North Austin News

Housing Connector, a nonprofit organization utilizing Zillow-powered technology, has launched operations in Austin. This initiative, in collaboration with the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, aims to connect property owners with local nonprofits to enhance housing access for individuals and families experiencing housing instability.

According to Shayna Dunitz, Managing Director of Housing Connector in Austin, “Housing Connector is built on the belief that no unit should sit vacant while there are people in need of a home.” Dunitz expressed excitement in bringing the model to Austin and working with the city and local service providers to ensure greater access to stable housing for residents.

David Gray, the Homeless Strategy Officer at the City of Austin, highlighted the value of innovative partnerships in tackling housing access challenges. He said, “Housing Connector’s model is a valuable addition to our efforts to increase housing opportunities in Austin. By bridging the gap between property owners and service providers, they bring a solution-oriented approach that benefits both landlords and residents in need.”

Since 2019, Housing Connector and Zillow have collaborated to assist people with housing barriers. The Zillow Rentals platform hosts the Housing Connector search tool, allowing property partners to list available units while enabling service providers and clients to find vacant units in real-time. The platform streamlines the housing search for service providers, removing the need to manually verify property eligibility, thus providing renters with accessible long-term housing options.

The initiative targets individuals earning less than $21,000 annually, while the average rental cost in Austin is $20,112, based on Zillow data. Housing Connector has already provided housing for more than 9,000 residents in other markets and aims to replicate this success in Austin.

Shkelqim Kelmendi, CEO of Housing Connector, commented on the collaborative approach necessary to address the housing crisis. “We know that solving the housing crisis requires collaboration, and our approach is designed to align incentives so that everyone wins—residents, property owners, and service providers,” he stated.

Local organizations are exploring how Housing Connector’s platform may enhance their work. Further information on Housing Connector can be found at www.housingconnector.com, or contact Shayna Dunitz at ShaynaD@housingconnector.com. To learn more about homelessness in Austin, visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness.