What we are, why we exist, and where we're headed.
Bay Area BMR is a free, independent resource that aggregates below market rate (BMR) rental housing data across 14 Bay Area cities. We file California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests every two months to obtain up-to-date data directly from city housing departments — data that is legally public but practically inaccessible.
We exist because finding affordable housing in the Bay Area is broken. Information is scattered across a dozen city portals, half of it requires knowing the right offices to call during business hours, and there's no single place to compare options across cities. We're fixing that.
Every two months, we automatically file public records requests with 14 Bay Area city housing departments asking for their complete BMR rent roll — every deed-restricted affordable unit, its income level, maximum rent, and address. Cities are legally required to respond within 10 business days under California law.
When responses arrive, we parse the data and update the database. This means our information is more comprehensive and more current than portals that rely on property managers voluntarily uploading listings.
Bay Area BMR was built by a Bay Area resident who got frustrated trying to help a family member find affordable housing and couldn't find a single comprehensive resource. It started as a personal project and grew into a full platform.
This is a civic tech project, not a government site or a real estate business. There are no ads, no data selling, no hidden agendas. The goal is simple: make it easier for people who need affordable housing to find it.
Search and filter database for all 14 cities, AMI calculator, how-to guides, 4 languages. Data updates every 2 months via automated CPRA requests.
First CPRA responses expected. Real unit data replaces sample data. Property manager outreach begins for vacancy and waitlist status.
User accounts, saved searches, email/SMS waitlist alerts, real-time vacancy tracking, and direct application links per property.
AI-powered eligibility assistant, multilingual chat support, crowdsourced vacancy reports from residents, and expansion beyond 14 cities to all of Alameda and Santa Clara counties.
Bay Area BMR was built and is currently run at zero cost. But to deliver on the features that will make the biggest difference for housing seekers — real-time vacancy alerts, multilingual AI support, direct application integration, and expansion to more cities — we need sustainable funding.
Specifically, funding would allow us to:
The Bay Area has 180,000 fewer affordable homes than it needs. The information gap is one of the most solvable parts of that problem — and this project is designed to solve it. A small investment in infrastructure would allow Bay Area BMR to serve hundreds of thousands of housing seekers across the region.
If you represent a foundation, government agency, or organization interested in supporting this work, please get in touch.
We welcome feedback, data corrections, partnership inquiries, and press requests.