Skip to main content
austintexas.gov

Action Navigation

  • 3-1-1
austintexas.gov
Search

Main menu

Home
  • Resident

    Resident

    Open the Resident page
      Open the Resident page
    • Household
      • Getting a Home
      • Utilities
      • Trash and Recycling
      • Austin Senior Services Hub
      • Gardening and Home Improvements
      • Home Improvements
      • Pets and Adoption
      Open the Household page
    • Neighborhoods
      • Education
      • Libraries
      • Families
      • Neighborhood Issues
      Open the Neighborhoods page
    • Health
      • Animals
      • Public Health
      Open the Health page
    • Public Safety
      • Crime
      • Courts
      • Fire Safety
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Safety Employment
      Open the Public Safety page
    • Arts and Leisure
      • Arts, History and Culture
      • Outdoor, Nature and Wildlife
      • Events
      • City Venues and Facilities
      • Film and Music
      Open the Arts and Leisure page
    • Environmental
      • City Programs and Initiatives
      • Conservation and Recycling
      • Animals and Wildlife
      • Parks
      Open the Environmental page
    • Transportation
      • Car/Bus
      • Aviation
      • Bicycle/Pedestrian
      • Streets/Maps
      Open the Transportation page
    • City of Austin
      • About Austin
      • Voting and Elections
      • Get Involved
      • City Jobs
      • Records and Documents
      Open the City of Austin page
  • Business

    Business

    Open the Business page
      Open the Business page
    • Doing Business
      • Utilities
      • Doing Business with the City
      • Taxes
      • MBE/WBE Program
      • City Code
      • Food Establishments
      • Permits
      • Day Labor
      • Records and Documents
      Open the Doing Business page
    • Starting Out
      • Starting a Business
      • Relocating a Business
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Starting Out page
    • City Contracts
    • Small Business Centers
      • Small Business Development
      • Incentives and Grants
      Open the Small Business Centers page
    • Austin Center for Events
    • Nonprofits
      • Grants
      Open the Nonprofits page
    • Green Resources
  • Government

    Government

    Open the Government page
      Open the Government page
    • City Council
    • City Manager's Office
    • Boards and Commissions
    • City Council meeting information
    • City Hall
    • Jobs
    • Public Records
  • Departments

    Departments

    View full directory of departments

    Frequently Viewed Departments

      View full directory of departments
    • Visit
      • Airport
      • Visitors Bureau
      • Convention Center
    • Utilities
      • Austin Energy
      • Austin Water
      • Resource Recovery
    • Education & Recreation
      • Library
      • Parks and Recreation
    • Safety
      • Police
    • Other
      • Animal Services
      • Development Services
      • Economic Development
  • Connect

    Connect

      Open the Connect page
    • Share ideas online about improving Austin
    • Participate in the City
    • Sign up for email updates
    • City contact information
Image of the Austin skyline.
  1. Departments
  2. Homeless Strategy Office
  3. City of Austin Partners with Housing Connector and Zillow to Expand Housing Access for Residents Facing Housing Instability

City of Austin Partners with Housing Connector and Zillow to Expand Housing Access for Residents Facing Housing Instability

  • Home
  • Services
  • Programs
  • Divisions
  • Media
  • News
  • FAQ
City of Austin Seal

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Apr. 01, 2025
Contact: Chrisola Webb        Email

Housing Connector, a nonprofit that uses Zillow-powered technology to remove barriers to housing and match people with vacant units, has officially launched in Austin. In partnership with the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, Housing Connector will connect property owners and managers with local nonprofit service providers to increase housing access for individuals and families in need and help them sustain it long-term.

“Housing Connector is built on the belief that no unit should sit vacant while there are people in need of a home,” said Shayna Dunitz, Managing Director of Housing Connector in Austin. “We are excited to bring our model to Austin and work alongside the City and local service providers to ensure more residents have access to stable housing.”

David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer at the City of Austin, emphasized the importance of innovative partnerships in addressing housing access: “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 partnered to help people with barriers get stably housed. The Zillow Rentals platform hosts the Housing Connector search platform, where property partners can upload available units, and local nonprofit service providers and their clients can find vacant inventory in real-time. Zillow’s search tool streamlines the housing search process for service providers, eliminating the need to manually check property eligibility and availability, offering renters long-term housing options that are instantly accessible through the platform. Housing Connector provides financial and tenant support to property owners and managers, who in return modify tenant screening criteria (such as credit score, income-to-rent ratio requirements, and rental history) for potential renters, making units accessible that previously were out of reach.

The majority of those targeted for support through the Housing Barrier Reduction Fund from the city of Austin earn less than $21,000 a year, while the typical rental in Austin costs $20,112, according to Zillow data. Housing Connector has already housed more than 9,000 residents across its existing markets and is committed to replicating that success in Austin.

“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,” said Shkelqim Kelmendi, CEO of Housing Connector.

Many local organizations are already engaged in seeing how Housing Connector’s platform can support their work. For more information about Housing Connector, visit www.housingconnector.com or contact Shayna Dunitz at ShaynaD@housingconnector.com.

To learn more about homelessness in Austin, please visit www.austintexas.gov/homelessness

Share

City of Austin

Footer Menu

  • Get information or assistance
  • Give feedback on our website
  • Site Map
  • Public Records
  • City Council Message Board
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Second Footer Menu

  • Visit Austin
  • City Directory
  • Jobs
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Notice
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS