Affordable Housing Initiative – Housing Industry Foundation

About the AHI Program

Please note, we are not accepting new applications for this program.

As housing in the Bay Area continues to be an acute challenge, HIF recognizes the need to support working families that educate our children and provide services to the community. Many families earn too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to be stably housed.

Through our extensive network of landlords and property management companies, HIF matches qualified applicants living in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties (particularly those in the education, non-profit and other community-based sectors) who fall in the 50-80% of Average Median Income (AMI) to affordable housing at up to 50% below market rates for up to three years. Households that are close to this range, will be considered depending on circumstances and their overall financial picture.

For questions, please contact HIF at
AHI@hifinfo.org.

While there are an estimated 150,000 homeless people statewide, there are 300,000 people in the Bay Area alone with $400 or less to cope with a financial emergency and are on the verge of homelessness.

– Department of Housing & Urban Development, 2019

Featured Stories

Julianne’s Story

Julianne is a dedicated middle school English teacher who was born and raised in San Jose. Passionate about teaching in the community she loves, she faced a significant challenge: the high cost of living in the area. With the majority of her income going towards rent, she struggled to afford groceries and teaching expenses. Faced with the possibility of moving to Bend Oregon with her parents to save money, Julianne would have had to leave both her home and her students behind. Fortunately, her colleague referred her to HIF’s Affordable Housing Initiative.

Tim and LeeAnn’s Story

Tim and LeeAnn applied for AHI at the beginning of 2024 and successfully moved into their apartment in July of the same year. At the time, Tim was working as a special education teacher and faced challenges after his partner lost her job. The family struggled to manage rent, daily expenses, and the additional costs of maintaining Tim’s teaching credentials and licenses, all of which created a substantial financial burden. AHI provided an ability to stay local and continue serving the community, while also allowing the family to focus on financial stability and career growth.

Manuela’s Journey

Manuela applied to AHI in April 2024, when she was looking for affordable housing options for herself and family. Manuela and her husband wanted to be able to provide more space for their son, but were growing discouraged at the cost of rent. As a Bay Area native and a dedicated teacher, Manuela has always [...]

Michelle’s Journey

Michelle first applied for AHI in April 2024, and was moved into her new apartment in June 2024. Michelle works for a non-profit in San Mateo County and was struggling with the increasing costs of the Bay Area. “The AHI program provided invaluable support and resources, enabling me to focus on my health and recovery while continuing to serve my community. AHI’s assistance has been instrumental in helping me regain financial stability. My passion for serving the community is driven by my lived experience, and I find deep fulfillment in helping others navigate the system to achieve stability.”