STUDENT INTERNATIONAL HOUSING INC

What STUDENT INTERNATIONAL HOUSING INC does

Student International Housing Inc. (S.I.H.) is a Los Angeles-based homestay agency founded in 2003 that matches international students and interns with screened American host families for short- and long-term accommodation. The company operates a direct-to-consumer model where students apply through the website interest form and receive a 72-hour response, while prospective host families complete an application, phone interview, and home inspection before being matched. SIH manages a network of more than 1,000 host families across California and the broader U.S., and reports 10,000+ students placed over its 20+ year history. The company is led by Managing Director Olice Heimann (joined 2003) and Business Marketing Analyst Yona Tada (joined 2010), with a headcount of 2+.

The underlying technology is a basic website platform (hosted on Squarespace) that supports student and host family applications, communication, and matching coordination. The company does not disclose any proprietary algorithms, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities, and matching is described as a manual one-on-one process based on individual preferences and compatibility. Revenue is generated through a combination of one-time application fees ($270 non-refundable), refundable security deposits ($250), recurring monthly homestay fees (quote-based, varying by location, length of stay, and meal plan), and ancillary services including optional airport transportation and a $50 rush processing fee for placements with less than 14 days notice.

SIH's go-to-market is sales-led and direct, relying on its website, social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), email communication via [email protected], and a network of 30+ educational institution partnerships including UCLA, USC, UCI, UCSD, multiple California State University campuses, Azusa Pacific University, Orange Coast College, Santa Monica College, and several English language schools. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding, parent entity, or institutional investor backing. The offering is differentiated primarily through personalized human matching, 24/7 support, and a multilingual team, rather than through technology or scale advantages.

Name

STUDENT INTERNATIONAL HOUSING INC

Legal name

Student International Housing Inc.

Website

https://studentinternationalhousing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Student International Housing Inc. is a Los Angeles-based homestay agency, founded in 2003, that matches international students and interns with a network of 1,000+ screened American host families across California and the broader U.S. for short- and long-term accommodation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Housing Services

NAICS

Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (72131), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Homestay Placement & Host Family Management (EDAIALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic Program Housing (Study Abroad, Language Schools, Field Schools) (THAMAGAE)

Keywords

• Homestay accommodation services
• International student housing
• Host family matching
• Cultural exchange programs
• Student placement agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Application Fees: Non-refundable application fee charged to students for processing their homestay application
2. Security Deposits: Refundable security deposit collected from students, returned after 21 days of homestay program completion
3. Homestay Fees: Ongoing homestay fees charged to students for accommodation, varies by location, length of stay, and meal plan. Monthly compensation sent to host families via check
4. Ancillary Services: Optional services including airport transportation and rush processing fee ($50 for less than 14 days notice)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Student International Housing Inc. is a homestay placement agency based in Los Angeles that connects international students and interns with a network of more than 1,000 screened host families across California and the U.S. for short-term and long-term stays, providing personalized matching, private furnished bedrooms, two daily meals, Wi-Fi, and continuous support throughout the duration of the homestay.

Product overview

Student International Housing Inc. operates as a single unified homestay accommodation platform rather than a modular architecture. The company offers three integrated core offerings: a Student Application Service that guides international students through the homestay placement process; a Host Family Network that recruits, screens, and manages host families; and a Homestay Program that facilitates personalized matching between students and hosts. These services are supported by a Homestay Pricing Plans module covering application fees, security deposits, and optional services. The company leverages its network of 1,000+ host families across California and the U.S. to serve over 10,000 enrolled students from collaborating universities and language schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homestay Program Long and short-term homestay accommodation service that matches international students with screened host families in California and across the U.S. The program includes personalized matching, continuous support, cultural exchange facilitation, and access to a network of over 1,000 vetted host families. Host families provide private furnished bedrooms with Wi-Fi and two daily meals (breakfast and dinner).
• Student Application Service End-to-end student placement service guiding international students through the homestay application process, including interest form submission, housing consultation, payment processing, host matching, and arrival coordination. The service commits to a 72-hour response time on applications.
• Host Family Network Recruitment, screening, and management of vetted host families. Host families complete an application, phone interview, and home inspection before being matched with students. The network comprises over 1,000 host families across California and the U.S., and host families receive monthly compensation disbursed via check.

Quantifiable outcome

• Safe, clean, comfortable homestay experience with friendly, kind, and caring host families
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American English Center LAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage school partner that refers international students to the homestay program for accommodation services
• Azusa Pacific UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• California State University, Northridge (CSUN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor university partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• University of California, Irvine (UCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor university partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• University of California, San Diego (UCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor university partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• University of Southern California (USC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor university partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• Orange Coast CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• Santa Monica CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• EC Los AngelesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish language school partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• ELSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish language school partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services
• Kaplan WestwoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish language school partner referring international students for homestay accommodation services

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• AmberStudent: Digital-first student housing platform that aggregates purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and homestays near universities. Comparable in serving international students seeking housing in the U.S., though Amber is broader in scope and technology-enabled.
• University Living: Online platform aggregating student housing options (PBSA, homestays, shared apartments) near global universities. Adjacent competitor in international student accommodation with stronger digital infrastructure than SIH.

Broad incumbents

• Global Student Accommodation (GSA): Large international student housing provider offering a portfolio of student residences and homestays across multiple countries. Broader incumbent serving the same end customer (international students) with a wider product mix.
• Airbnb: Global short-term rental marketplace. While not a homestay specialist, Airbnb captures adjacent demand from international students seeking short-term furnished rooms, exerting competitive pressure on SIH's monthly-stay category.

Direct peers

• Homestay.com: Global online marketplace that matches international students and travelers with screened host families. Directly comparable to Student International Housing in core offering (homestay placement with vetting) but with broader geographic coverage and a digital-first booking platform.
• I-Homestay: Homestay placement agency focused on international students in North America, offering screened host families and personalized matching. Closely mirrors SIH's service model, target market, and screening-based differentiation.
• HOST International (Host Families): International homestay placement agency connecting students and au pairs with host families in the U.S. and abroad. Operates the same dual-sided matching model with screening, host recruitment, and ongoing support.
• EduStay: Boutique homestay agency placing international students with carefully screened host families, particularly in Canada and the U.S. Direct comparable on service depth, target customer, and screening-driven model.

Regional players

• International Student Exchange (ISE) Homestay Programs: Non-profit exchange organization operating U.S.-based homestay placements for international high school and college students. Comparable in hosting international students in American homes under supervised arrangements, though primarily focused on exchange-program participants.
• BOST (Board of Student Travel) / Nacel Open Door: International student exchange and homestay programs placing foreign students with American host families. Directly comparable in service model and end-customer profile, though typically geared toward high school exchange students.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-student-housing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 →

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