HIP Housing

What HIP Housing does

HIP Housing, legally Human Investment Project, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing organization founded in August 1972 and headquartered in San Mateo, California. It operates exclusively within San Mateo County's 20 municipalities and runs three core direct-service programs: the Home Sharing Program, which matches homeowners with spare rooms or ADUs to renters seeking affordable housing; the Self Sufficiency Program, which provides housing and supportive services to parents and emancipated foster youth enrolled in school; and the Housing Readiness Program, which delivers one-on-one navigation through the local affordable housing landscape. The organization also owns and operates affordable housing properties including Redwood Oaks (47-unit Section 8), Cherry Street Commons, and the Cedar SHARE Home.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary HIP Housing Affordable Ventures (HHAV), HIP Housing extends into third-party property management and Below Market Rate (BMR) and Inclusionary Housing Compliance Services for affordable housing owners and developers, currently managing compliance for over 400 units. Revenue mechanics blend donations, foundation and government grants, fundraising events, program coordination fees, and HHAV property management and compliance fees (setup, move-in, and recurring monthly/quarterly fees). Go-to-market is community-led: referrals from municipal partners, volunteer networks, community tabling, digital channels (website, blog, email, social), and direct B2B contracts with developers and property owners. Cross-sector development partnerships with the County of San Mateo, City of Redwood City, CREA, Greystar Real Estate Partners, Premia Capital, Silicon Valley Bank, Gunkel Architecture, and Nibbi Brothers Construction underpin both property development and program expansion.

In FY 2022-2023 the organization housed 1,184 people and fielded inquiries from approximately 3,000 individuals annually. The 2024 debt-free purchase of a 7,500 sq ft permanent headquarters at 111 E. 5th Avenue in San Mateo institutionalized its Anchor Institution status, supported by a $1.5M Capital Campaign. Core technology is intentionally minimal — Google Hangouts Meet for virtual interviews, HelloSign for digital applications, and a Stanford-built database tool for information and referral tracking — with no proprietary AI/ML or platform architecture. Recognition includes 2025 San Mateo County Nonprofit of the Year, 2020 Business Woman of the Year for Executive Director Kate Comfort Harr, Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, and Candid Platinum Transparency.

Name

HIP Housing

Legal name

Human Investment Project, Inc.

Website

https://hiphousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HIP Housing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that delivers affordable housing programs and property management services across San Mateo County, California, serving seniors, families, foster youth, and property owners through home sharing, self-sufficiency, housing readiness, and compliance services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Senior & Transitional Monthly Housing (THAMAFAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Home sharing program
• Property management services
• BMR compliance services
• Housing navigation support

Headquarters

HQ city

San Mateo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: HIP Housing relies on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The organization conducts annual fundraising events and campaigns including a Capital Campaign to raise funds for building renovations.
2. Property Management Services: HIP Housing Affordable Ventures (HHAV) provides third-party property management services for affordable housing owners and BMR/Inclusionary Housing Compliance Services with setup fees, move-in fees, and monthly/quarterly compliance fees.
3. Program Fees: Revenue from various housing programs including Home Sharing Program coordination fees, Self Sufficiency Program services, and Housing Readiness Program support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HIP Housing is a nonprofit that delivers direct affordable housing programs in San Mateo County: the Home Sharing Program matches homeowners with renters seeking below-market housing; the Self Sufficiency Program provides housing plus supportive services for parents and emancipated foster youth in school; the Housing Readiness Program offers one-on-one housing navigation support; and through its HHAV subsidiary it provides third-party property management and Below Market Rate (BMR) / Inclusionary Housing compliance services to property owners and developers.

Product overview

HIP Housing is a nonprofit affordable housing organization serving San Mateo County since 1972. Their offering consists of multiple interconnected housing programs: the Home Sharing Program matches homeowners with renters; the Self Sufficiency Program supports parents/foster youth in school with housing; the Housing Readiness Program provides one-on-one housing navigation support; and Properties/For Developers and Owners manages affordable housing development and listings. Their subsidiary, HIP Housing Affordable Ventures (HHAV), provides property management and BMR Compliance Services for affordable housing owners. Key properties include Redwood Oaks (Section 8), Cherry Street Commons, and Cedar SHARE Home.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Sharing Program Matches San Mateo County homeowners who have a spare room or ADU with screened renters seeking affordable housing. Staff facilitates the entire process including virtual interviews via Google Hangouts Meet, application processing through HelloSign, reference checks, virtual tours, and Living Together Agreement signing with ongoing follow-up support.
• Self Sufficiency Program Provides housing and support services for low-income parents or emancipated foster youth who are enrolled in school, including the SHARE Homes portfolio of affordable shared housing properties.
• Housing Readiness Program One-on-one housing navigation coaching that empowers San Mateo County community members to navigate the complex local housing landscape, build housing readiness, and connect to affordable housing options.
• HIP Housing Affordable Ventures (HHAV) Property Management Third-party, full-service property management for affordable housing owners through HIP Housing's nonprofit property management division. Manages properties financed using Low Income Housing Tax Credit, Multi-family Housing Program, Section 8, CalHFA, HOME, and CDBG funding.
• Below Market Rate (BMR) and Inclusionary Housing Compliance Services Compliance program serving property owners and developers required to include below-market-rate units in market-rate developments. Provides income certification, annual recertifications, and detailed reporting to governing jurisdictions, with setup fees, move-in fees, and monthly or quarterly compliance fees based on number of units.
• Information and Referral Program Program providing ongoing support to the approximately 3,000 people who contact HIP Housing every year for affordable housing information and resources, backed by a custom database tool developed with Stanford University students to help staff track and follow up with community members in need.
• Redwood Oaks Affordable Housing Property 47-unit Section 8 housing property in Redwood City, CA for residents earning 50% or below San Mateo County's average median income. Owned and operated by HIP Housing Development Corporation since 1999, rebuilt in partnership with Redwood City, County of San Mateo, and CREA.
• Cherry Street Commons Affordable housing property in San Mateo County currently accepting applications, part of the SHARE Homes affordable properties portfolio supporting the Self Sufficiency Program.
• Cedar SHARE Home SHARE Home located in the City of San Carlos's Howard Park Neighborhood, part of the Self Sufficiency Program affordable properties portfolio offering shared housing arrangements.
• Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund Emergency relief program created to help ease client burdens during COVID-19, distributing rental assistance, child care assistance, and basic necessities support across 230 households in San Mateo County.
• Adopt a Family Program Holiday program connecting donors with families in need, providing gifts and seasonal support during the holiday season for families served by HIP Housing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,184 people housed in FY 2022-2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• National Shared Housing NetworkminorOthers · 1 January 2024HIP Housing is a member of the National Shared Housing Network, connecting the organization to shared housing best practices and resources nationwide.
• CoviaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 March 2023Covia provides home match services in San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Monterey County. HIP Housing refers residents outside San Mateo County to Covia.
• Echo HousingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 March 2023Echo Housing provides home match services in Livermore and Pleasanton. HIP Housing refers residents outside San Mateo County to Echo Housing.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2021HIP Housing is working with graduate and undergraduate students from Stanford University on a new Information and Referral Program. The Stanford team is helping prepare a case statement and business plan to apply for funding to launch the program, and created a database tool to help staff better track and follow-up with community members in need.
• Gunkel ArchitecturemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2020Gunkel Architecture provided architectural design services for Redwood Oaks rehabilitation project.
• Nibbi Brothers ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2020Nibbi Brothers Construction served as general contractor for Redwood Oaks rehabilitation project.
• Greystar Real Estate PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020HIP Housing partnered with Greystar Real Estate Partners on an affordable housing component of their South Main mixed-use project in Redwood City, scheduled for completion in 2023.
• Premia CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020HIP Housing worked with Premia Capital to apply their commercial impact fee to the acquisition of a 10-unit property on Rolison Road.
• Redwood CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with Redwood City to rebuild Redwood Oaks property from the ground up as part of cross-sector collaboration for housing preservation.
• County of San MateocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with County of San Mateo for Redwood Oaks rehabilitation and ongoing affordable housing initiatives across the county.
• CREAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018CREA joined as development partner for Redwood Oaks rehabilitation project, part of cross-sector collaboration for housing preservation.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Abode Services: Bay Area nonprofit providing supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and housing navigation services. Comparable mission and target population to HIP Housing's Housing Readiness and Self Sufficiency Programs.
• Covia: Operates home-sharing and senior services programs across multiple Northern California counties, including a referral partnership with HIP Housing. Closest functional peer for the Home Sharing Program, with overlapping services for older adults.
• LifeMoves: Silicon Valley-based nonprofit operating shelters, interim housing, and supportive housing programs across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Overlaps with HIP Housing's homelessness prevention and supportive service mission in the same geography.
• BRIDGE Housing: California-focused nonprofit that develops, owns, and manages affordable and workforce housing. Highly comparable as it combines development pipeline, third-party property management, and resident services across the Bay Area.
• MidPen Housing: Bay Area nonprofit developer and operator of affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with special needs. Operates a comparable model combining property development, property management, and supportive services across multiple Northern California counties.
• Eden Housing: Mission-driven nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager operating throughout California, including the Bay Area. Combines real estate development, resident services, and property management in a manner closely aligned with HIP Housing's HHAV and supportive-program model.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco: Bay Area affiliate of a national affordable homeownership nonprofit. Comparable in that it develops and manages affordable housing units for low-income households in the region, though focused on ownership pathways rather than HIP Housing's service-rich rental/shared housing model.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing organization operating across many states. Operates a similar blended model of development, property management, and supportive resident services, with broader geographic reach than HIP Housing.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit investor and developer of affordable housing, combining real estate, capital deployment, and policy advocacy. Provides a broader-scope comparison point for HIP Housing's development and compliance work.

Others

• HomeMatch.org (National Shared Housing Network): Industry association supporting home-sharing programs nationally, of which HIP Housing is a member. Relevant as an ecosystem peer that supports HIP Housing's Home Sharing Program through shared best practices and referrals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hiphousing
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hiphousing
• Facebookfacebook.com/HIPHousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hip-housing
• Instagraminstagram.com/hiphousing

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HIP Housing