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Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County

EIN 94-3395945 · San Mateo, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To work with communities and their leaders to produce and preserve quality affordable homes.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
11.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
9
Volunteers
275
Highest pay
$144,930, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 110% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 2025, 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 (2)
  1. $454,900 spent. PROGRAM: KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTCOMES HLC continues to advance solutions to the housing crisis in San Mateo County through policy advocacy, coalition leadership, community organizing, and leadership development. As a membership organization, HLC works with partners across sectors to expand and preserve affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and build community support for equitable housing policy. Housing Advocacy and Systems Change:HLC continued to work in broad coalitions to advance policies and funding streams that support affordable housing production and preservation across the county. In 2025, local and regional public investments continued to scale, including county-level funding commitments supporting hundreds of new affordable homes across multiple jurisdictions serving low-income families, seniors, farmworkers, people with disabilities, and residents experiencing homelessness. Language Justice and Community Participation:HLC continued expanding bilingual programming and language access in events and communications, ensuring broader community participation in housing policy conversations and advocacy efforts. This work strengthens representation of historically underrepresented residents in regional housing decision-making. Community Leadership and Coalition Building:HLC continued developing housing champions and convening cross-sector leaders, including nonprofit organizations, faith communities, business leaders, and public agencies, to advance local housing solutions. HLCs core strategy includes training housing champions, building community support, and coordinating coalition-based advocacy to address root causes of the housing shortage. Public Education and Community Engagement:Through major convenings like Housing Leadership Day and Affordable Housing Month, as well as smaller community events and trainings year-round, HLC continues to increase public understanding of housing needs, trends, and solutions while strengthening the regional housing advocacy ecosystem.
  2. $192,277 spent. PROGRAM: HOUSING EDUCATION Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County (HLC) hosts two significant annual educational events: Housing Leadership Day and Affordable Housing Month. Housing Leadership Day (HLD)is HLCs premier annual housing policy and education conference held each fall. In 2025, HLC hosted the 25th Annual Housing Leadership Day on October 17, bringing together approximately 230 housing advocates, elected officials, developers, planners, investors, and community members for a full day of learning, collaboration, and networking focused on advancing housing solutions for people at all income levels across San Mateo County. The event included multiple workshop sessions covering topics such as commercial-to-housing conversion, ADU starter homes, inclusive housing strategies, federal housing funding impacts, and financing tools for affordable housing development.Housing Leadership Day continued HLCs commitment to language justice by offering full bilingual programming with simultaneous Spanish interpretation for all sessions, expanding access and participation in regional housing conversations. The event marked 25 years of convening cross-sector housing leaders to share solutions and advance policies that address the regional housing crisis. Affordable Housing Month (AHM) takes place each spring and includes multiple educational and community engagement events throughout May. In 2025, HLC partnered on and hosted events including educational tours of affordable housing developments, such as a countywide bus tour highlighting real-world examples of affordable housing and demonstrating how local jurisdictions, school districts, and nonprofit developers are working together to address the housing crisis. These events provide community members, advocates, and leaders with practical understanding of how affordable housing is financed, developed, and implemented locally. Through these educational initiatives, HLC continues to convene diverse stakeholders, strengthen regional collaboration, and increase public understanding of affordable housing development and policy.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.

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