An illustration of five people standing in front of a digitized fence. They are all facing a digital fence that is blocking their path to blue high rise homes. Some of the homes have have lights on inside and "Apt. Available" signs in orange. There is a closed fence door.

Under the Lens

How Tech is Changing Housing

Shelterforce’s new Under the Lens series explores the growing use of technology in the housing world. Can the proper guardrails be put in place so “innovative” tools don’t make the housing crisis worse?

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A person wearing glasses sits at a table with his hands on the keyboard of a laptop. On the screen is a denial for an application
Reported Article

Tenant Screening: A Billion-Dollar Industry with Little Oversight. What’s Being Done to Protect Renters?

Thousands of companies offer tenant screening tools that promise to make life easier for landlords and property managers. But reports show that the data these companies use is often riddled with errors and relies on information that has no bearing on whether someone will be a good tenant.

Closeup of a young woman in a yellow sweater and white shirt using her smartphone while sitting on a sofa in a bright living room.
Reported Article

Tech Tools Help Tenants Push Back Against Problematic Landlords

We’ve found more than a dozen examples of tenant-serving technology that help renters identify landlords, respond to eviction, fight back against housing discrimination, and more.

A black man, who is wearing glasses and holding a black and white tablet, speaks from a podium. He is wearing a yellow shirt and a brown striped jacket. In front the podium is a purple sign that reads, Responsible AI Symposium.
Reported Article

Training AI to Tackle Bias in the Mortgage Industry

As the mortgage industry becomes further automated, can artificial intelligence be trained to avoid replicating historic bias and expand access to loans for excluded borrowers? Some housing advocates are cautiously optimistic.

Two young women in casual clothes in a modern office. On the far wall, a sign says "AT Research & Design Lab/Provided in Memory of Carol Ann"—with the rest of the name obscured by one of the women. Pegboard on the adjoining wall holds various tools, and the shelves contain boxes and software.
Reported Article

How Affordable Housing Providers Are Embracing Tech to Manage Housing

New software and web-based applications help speed up the recertification process for voucher holders, give tenants an easier way to request repairs and communicate with staff, and help disabled residents live more independent lives.

A woman with short, red hair and glasses speaks in front of a podium.
Reported Article

Researchers are Using AI to Get a Clearer Picture of Housing in the U.S.

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Seattle, Washington, USA downtown skyline with Mt. Rainier.
Reported Article

Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software

In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.

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