Exploring the Impact of Private Market Affordable Housing with Housing Connector

The Heart of Housing Pt 2: Exploring the Impact of Private Market Affordable Housing with RHAWA and Housing Connector

Welcome to the second installment of our multipart series, "The Heart of Housing." In this ongoing exploration, we continue our discussion on the positive impact of private market rental housing providers on our communities, juxtaposed with the challenges posed by anticapitalistic regulations. At the heart of this endeavor lies the crucial role of collaboration between public and private sectors in driving increased housing opportunities and community resilience. This month, we delve into highlights from an insightful conversation with Shkëlqim Kelmendi, Founder and CEO of Housing Connector—a tech-for-good nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to permanent housing for those most in need.

Housing Connector

Housing Connector has emerged as a leader of innovation and positive social impact in the realm of housing accessibility. Their mission is clear: to bridge the gap between individuals facing housing insecurity and private market rental housing providers. Utilizing innovative technology and a steadfast commitment to creating and maintaining authentic partnerships, Housing Connector embodies the ethos of collaboration. By reducing barriers to housing and providing ongoing support to both tenants and property owners, Housing Connector is not just connecting individuals to homes; they're fostering stronger, more resilient communities.

Interview Highlights 

Daniel: Tell me about the impact of the successful partnerships between Housing Connector and private market rental housing providers you work with.

Shkëlqim: To address the issue of housing insecurity and homelessness, you have to partner with property owners and managers in the private market. Right now, we work with over 2,000 properties, with over 115,000 rental units in their portfolios. We address their business needs and help support their bottom line, and in exchange, they open their doors to more and more people. Over the last four years, we have connected over 6,500 individuals into homes.

Daniel: Is there a certain kind of rental housing provider that Housing Connector works best with? Is it apartments, is it the small “mom and pops”, or a bit of both?

Shkëlqim: It is a bit of both! By volume size, we work with more multi-family and apartment buildings. Part of that is you can standardize processes which then allow you to get to scale. But also, what we know is that small property owners, “mom and pop” rental housing providers… that is where the naturally affordable units are. So for Housing Connector, we know that is a market we have to tap into because we do want those units to go away. And we have seen that in Seattle and across the U.S., where the naturally affordable units are being sold to investors because the small rental housing providers struggle to continue running their businesses, and those businesses have traditionally operated on thin margins already. We want to work with everyone who has housing and doors to open and is willing to say “yes”.

Daniel: What kinds of tenants does Housing Connector work with to house with rental housing providers?

Shkëlqim: Our main customer and clientele are folks who have some kind of blemishes in their rental history such as lower credit scores, someone that has a past eviction, maybe someone was involved with the criminal justice system before, and these barriers are making it difficult to access a home in their community. Housing Connector works with property owners and managers to reduce and waive rental criteria in order to create pathways to getting housed, while providing the support that both the tenants and rental housing provider need to ensure that it is a thriving household.

Daniel: Is there anything you want Rental Housing Association of Washington members to know about future collaboration opportunities and working together with Housing Connector?

Shkëlqim: I think oftentimes folks have trepidation in working with nonprofit providers and organizations. One of the things I want to make clear is that our customer is the property owner. The first principle of our organization is that we solve problems for property owners. The reason for that is that when we solve problems for you as the property owner, the property owner is able to solve problems for the community. When you work with Housing Connector, you will always have someone there who is walking by you to support you and the tenant. We don’t promise that everyone who moves in will be the most incredible resident or tenant. We can’t promise that. But we do promise that if something does happen, we will be right there to solve it.

Daniel: So you are helping the community by partnering with private-market rental housing providers, to provide safe and stable housing to people from all walks of life?

Shkëlqim: Absolutely. We are housing people like me. My family came to the U.S., as refugees and we had no credit scores and no rental history, and we had a property manager and rental housing provider that took a chance on our family. Housing Connector is trying to offer that same chance, at scale, and at the same time, help the housing providers by sustaining their operations and bottom line.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the dialogue between RHAWA and Housing Connector sheds light on the pivotal role of private market affordable housing in addressing housing insecurity, homelessness, and housing affordability. As we reflect on the insights shared in this conversation, it becomes abundantly clear that the need is great for rental housing providers of all sizes to continue to operate their business and provide housing so that people in need can have a place to call home. RHAWA remains committed to advocating against policies and regulations that may reduce the availability of housing for people of all income types and backgrounds. We extend our gratitude to Shkëlqim Kelmendi and Housing Connector for their remarkable work. To learn more about their efforts or get involved, we invite you to explore their website at housingconnector.com.