SAN MATEO, Calif. – Just as the Internet changed the way Americans shop, a new Web-based service promises to transform the way people find housing in San Mateo County.

The free service, www.SMCHousingSearch.org, represents the next generation in Web 2.0 tools. The service provides renters, landlords, housing professionals and anyone with access to a computer, tablet or smart phone access to real-time information about rental housing ranging from subsidized to market rate.

The service is provided by the San Mateo County Housing Authority and the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, with contributions from a variety of community agencies and local business sponsors.

“First there were classified ads with tiny print. Next came websites where you would have to troll through hundreds of listings only to find that the place you wanted was already taken,” said Duane Bay, director of the San Mateo County Department of Housing. “This service is uniquely tailored to San Mateo County and provides the kind of details people want to know.”  

Listings include map links and information about rent, deposits, accessibility features and neighborhood amenities such as parks, schools and shopping. Property providers can add 10 photos and details to highlight listings. There is never any cost to list, and listings can be removed from public view immediately after rental to reduce unwanted calls on unavailable units.

Special features include a listing of quick links to housing resources as well as rent-affordability and moving-cost calculators.  Users can also apply filters to hone in on housing for seniors or apartments near transit, for example.

A toll-free, bilingual (English and Spanish) call center is available to help landlords and renters with any aspect of www.SMCHousingSearch.org, increasing accessibility to information on the service and helping to ensure that listings stay accurate and current.

As the service ramps up across the county, landlords are particularly encouraged to sign on and take advantage of the free advertising on this easy-to-use and valuable service for the community.

For more information or to begin listing rentals on SMCHousingSearch.org, go to www.SMCHousingSearch.org 24/7 or call, toll free, 1.877.428.8844 from Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pacific Time.