Amid one of the most severe housing crises in U.S. history, Зиллоу и Housing Connector, a tech-powered nonprofit, are celebrating a milestone in combating бездомность. Together, the organizations have helped 10,000 people find stable homes.
What began in 2019 as a local solution in Сиэтл has evolved into a national model for unlocking private-market housing for individuals and families facing barriers.
Through the Housing Connector platform — powered by Зиллоу technology — community-based organizations can quickly match people in need with housing providers offering vacant units and adjusted screening criteria.
“Behind every door unlocked is a team and community that refuses to accept that homelessness is inevitable,” Shkëlqim Kelmendi, founder and CEO of Housing Connector, said in a statement. “This milestone proves that we can re-imagine housing access in America. By transforming how the private market engages with public need, we’ve shown that solving homelessness requires innovation, accountability, and courage to do things differently.
“We’re not just building a platform, we’re building a movement where housing is treated as infrastructure, not crisis response.”
Since its inception, Housing Connector has grown from a single-city effort into a national infrastructure for housing stability, now operating in eight markets across seven states.
The organization plans to reach 15 markets and 30,000 people over the next three years.
“This milestone is a powerful example of what’s possible when we bring the right partners to the table — government, nonprofits, and the private sector — all working toward a shared goal: making housing more accessible for everyone,” said Jennifer Butler, vice president of government and community relations at Zillow.
“At Zillow, we see housing not just as listings and data, but as people, families, and futures. We’re proud to power a solution that meets the urgency of this moment and helps communities thrive.”
Partnership and technology
Housing Connector’s proprietary marketplace, integrated with Zillow’s аренда technology, simplifies what was once an overwhelming process for case managers and families in crisis.
The partnership leverages real-time housing data and технологии to connect property owners and service providers.
At an average annual cost of $1,000 per household — compared with $40,000 annually for public systems to support an unhoused neighbor — the partnership offers a high-impact, scalable solution, leaders said.
To commemorate this historic milestone, Housing Connector and Zillow were co-hosting an event, “Doors Unlocked: A Toast to 10,000 Stories,” on Thursday in Seattle.
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