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Welcome to
Housing Connector
Housing Connector Overview
Once you are signed up and verified by your employer, follow the training below to use Housing Connector.
1
Receive
Zillow Onboarding Email
2
Apply HC
Filter on Zillow
3
Search For Housing
4
Apply with HC Letter of Support
5
Submit Move-In Form
6
Stability Support After Move-In
STEP 1
Sign Up for Housing Connector
Complete the sign-up form at the link provided by your employer*. Once your employment is verified (usually within 1-3 business days), you’ll receive an onboarding email from Zillow with instructions on how to sign-in and begin your housing search.
*If you have lost your link to the sign-up page, please contact your HR team.
STEP 2 - Desktop
Searching and Applying for Housing on Your Computer
Once you are signed in with your Housing Connector enabled account, go to Zillow Rentals, choose More in the search filters and scroll down to select 'Accepts Housing Connector'.
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STEP 2 - Mobile
Searching and Applying for Housing on Your Mobile Device
On mobile web browser: Go to Rent, navigate to Other Amenities within Filters, and select Accepts Housing Connector.
On Zillow mobile app: Go to Filters, click For Rent, scroll down to Rental Amenities, and select Accepts Housing Connector.
STEP 4
Apply with Letter of Support
Attach your Letter of Support (located in your Housing Connector onboarding email) to your housing application.
FAQs
What is Housing Connector?
Housing Connector is a tech-for-good nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing access to housing for individuals in need. Housing Connector partners with property managers and owners to adjust or reduce screening criteria (credit, rental history, etc.) that can often be a barrier for people seeking private market housing. Housing Connector also provides properties with two years of housing stability support for all participants in our program.
How do I access this program?
Speak with your HR representative to receive your companies unique sign up form. Once you provide basic information and your employer verifies your employment status, you will receive onboarding materials and access to the Housing Connector Zillow platform to begin your housing search journey.
Do I have to pay for this service?
No, this service is free and provided by your employer.
What are "reduced screening criteria"?
Screening criteria are a set of factors which property managers and owners use to accept or deny applicants. Housing Connector negotiates with properties to modify their screening criteria in areas like credit score, past debt, income-to-rent ratio, rental history, criminal history, and past evictions, therefore lowering the barriers to housing access.
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For example, consider a property that traditionally only accepts individuals with zero evictions in the last three years and a credit score of 650+. With Housing Connector, that same property might accept any credit score and 2 evictions in the last 2 years for applicants coming from our program.
What is the benefit of searching for housing with the Housing Connector/Zillow platform?
You will have access to units that have reduced screening criteria across six possible categories: credit score, past debt, income-to-rent ratio, rental history, criminal history, past evictions. Quickly search and filter for housing by geography, rental cost, size, and other preferences – and know right way if you will qualify for the unit. You can search for Housing Connector inventory on Zillow.com or via Zillow’s app, which is available on both Android and iOS.
You will also benefit from light touch housing stability and eviction prevention support if you run into any issues which may threaten your housing stability.
What sort of financial benefits are offered?
Housing Connector offers 3-months of emergency rental assistance and other stability resources for employees once housed in a Housing Connector unit.
These benefits can ONLY be accessed if a move-in form has been submitted within one month of tenancy.
If an employee has an emergency which prevents them from making some or all of their rental payment, they can reach out to employeesupport@housingconnector.com to start the financial request process. This process requires a housing stability plan and regular updates with the Housing Connector Stability Support Manager. Please ensure your contact information is up to date on your self-referral form so we may contact you.
I'm not finding any units that I want to apply to. What should I do?
New units are added daily so keep checking back to find a unit which may be a good match for you! You can also reach out to employeesupport@housingconnector.com for navigation support.
How will I let a property or manager know I am a part of Housing Connector?
After signing up, you will receive a Housing Connector Letter of Support via email from Housing Connector. You can download, save, and print this letter for future use. The Letter of Support must be included in all housing applications sent to Housing Connector properties. The Letter verifies for the property that you are part of the Housing Connector program and should be screened according to the reduced screening criteria.
Will my manager find out that I'm using Housing Connector?
Your participation in this program will only be known to your HR Department as they will need to verify your employment status for participation. However, details of your participation will not be shared with your manager without your explicit permission and will not impact your employment.
What information will my employer be able to access about me and my housing search?
Your employer’s HR department will know that you have entered the program, but they will not receive specific information about you or your housing search. They will also keep your participation in the program confidential.
My lease isn't up for another few months; how long is this program available to me?
Housing Connector is new and will roll out over the next 12 months. Once you have secured stable housing via Housing Connector, you will receive the two years of housing stability support from Housing Connector, whether the roll out period continues.
What are my responsibilities?
You are expected to follow lease agreements, including paying rent on time every month, and adhering to behavioral guidelines set forth by the property. In the case of a lease violation, the property notifies us, and a Housing Connector Stability Specialist will contact you to provide support.
Who pays the application fee and move-in costs?
Housing Connector does not cover move-in costs or application fees. If this will inhibit your ability to move, please reach out to employeesupport@housingconnector.com for a list of resources.
How long does this process take?
It takes less than one week to gain access to the platform. Once you gain access, the time it takes to find, apply to, and get approved at a home that fits your needs will vary.
What happens if I get denied?
We reduce screening criteria, but our program cannot guarantee approval. If your housing application is denied by one of our property partners, there are a few steps you can take. First, check the reduced screening criteria details and make sure that you meet the property’s criteria. Second, request a copy of the screening report and any other official documentation related to the denial. If you still feel that you have been wrongfully denied during the application process, reach out to Housing Connector and we can help.
Are family and friends allowed to access this program?
No, this program is just for the employee working with a registred organization and those that they live with.
What if I leave my employer within the next two years after getting housed?
If you have found housing with Housing Connector before leaving your employer, you will still receive access to Housing Connector’s stability support services for the full two years. If you leave your employer before finding housing, you will lose access to the Housing Connector Zillow filter after 30 days.
What happens if I lose/leave employment while I am in the process of getting housed?
If you lose/leave employment before you are officially housed, you will have 30 days of access to the Housing Connector filter on Zillow. Afterwards, your access will be revoked. If you find a unit and move-in before that 30-day grace period expires, you can still move into that unit and benefit from the Housing Connector program for two years.
What areas can I search for housing with Housing Connector?
In the Western Washington area across King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.
Could my participation affect my employment?
Your participation in Housing Connector will not affect your employment in any way.