• More time for routine management and less time on crisis control
• More appreciative neighbors

Law Enforcement Benefits

• Tried and true crime prevention methods
• Proven drop in calls for service by up to 67%
• Improved quality of life for the community at large
• Teaches property managers and residents how to work with police and neighbors to keep drugs and other illegal activity out of the rental property
• A community-oriented policing approach to crime prevention

The Three Phases of the Program

Phase One - Management/Owner Training (Day One Training)

Resident managers (and/or property owners) attend an eight-hour seminar presented by police, fire, public housing, and others.

Managers learn:

• Use crime prevention on their property
• Benefits of applicant screening
• Tips to strengthen rental agreements and the correct implementation of the Crime Free Lease Addendum
• How to become a proactive property manager
• How to maintain a fire-safe environment
• The warning signs of drug activity
• Actions to take if they suspect illegal activity on their property
• The role of the police
• Crisis resolution and the eviction process

Phase Two - Security Assessment

This phase will certify that the rental property has met the security requirements for the tenant’s safety, which include:

• Single cylinder deadbolt locks
• Security strike plates with 3-inch screws
• Door viewers (peepholes)
• Windows with adequate locks and anti-lift/anti-remove mechanisms for sliding doors
• Adequate security lighting

Phase Three - Resident Training

A meeting is held for the residents where crime watch and crime prevention techniques are discussed. The police, resident managers and residents work together to promote a "community." Topics discussed include:

• Personal safety tips
• Using 911
• Being proactive and getting to know your neighbors
• Operation Identification

How Do I Get Started?

The training schedule can be found through the Crime Prevention Association Training Calendar.