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By Mike Sederholm on July 10, 2025 in Technology
Affordable housing leasing is known for being a long process with many moving parts. Compliance mandates require a lot of data, record keeping and reporting. Despite widespread tech adoption in other markets, there are lingering tech concerns in affordable housing. As a result, much of the industry still runs on old-school manual processes.
Modern technology exists to help manage the workload, but affordable housing providers are often wary about investing in digital solutions. Whether it’s the upfront cost or the learning curve, the concerns are valid. However, the proven benefits of tech solutions, such as faster leasing, fewer errors and improved compliance, make a compelling case for change.
Let’s walk through four common concerns of investing in affordable housing technology and discuss how Yardi can help shorten leasing periods, reduce paperwork and boost service delivery to applicants and residents.
1. “New technology costs too much”
Affordable housing organizations work under strict financial constraints that make it difficult to commit to investing in new tools. Due to limited budgets, many teams rely on paper-based workflows, where staff print, copy and file forms to qualify applicants. But, all of that paper processing can slow down operations and increase the risk of errors.
How RentCafe helps
RentCafe is a digital compliance platform that lets providers manage applications, waitlists and resident services in one place. Eliminating paperwork and in-person meetings with RentCafe can drastically reduce staff time. This means fewer hours spent on routine tasks and more time to support prospective and current residents.
2. “Learning new tech takes too long”
One of the top tech concerns in affordable housing is around time. It takes time to learn a new system, and if you’re already comfortable with paper-based processes, you might not want to sdopt new tech. Even if team leaders see the upside, the idea of weeks of training can still feel like a tough commitment.
How RentCafe helps
RentCafe has a user-friendly interface and works seamlessly with other components of the Yardi Affordable Housing Suite. Onboarding is quick, training is built-in, and Yardi teams will guide you through the whole implementation process. That means less disruption and faster results. Plus, once residents begin using RentCafe for payments, inspections and maintenance requests, and annual recertifications, it naturally becomes part of their daily routine.
3. “Applicants won’t be able to figure it out”
Many low-income applicants lack consistent internet access. They aren’t always comfortable or enthusiastic about using new technology. Some also hesitate to upload personal documents online, especially when trust is low or user support is limited.
How RentCafe helps
With RentCafe, applicants can upload documents and sign forms using a mobile phone, tablet or leasing office kiosk. The process is simple, flexible and available 24/7, so prospective renters can complete the process when it’s most convenient for them, without the need to take time off work to come into the office.
RentCafe uses plain language and guides applicants step-by-step. It even auto-translates into hundreds of languages. The entire process is faster, easier and more secure than compiling paper documents and handing them over to a leasing office.
4. “It’s cheaper to verify income the old way”
Verifying income and assets using paper forms and manual follow-ups might seem cheaper up front, but that method often causes delays, errors and repetitive admin work. It can also make verifying income take days or weeks of valuable staff time.
How Yardi Verification Services helps
Yardi Verification Services automates income and asset checks by pulling data from trusted third-party sources. It covers 96% of the U.S. workforce, including gig workers and recipients of Social Security or VA benefits.
Most verifications finish in minutes with data coming directly from payroll and financial institutions. Asset verifications can be automatically set to comply with any applicable program. Yardi Verification Services can also verify student status, preventing applicants’ ability to submit fake enrollment forms.
Still worried about adopting affordable housing tech?
Tech concerns in affordable housing are valid, but the benefits far outweigh them. Adopting the right tools now means faster leasing, fewer errors and more time to better serve your community.
