At Zillow, our tagline is "Find your way home." With more than half a million people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. last year, and almost one-third of rental households living below the Federal Poverty Level according to Zillow internal data, we think it is important to help all renters find their way home. This is the driving force behind a new program launching this week: Community Pillars.

There is a huge population in this country that has the means to pay for rent, often through housing vouchers or other subsidies, but, with vacancy rates at an all-time low, is unable to secure housing in an increasingly competitive rental market. Property managers and landlords tend to choose applicants with long employment histories, good credit scores and solid housing references - leaving low-income and homeless people without reliable housing.

In an effort to connect these renters with property managers and landlords who may have a unit that fits their needs, Zillow is building out the Community Pillar program. Participating property managers and landlords will receive a Community Pillar badge on their profile. This badge indicates that they will consider modifying their standard tenant-screening process to help applicants with potential rental barriers obtain housing. Renters will be able to search the Zillow Directory for Community Pillars, view their active listings and contact them directly.

As a property manager or landlord, there are several reasons to consider joining this program:

  • Many regions have programs that provide financial and social support for property managers and landlords who are willing to rent to tenants with rental barriers, taking the risk out of participating.
  • Connecting with a renter base that has the means to pay rent and the need for reliable housing will ensure lower vacancy rates at your properties.
  • Being a Community Pillar is not a contractual obligation. It only indicates that you are open to modifying your screening criteria to help people secure housing.

Connecting homeless and low-income renters with property managers and landlords who can help them find housing is a tough problem to solve, but we believe that if anyone can do it, Zillow can. With the largest rental network on the Web, and millions of rental shoppers who already know and trust our brand, we feel we are well positioned to make an impact. Please help us help everyone find their way home by becoming a Community Pillar, and encourage other property managers or landlords you know to join the program as well.

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