Teens Build Affordable Housing Platform to Tackle NYC Crisis

In November 2025, 17-year-old Beckett Zahedi is making waves with his innovative solution to New York City's affordable housing crisis. Inspired by his family's own experiences of struggling to find a suitable rental, Beckett has developed Realer Estate, an online platform that combines public data with real estate listings to help users search for rent-stabilized and below-market apartments.

Beckett's journey began in 2023 when, as a high school student, he witnessed firsthand the challenges his recently divorced father and younger sister faced during their frequent apartment hunts in Brooklyn. Determined to make the process easier, Beckett taught himself to code and, with the help of his classmate Derrick Webster Jr., launched Realer Estate in July 2024.

The platform has already attracted over 27,000 visitors and earned praise from local officials, including New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who commended Beckett's "commitment to helping fellow New Yorkers secure affordable housing." Realer Estate's unique algorithm scans active listings, cross-references rent-stabilized building addresses, and calculates affordability, allowing users to easily identify potential homes they can afford.

While the website is still a work in progress, with Beckett and Derrick balancing its development with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, the impact of their creation is already being felt. One local real estate agent has even invested in the platform, and the teens are exploring ways to collaborate with the city to further improve the housing search process for New Yorkers.

As the median rent in New York City continues to soar, Beckett's determination to make a difference has inspired many. His story serves as a testament to the power of youthful innovation and the potential for technology to tackle even the most complex societal challenges.