
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?
Tech’s Rising Influence on Housing

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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