Building Trust in Housing: Rob Boies on Solutions for the Tri-Cities

By Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre On the Face to Face, Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre had the pleasure of sitting down with Rob Boies, founder and CEO of Rented123.com and longtime housing advocate, to discuss the urgent challenges facing renters, landlords, and communities in the Tri-Cities.

Housing remains one of the most pressing issues in our region. Rising rents, limited supply, and mistrust between landlords and tenants have left many residents uncertain about where they fit in the marketplace. For Boies, this is not just a policy issue, but a deeply personal one rooted in his own experience. “I was raised by a single mom of five,” he explained. “We were lucky to have our own home, but I saw firsthand the struggles that other families went through just trying to keep a roof over their heads.”

Boies believes the solution requires more than waiting for government action. His initiative, Rented123.com, offers tools that help both landlords and tenants build trust, from affordable background checks to rent guarantees. “For as little as twenty dollars, a landlord can securely verify a tenant’s ID and credit profile,” Boies noted. “It gives peace of mind to landlords, while also giving good tenants the opportunity to prove themselves.”

Beyond technology, Boies points to the need for a cultural shift in how communities approach housing. He draws inspiration from international models, particularly Finland’s investment in long-term, accountable housing. “They focus on stability and responsibility, and they’re seeing homelessness drop dramatically. We can learn from that,” he said.

For Boies, the stakes are high. Housing, he argues, is about more than shelter. It is about belonging, dignity, and the health of the community. “We should all have safe, secure housing,” he emphasized. “And it is going to take courage from government, innovation from entrepreneurs, and support from everyday people to make that happen here in the Tri-Cities.”