About Us: Affordable Housing Database
Curious about how we collect and update our Affordable Housing data, shared on our website?
Finding affordable housing in Santa Clara County shouldn’t feel like solving a mystery—but it does! We couldn’t find a single reliable source that truly worked, so, about four years ago, we built our own database of affordable housing properties.
From the start, we knew it wouldn’t be easy. Every city and property manager posts information in different formats (if they post it at all), and many popular online tools are vague, outdated, or missing key details. So, several talented volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work—gathering data from property management websites, HUD lists, city directories, and word-of-mouth from our community partners.
What really sets our Affordable Housing database apart? The way we keep it updated!
Every day, our system checks hundreds of websites and flags changes. Volunteers review these, then update our database. All the edits are double-checked for accuracy by other volunteers. Sometimes, we even call or visit properties directly to verify information, such as rent amounts or income limits. Trevor, our volunteer Chief Technology Officer, says “We look at things like availability, rent, and income limits, which are changing all the time. Without a central repository like the one we provide, it’s almost impossible for a prospective tenant to stay on top of all that.”
It’s not perfect, but we believe our tool is the most complete and up-to-date affordable housing list for Santa Clara County available to the public. We’re proud to have technically skilled—and persistent—volunteers who fill gaps so we can offer this free resource—because we know it helps real people find real places to live.
When housing information is scattered, we bring it together—because everyone deserves a chance to find a place to call home.
Testimonials
- Thanks for this excellent tool (Find Affordable Housing). I share your link with all my low-income seniors calling for housing assistance. I feel you and the UEO group are filling a critical void for SCC with a versatile and easy to use tool. (I like the checklist form, that’s a nice bonus.)” -Mike S., Senior Living Advisor, Oasis Senior Advisors SV
- “These tools have been incredibly helpful to me and the families I serve. Thank you.” -Christina R, Navigator, SCC Office of Education
- “I made good use of The United Effort’s Find Affordable Housing tool and I recommend it to others. It’s a gem.” -”Gordon”, veteran, former client of The United Effort