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Housing Connector and Zillow: A Landmark Partnership to Combat Homelessness

In the backdrop of an unprecedented housing crisis in the United States, a unique public-private partnership has emerged between Housing Connector, a technology-driven nonprofit, and Zillow, the nation's most frequented real estate website and application. This collaboration has reached a significant milestone: assisting 10,000 individuals in securing stable housing. This initiative highlights the transformative potential of innovation when it meets the urgent need to tackle homelessness.

A Journey from Local to National

What started in Seattle in 2019 as a localized solution has now evolved into a national model that efficiently connects individuals who face barriers to accessing private market housing. Through Housing Connector's platform, aided by Zillow’s extensive technology, community organizations can seamlessly link vulnerable families and individuals to available housing units. This partnership closes a critical gap between housing availability and the needs of the population.

"Behind every door that is opened, there is a team and a community that fights against the notion that homelessness is inevitable," says Shkëlqim Kelmendi, the founder and CEO of Housing Connector. "This achievement shows that we can reimagine housing access in America. To effectively address homelessness, we require innovation, accountability, and the willingness to think differently. We are not just building a platform; we are creating a movement where housing is treated as infrastructure and not merely a response to a crisis."

Jennifer Butler, Zillow's Vice President of Government and Community Relations, adds, "This milestone exemplifies what is achievable when we collaborate with the right partners — government, nonprofits, and the private sector — all striving for a common goal: to make housing more accessible for everyone. At Zillow, we don’t just observe housing as listings and data; we see it as individuals, families, and futures. We are proud to promote a solution that meets this urgent moment and fosters community prosperity."

A Scalable Solution with National Reach

Since its inception, Housing Connector has transitioned from a single-city solution to a national housing stability infrastructure. Currently, the organization is active in eight markets across seven states, with plans to reach 15 markets and serve 30,000 individuals in the next three years. This model addresses homelessness from both ends:

• - Exit Flow: By unlocking vacant units and adjusting selection criteria, the inventory of available housing is increased, facilitating quicker access for those transitioning out of homelessness.
• - Input Flow: By preventing evictions and instability before they occur, this model disrupts the cycle of returning to homelessness.

Housing Connector’s adaptable design provides a crucial infrastructure layer that complements existing local homelessness service systems, enhancing capability rather than competing for resources. This dual approach fosters systemic resilience, ensuring that individuals not only find homes but also maintain the stability they need.

Leverage of Collaboration and Technology

Housing Connector's exclusive marketplace, integrated with Zillow’s rental technologies, simplifies what was once a daunting process for case managers with limited resources and families in crisis. This partnership utilizes real-time housing data and technological efficiency to convert vacant units into housing opportunities, bridging the gap between property owners and service providers with unprecedented speed and scale.

As federal housing funding fluctuates and public systems are strained, technology-driven efficiency becomes vital. With an average annual cost of $1,000 per household (compared to the $40,000 annual cost of sustaining an individual without housing in the public system), this partnership offers a scalable, high-return solution to a deeply human challenge. By merging Zillow's top-tier technology with Housing Connector's mission-driven design, this collaboration illustrates that innovation and empathy can coexist and thrive.

Celebrating 10,000 Stories

To commemorate this significant milestone of impact, Housing Connector and Zillow will jointly host the event "Open Doors: A Toast to 10,000 Stories" on October 9, 2025, in Seattle. This event will gather leaders from government, philanthropy, business, nonprofits, and the multifamily industry to celebrate transformed lives and envision the future.

As Housing Connector sets its sights on national expansion, this milestone serves as both a celebration and a call to action. It urges the expansion of partnerships, increased investment, and a reimagining of housing as a human right supported by market innovation.

Conclusion

Housing Connector, founded in 2019 in Seattle, is a technology-driven nonprofit that is redefining the private housing market as a solution to combating homelessness. By partnering with property owners to eliminate barriers for residents and directly connect them with available housing inventories, the organization increases access for those most in need, helping to ensure families remain in stable homes.

For more information, visit Housing Connector.
Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq Z and ZG) continues to transform the real estate sector, enabling more individuals to secure homes. With its suite of brands and tools, Zillow is dedicated to connecting people with their desired housing solutions efficiently and effectively.