aptfinder.org is a non-profit corporation of Multifamily Affordable Properties (MAP). The mission of MAP is to make affordable housing resources available to the people who need it.

PURPOSE

MAP was formed to connect the people who need affordable housing to the available housing resources through the creation and maintenance of this web site. Properties listed on our site include subsidized and non-subsidized communities, with income and rent restrictions for low income families, individuals, senior and persons with disabilities. Our goal is to offer options for locating affordable apartments, by listing a variety of low-income, government funded programs offered right here in Washington State.

DONATIONS

Our project needs you to keep this wonderful resource going! Please make a donation now to keep valuable affordable housing referral services available for everyone! Contact Sheila King for donation information!.

THE HISTORY BEHIND MAP

The concept of MAP was first discussed by members of the Affordable Housing Management Association (AHMA) of Washington, who had prospective tenants calling them to complain that existing information sources were inaccurate or unavailable. Some of the AHMA board members and other housing professionals decided that a new affordable housing resource was needed, and that the best approach would be to attempt to gather a large amount of the affordable housing information in one place on an internet web site. As a result, Multifamily Affordable Properties, or MAP, was formed in April of 1999 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the State of Washington. In July of 1999, MAP received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.

Board members of MAP have affiliations with AHMA, which represents owners and managers of a vast majority of HUD units in Washington State, and the Affordable Rural Housing Council (ARCH of WA), which represents owners and managers of USDA Rural Development (formerly the Farmers Home Administration) housing units in Washington.

With the dedication of our board, sponsors and listing properties over these many years, we have been able to sustain what we feel is an invaluable resource for linking affordable housing to people who need it the most.

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

• From an applicant's perspective, there is no efficient way to locate available affordable housing resources.
• Websites that advertise a single affordable apartment opening often frustrate applicants when they do not qualify for that particular apartment income or eligibility criteria.
• For housing providers, especially in rural areas, there is no reliable way to advertise or market available units beyond traditional local newspapers. Available affordable apartments remain unknown to qualified applicants in need of housing.
• Section 8 contracts are expiring, giving some owners the opportunity to opt out of the program and convert their projects to market rate, therefore increasing the number of applicants searching for affordable housing.
• Government and private housing providers that have their own web sites are often limited - reflecting only properties within their own government program or housing portfolio.
• Web advertising often costs private housing providers hundreds of dollars per year, but fail to attract qualified low income applicants to their affordable properties.
• Information through apartment listings sometimes becomes outdated, which can lead to confusion.
• There is a need for more collaboration between and among housing providers and other social service providers.

MAP had addressed these challenges by offering applicants a wide variety of search capabilities and informative property listings to find the most suitable community for themselves and their families. Each property listing is placed on our website by the properties themselves. Listing properties can explain their criteria, rent structure, amenities and much more and they can update their information at any time.

Affordable housing providers now have a very cost effective way to advertise and attract qualified low income renters to their communities. In addition, advertising with aptfinder.org can help to meet any government program requirement to advertise such as their Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing plan.

PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY

MAP's business plan during its start-up period was to utilize donations from community-oriented funders such as banks, service and advocacy organizations, semi-public government entities involved in housing, and private sources. No wages are paid to board members, and there are no benefits to board members other than having the opportunity to participate in MAP and the potential to transform affordable housing accessibility.

After the initial start-up year was established through donations, the small charge to listing properties of $2.00 per unit per year to list, with no additional update fees, helps sustain our website. DONATIONS are always accepted to help fund enhancements to our site and bring the most up-to-date information to the low income public searching for affordable housing.

SPECIAL THANKS

The following organizations have generously offered their financial support:

MAP'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS