Zillow Project Helps 3,700 Homeless Find Places to Live

Seattle-based Zillow is celebrating the three-year anniversary of Housing Connector, a program that helps match homeless people with affordable vacant units. The Zillow-powered technology has successfully placed 3,754 people in homes since the fall of 2019. The project, currently in the Seattle and Denver markets, will expand in 2023.

“Our program was designed to make sure that no home sits empty while there are people in need of a roof over their heads,” said Shkëlqim Kelmendi, founder of Housing Connector. “This business-to-business approach is a win for everyone, serving as a bridge for property owners with vacant apartments to connect with case managers and ready-to-rent tenants.”

Properties enrolled in the program adjust or waive criteria for residents and list their property through Zillow’s search tool that is only accessible to case managers and their clients. Once a client is matched to an available affordable home, Housing Connector provides them with two years of guaranteed housing stability support. In exchange, property owners receive access to financial and mitigation support.