AAA announces partnership with Housing Connector!
The Austin Apartment Association (AAA) is proud to announce our official partnership with Housing Connector, an innovative organization working to increase housing accessibility.
Housing Connector (HC) works with properties to list vacant units on HC’s Zillow rental platform. HC asks that properties who list units modify tenant criteria (credit score, income-to-rent-ratio or rental history) for potential applicants. This crucial step aims to make housing attainable for individuals who might otherwise face significant barriers.
In exchange for reducing these screening criteria for applicants in need of stable housing, participating properties receive risk mitigation support and financial incentives. HC’s community partners can then readily identify available units for their clients, facilitating successful placements into stable homes. Potential residents are supported by local case managers, possess the income necessary to pay rent, and will receive two years of ongoing stability support once housed.
Housing Connector has a proven track record, currently operating in Western Washington, Denver, Colorado, Dallas, Texas, and Portland, Oregon, and has successfully housed over 9,000 residents.
The importance of this partnership is underscored by the 2025 point-in-time count, which identified 1577 unsheltered and 1661 sheltered individuals currently facing homelessness in Austin, Texas (ECHO 2025 Point In Time Policy Brief). While the City of Austin has dedicated significant financial resources to support our unhoused neighbors, an estimated $100 million in additional homelessness funding is still needed.
According to Zillow, it costs a community on average $45,000 per year to support a person experiencing homelessness while Housing Connector’s solution has an average cost of $2000. This innovative solution has proven successful in other markets, and we are glad to have it here in Austin, Texas.
AAA members interested in learning more about how to get involved with Housing Connector are encouraged to contact our Government and Community Affairs Director, Hannah Garcia.
Stay tuned for further information regarding Housing Connector’s involvement with the association, including upcoming educational opportunities and ways to connect!