Case study

Bob.ai

Website / application
Back to Projects

Bob.ai is a business network dedicated to enhancing the affordable housing space by connecting Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), Continuums of Care (CoCs), and Landlords. It strives to provide effective product solutions that address the complexities within the affordable housing system, ultimately catering to the needs of housing authorities, program providers, landlords, and housing voucher recipients.

Overview
Problem Statement
Results
Design
Gallery
Solution

Problem Statement

  • Landlords Struggle to Find Qualified Tenants: Many landlords face difficulties in identifying and selecting qualified HCV tenants who meet housing program requirements and expectations.
  • Complex Inspection Management: The process of overseeing property inspections and ensuring compliance with housing standards often proves complex and time-consuming for landlords.
  • Administrative Burden with RFTA Documentation: The submission of Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) documentation can be administratively burdensome for both landlords and housing authorities, leading to inefficiencies and delays in the housing application process.
  • Challenges for HCV Tenants in Finding Rentals: HCV tenants experience difficulties in identifying available rental units that match their voucher qualifications and preferences, causing frustration and delays in the search process.
  • Lack of Streamlined Applicant Management: Landlords often lack the tools necessary for efficiently managing and guiding applicants through the rental process, resulting in a less user-friendly experience for both landlords and tenants.

Results

Objective 1: Improve Tenant Selection for Landlords

  • Key Result 1: Achieve a 25% reduction in time spent on tenant selection by landlords.
  • KPI 1: Decrease the average time taken by landlords to select a qualified tenant. Calculate the time difference between tenant selection before and after implementing the Tenant Screening Tool.

Objective 2: Simplify Property Inspection Management

  • Key Result 1: Decrease the average time required for property inspections by 27%.
  • KPI 1: Track the reduction in the time taken for a property inspection. Measure the time taken for property inspections before and after introducing the Inspection Management feature.

Objective 3: Streamline RFTA Documentation Submission

  • Key Result 1: Achieve a 35% reduction in the processing time for RFTA documentation.
  • KPI 1: Monitor the average time taken to process RFTA documentation. Record the time needed for processing RFTA documentation, comparing pre- and post-implementation times.

Objective 4: Facilitate Rental Search for HCV Tenants

  • Key Result 1: Increase the number of successfully matched HCV tenants with available rentals by 35%.
  • KPI 1: Track the percentage of HCV tenants who successfully find a rental unit that meets their qualifications and preferences. Measure the increase in successful matches between HCV tenants and available rental units.

Objective 5: Enhance Applicant Management for Landlords

  • Key Result 1: Increase the average number of applicants moved through the rental process by 24%.
  • KPI 1: Monitor the number of applicants moved through the rental process by landlords. Count the applicants successfully moved through the rental process before and after implementing the Applicant Management feature.

Objective 5: Enhance User Engagement, Conversion Rates and Increase Revenue

  • Key Result 1: Conversion Rate Improvement: Achieved a significant 45% increase in conversion rates, signifying the effectiveness of the new UI design.‍
  • KPI 1: Designed an eye-catching, modern, and marketable user interface (UI) for the platform.
  • Key Result 2: User Engagement Enhancement‍: Witnessed a substantial 30% boost in user engagement, indicating that the improved UX/UI design captivated users' attention and kept them engaged.
  • ‍KPI 2: Developed comprehensive style guides and UX/UI specifications for the platform.
  • Key Result 3: Revenue Growth: Achieved a 12% increase in revenue, suggesting that the refined design contributed to increased user satisfaction and conversions.‍‍
  • ‍KPI 3: Overseeing the design processes and maintaining high-quality standards.

‍

‍

UX Research

  • User Interviews: We conducted comprehensive user interviews involving HCV-accepting landlords, HCV tenants, and housing authorities to gain insights into their unique challenges, needs, and aspirations.
  • Findings: Our research revealed the pain points of landlords and tenants, highlighting issues ranging from qualification assessment to documentation and finding appropriate rental units.

Design

  • User-Centric Interface: The design of the platform prioritizes user-centricity, ensuring a straightforward and intuitive experience for landlords, HCV tenants, and housing authorities. User-friendly elements are consistently integrated into the platform, promoting accessibility for all stakeholders.
  • Seamless Integration: The design emphasizes the seamless integration of tools, features, and data. This approach ensures a fluid transition between different platform functionalities, allowing users to effortlessly move from tenant selection to property inspections and RFTA documentation submission.
  • Data Visualization: To enhance user decision-making, data is thoughtfully visualized within the platform. Graphical representations of property inspection results, tenant qualifications, and rental unit details facilitate quick and informed choices by users, contributing to an efficient and informed affordable housing process.

Solution

To address the complex challenges in the affordable housing ecosystem, we developed a comprehensive tech platform equipped with a range of tailored tools that cater to the specific needs of landlords, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) tenants, and housing authorities. This solution aims to create a seamless and efficient experience for all involved stakeholders. Here are the key components of our solution:

  • Tenant Screening Tool: We introduced a Tenant Screening Tool, simplifying tenant selection for landlords by enabling efficient filtering and identification of qualified applicants.
  • Inspection Management: Our platform features Inspection Management, empowering landlords to oversee property inspections and easily track their property's compliance with housing standards.
  • RFTA Documentation Submission: We streamlined the administrative process by introducing a dedicated tool for online submission of Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) documentation, benefiting both landlords and housing authorities.
  • Rental Listings: HCV tenants now have direct access to available rental units through the Rental Listings section, streamlining their housing search and application process.
  • Applicant Management: Landlords efficiently manage and guide applicants through the rental process with the Applicant Management feature, ensuring a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.

This comprehensive solution bridges the gap between landlords and HCV tenants, making the rental process more accessible, efficient, and affordable for all parties involved.

‍

Process:

  • Discovery & Ideation
  • Research
  • Information Architecture
  • Design
  • Usability Testing

Tools:

  • Figma
  • Miro
  • Loom
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustration
Previous Project
Next Project
Huba.ai