Include and Empower. This value runs deeply through Zillow, informing everything from key business and product decisions to the way employees show up for one another every day.
It’s the backbone of Zillow’s social impact program and has inspired efforts like the company’s collaboration with Seattle nonprofit Housing Connector on a rental search tool that connects private landlords with the people most in need of housing. Today, Puget Sound Business Journal honored Zillow with the 2020 Corporate Champion, Neighborhood and Communities Award. It recognizes Zillow for its partnership with Housing Connector, highlighting the positive impact of eliminating systemic barriers that many people face in finding a home.
“The Housing Connector search tool is the kind of innovative, creative, and impactful solution that can come from uniting our people and technology with the expertise of local community partners,” says Dawn Lyon, Zillow’s Chief Corporate Relations Officer, who virtually accepted the award on Zillow’s behalf. “The value of home has never been greater, and it’s critical that we continue to shine a light on and address the systemic barriers to housing that too many members of our communities face.”
The search tool addresses a big challenge nonprofit case managers have: the time it takes to manually search through rental listings that are available and affordable for clients who are experiencing homelessness. Now, Housing Connector landlords quickly upload their available units to Zillow; the case managers go to Zillow and see a complete set of homes for rent, where landlords have adjusted or waived criteria that often disqualify people most in need of housing.
The value of home has never been greater and it’s critical that we continue to shine a light on and address the systemic barriers to housing that too many members of our communities face
Dawn Lyon
To date, Housing Connector has helped 860 people find homes, 70% of whom are people of color.
Housing Connector is just one example of social impact technology integrated into Zillow’s home listings. The company recently added information on local legal protections that help LGBTQ+ home shoppers find communities who welcome them.
To learn how to get involved with connecting landlords to renters experiencing barriers to housing, contact Housing Connector today. Check out the open roles on our expanding Social Impact Product Team on Zillow’s Careers page