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Merit Housing Incorporated

EIN 33-0731671 · Orange, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MERIT HOUSING WAS ESTABLISHED TO EXPAND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIORS. HOUSING MAY BE PROVIDED BY OWNING PROPERTIES OUTRIGHT OR INDIRECTLY BY PARTICIPATING IN HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS. PRESENTLY MERIT IS PRIMARILY PROVIDING HOUSING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.MISSION-BASED PARTICIPATION IN PARTNERSHIPSTO FOSTER HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIORS, MERIT HOUSING, INC. PARTICIPATES IN SECTION 42 LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS WHICH QUALIFY UNDER THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAM. THE OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE AS THE NONPROFIT PARTNER IS GENERALLY 1% OR LESS AND FOR MANY PROJECTS THE UP-FRONT CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS IS NOT REQUIRED OR INSIGNIFICANT. PARTICIPATION IN HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS IS AN EXTENSION OF THE MISSION TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Income
$334,202
Spending
$4,416
Spent on programs
16%
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 82%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $708 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY OWNS AND OPERATES 5 LOW INCOME HOUSING RENTAL PROJECTS - 3 AS THE MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER AND 2 AS THE LIMITED PARTNER. THESE RENTAL PROJECTS TOGETHER PROVIDE 581 RENTAL UNITS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.