Solution To Affordable Housing
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
San Francisco is notorious for having outrageous housing costs. According to San Francisco Planning, Programs including HOME-SF have required developers to set aside 20-30% of units for affordable housing. Through the Below Market Rate (BMR) Homeownership Program, low-income residents of San Francisco can now apply to purchase those homes at a below market rate or rent those units for an affordable price, however, the program is lacking easy accessibility on mobile and web devices. AffordableSF is an app aimed to help members of the BMR Housing Program apply for housing and become educated on renting and homeownership.
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH
The current housing portal for the City of San Francisco (DAHLIA) lacks an easy application process. For every unit application, the user must fill out a new online form with no previously saved information. Before applying you must complete several tasks including attending an 8 hour class on home renter/buyer education and re-uploading approval forms for every application. This process makes applying for units harder and requires more time. In 2002, San Francisco began its Below Market Rate program for low-income families and individuals. New housing developments are required to set aside a certain percentage of their units for low-income housing, giving families and individuals in need an affordable way to live in San Francisco. Many families are forced to live in housing with mold, leaks, and other difficulties that are hazardous to their health and the safety of their family. The Below Market Rate Program helps families find affordable homes to live in, however, there is not enough educational information provided to families about the process of applying and there isn’t a simplified mobile version that will help families have an easier time with applying.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Interviews
Experts
Surveys
Personas
Since this project mainly concerns the community of low-income residents in San Francisco, research was conducted in regards to families and individuals who qualify for the program and experts who are involved in housing programs around the San Francisco Bay Area. Over 5 different housing organizations, including Project Homeless Connect, The First Time Homebuyers Program of San Mateo, and Tipping Point, contributed to this research and gave expert feedback..
CONCEPT SKETCHES
Key features on the app would include an available listings page, user
profile, file cabinet, favorites list, and
much more. These features will give
residents of San Francisco an easier
way to apply for housing assistance.
WIREFRAMES
These wireframes show the design flow of where each page will lead to based on which buttons are clicked on each screen. The available listings page acts as a home page that will open when first logged into the app. All other pages can be accessed from the available listings page and the bottom navigation bar.
PROTOTYPES
The final prototypes for the app feature an available listings page, user profile, file cabinet, favorites list, and much more. These features will give residents of San Francisco an easier way to apply for housing assistance and learn about opportunities they can receive for housing assistance and helpful government resources.
Loading Screen
Orange gradient background appears when the application is loading
Clean logo appears when the application is loading
Loading Screen
Login Screen
By pressing the login button, the login information will be submitted and and the user will gain access into the app
Users can input their email address and password to gain access to the app with all of their saved information
Login Screen
Listings
Users can filter the listings based on whether they are renting or buying
Users can scroll through the listings feed located on the homepage
Users can filter which listing they want to view based on price, size, and location
Listings
Single Listing
By clicking the apply button, users will be take to another page to complete an application for the unit
Slideshow at the top of the screen shows different images of the listing
Users can favorite listings as well as check the location, see reviews and share the listing with friends and family
Single Listing
File Cabinet
Users can view their past applications here and check the status of them
Applicants can access all of their household information here
Each applicant must submit all tasks before qualifying for the application process. When each task is completed, the red dot will turn green
File Cabinet
My Account
Name, email, address and other info must be submitted through the applicant info and stay up to date with each application.
Users can upload a profile picture to their account
