Why Fortress Built Better Affordable Housing Software

300 clicks — that’s when we stopped counting.

When we realized that on-site teams needed to make over 300 clicks just to process a single affordable housing application, we knew something had to change. Affordable housing operators face enough challenges without being held back by cumbersome, outdated software. There was a clear gap in the market for a solution: a true affordable-first property management platform that simplifies the complexities of affordable housing compliance. Fortress made a plan to fill a need, and here’s how we did it:  

Tech Challenges of Affordable Housing Compliance

Affordable housing is already complicated. From convoluted application processes to juggling strict and often overlapping or conflicting requirements and deadlines, operators deal with a host of challenges on a daily basis. Unfortunately, traditional property management software often makes what’s already difficult feel almost impossible. 

The major problem: legacy property management software adds to the compliance workload because Affordable Housing entails extra modules and multiplied manual efforts. The lack of innovation has, for too long, introduced opportunities for errors and overlooking tasks which ultimately prevents getting residents into homes quickly. 

When software fails to offer essential checks, such as flagging upcoming deadlines or preventing incomplete documents from moving forward, it creates a chain reaction of problems for compliance with affordable housing programs. These errors lead to costly setbacks, additional work for teams, and frustration for applicants.

Affordable housing operators AND residents deserve more… Affordable housing technology needs to be approached differently. Instead of viewing compliance as optional, we knew it should be foundational to how a property management software is built.

Affordable is more than an F’ing Add–On 

Step One: Treat Affordable as more than an afterthought. By isolating affordable as an optional module, unnecessary complications are created. When Fortress decided to include compliance as a core function, essential tasks like form generation and packet reviews became more intuitive for property managers in their everyday workflows. 

By allowing compliance functions to exist within the same core system as leasing, resident management, and renewals, opportunities for data discrepancies or overlooked due dates are eliminated. Submission statuses, waitlists, and key metrics rely on the one source of truth to generate accurate reporting, cohesive check lists, and a streamlined environment for teams to work out of; this creates ease for managing layered properties and any mix of unit types.

The alignment of affordable housing processes with core operations simplifies management for layered properties and empowers teams to work more cohesively, ultimately improving outcomes for both property managers and residents.

When you align affordable processes with existing workflows, rather than isolating them into modules, the output is game changing. 

Creating Easier Compliance Processes

Managing affordable housing is a tedious process that demands constant attention and the ability to navigate a steady stream of impending deadlines. Property managers are not only balancing the needs of their applicants and residents, but also must ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. This requires a purpose-built system that is intuitive, accurate, and truly understands the nuances of affordable housing.

Our goal was to centralize the way teams filter affordable applications, organize recertifications, and optimize the ability for teams to generate and review packets / forms in-system. By adding checks and balances within the process, we can avoid creating a cascade of issues later on that lead to delays, rework, and conflicting updates between team members. 

We saw a world where we let software do as much work for you as possible. Through both automations and a “handheld” user experience, we have created ways to ensure applicants, property managers, and compliance teams have a clear understanding of what is needed. 

There is no way to make affordable housing “easy”, but offering tools for better organization, validation measures, and assured compliances- we can make it a whole lot less difficult. 

From Start to Finish: Built with People in Mind 

From applicants, to leasing teams, to compliance-focused roles: everyone has a lot on their plate. By tailoring affordable workflows at every level, for everyone involved, you encourage a more seamless experience start to finish. 

From the initial application to re-certification, Fortress aims to ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistent. We saw the opportunity to take complex, confusing applications and break them down into digestible, easy to follow prompts. Creating more accessible, simplified applications is crucial to ensuring individuals are prepared to be compliant. 

As applications progress and recertification due dates pop up, allowing teams to easily access a household’s historical data, jump directly into what needs attention, and easily make updates or edits are all simple, yet often overlooked, features that improve the process of generating and submitting compliance documents. 

By automating efforts to flag missing information or discrepancies on applications, operators can reduce the risk of errors and ensure that teams can focus on what matters most: serving their residents.

Built by Affordable Housing Experts

Fortress isn’t just another software company; it was created by affordable housing owners/operators alongside leasing and compliance teams. This collaboration inspired the design of a system that truly addresses the actual pain points of the industry. The insights and feedback from actual operators informed every aspect of the platform, ensuring that it feels intuitive and practical for everyday use.

Compliance to federal and state affordable housing programs is essential to the success of qualifying residents. By prioritizing compliance and integrating deep program knowledge, Fortress eliminates the fear and uncertainty that often accompany affordable housing management. With Fortress, clients can feel confident that they’re always audit-ready and fully compliant without hours of manual effort to do so. 

Real Impact for Operators and Residents

• Eliminating Errors and Risks: Automated processes and rigorous compliance checks significantly reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes.
• Streamlined Processes for Applicants: By providing an intuitive, user-friendly interface, Fortress makes it easier for residents to navigate complex application requirements.
• Nuanced Program Support: Fortress adapts to the specific requirements of each affordable housing program, offering tailored solutions that simplify compliance.
• Audit-Ready Confidence: With a comprehensive audit trail and real-time reporting capabilities, operators are always prepared for compliance reviews.
• By integrating compliance into the heart of property management operations, Fortress ensures that affordable housing programs run smoothly, efficiently, and without unnecessary delays.

Conclusion