SEATTLE — In the middle of one of the largest housing crises in American history, a collaboration between a tech-powered nonprofit and a major real estate platform is proving that innovation and humanity can work hand in hand to fight homelessness.

Housing Connector and Zillow, the nation’s most visited real estate app and website, announced that they have successfully helped 10,000 individuals and families secure stable homes. What began as a local initiative in Seattle in 2019 has now grown into a national model for bridging the gap between vacant housing and people in need.

Through the Housing Connector platform, powered by Zillow’s technology, local community organizations can connect people experiencing homelessness directly to property owners who have agreed to adjust traditional screening criteria. This simple yet powerful approach helps remove barriers that often prevent people from finding housing, transforming empty units into life-changing opportunities.

“Behind every door unlocked is a team and community that refuses to accept that homelessness is inevitable,” said Shkëlqim Kelmendi, founder and CEO of Housing Connector. “This milestone proves that we can reimagine housing access in America. By transforming how the private market engages with public need, we’re building a movement where housing is treated as infrastructure, not crisis response.”

“This milestone is a powerful example of what’s possible when the right partners come together—government, nonprofits, and the private sector—all working toward a shared goal: making housing more accessible for everyone,” added 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.”

Expanding a Scalable, Human-Centered Solution

Since launching, Housing Connector has expanded from a single-city program into a national infrastructure for housing stability, now operating in eight markets across seven states. The organization plans to grow to 15 markets and serve 30,000 people within the next three years.

Its model tackles homelessness from two directions:

• Outflow: Unlocking vacant rental units by modifying screening requirements and making them easier to find for families exiting homelessness.

• Inflow: Preventing evictions and housing instability before they happen to stop the cycle of reentry into homelessness.

By aligning the incentives of both private landlords and public agencies, Housing Connector strengthens local systems without competing for limited resources—creating a more resilient and responsive housing ecosystem.

Technology Driving Real Change

Housing Connector’s digital marketplace, integrated with Zillow Rentals technology, simplifies what was once a complicated process for under-resourced case managers and families in crisis. With real-time rental listings and direct communication tools, the system connects service providers and property owners faster and more efficiently than ever before.

The approach also delivers high-impact results at a fraction of the cost. Each household supported through Housing Connector costs around $1,000 annually, compared to $40,000 per year to support an unhoused individual through traditional public systems.

This model demonstrates how empathy and efficiency can coexist, using technology not just as a tool—but as a bridge to housing justice.

A Celebration of 10,000 Stories   

To mark this milestone, Housing Connector and Zillow will host “Doors Unlocked: A Toast to 10,000 Stories” on October 9, 2025, in Seattle. The celebration will gather leaders from government, philanthropy, business, and nonprofit organizations to honor the lives changed and to envision the next chapter of this movement.

As Housing Connector looks toward national expansion, the organization is calling for more partners and investors to join in reimagining housing as a human right supported by innovation and shared accountability.

About Housing Connector

Housing Connector is a tech-powered nonprofit transforming the private housing market into a tool for combating homelessness. The organization partners with property owners to remove barriers for tenants and directly connects them with available housing. Founded in Seattle in 2019, Housing Connector now operates in eight U.S. markets and continues to expand nationwide. Learn more at www.housingconnector.com.

About Zillow Group, Inc.

Zillow Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make home a reality for more people. As the most visited real estate app and website in the United States, Zillow connects people with digital tools, trusted professionals, and simplified experiences for buying, selling, financing, and renting homes. Its portfolio includes Zillow®, Zillow Home Loans℠, Zillow Rentals®, Trulia®, StreetEasy®, Out East®, HotPads®, ShowingTime+SM, Spruce®, and Follow Up Boss®.