What Syracuse Housing Authority does

Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA) is a federally chartered public housing authority established in 1964 and headquartered at 516 Burt Street in Syracuse, New York. SHA owns or manages 15 residential developments comprising more than 2,500 apartments across the city, with just over half of units designated for elderly or disabled residents and the remainder serving low-income families. In parallel, SHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program, providing approximately $20 million annually in rental assistance to over 3,000 families in the greater Syracuse area through Housing Assistance Payment contracts with private landlords. The authority also runs Project Based Vouchers, HUD-VASH vouchers for homeless veterans, Mainstream Vouchers for non-elderly disabled persons, and a Homeownership Program that allows voucher holders to apply subsidies toward mortgage payments.

SHA's business model is government-funded rather than revenue-generating: operating subsidies and capital funds flow from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, supplemented by New York State programs (HTF, OTDA Homeless Housing Assistance, NYSERDA), LIHTC equity, and tenant rent calculated at approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income. Distribution is via waitlist-based application through waitlistcheck.com, with preference categories for domestic violence victims, displaced households, and those in substandard housing. SHA's technology stack is limited to standard property management and Housing Quality Standards inspection systems; there is no proprietary software or AI-driven tooling.

The authority's flagship initiative is the East Adams Street Neighborhood Transformation Plan, an $800 million, 118-acre, 27-block redevelopment covering 1,037 public housing units across Pioneer Homes, Central Village, McKinney Manor, and Toomey Abbott Towers. McCormack Baron Salazar serves as Master Developer, with Blueprint 15 as community quarterback, Urban Strategies handling resident engagement, and Purpose Built Communities providing the cradle-to-college model framework. Resident support services include ROSS and FSS grants, scholarships, senior services, legal aid referrals, and a health partnership with Upstate Medical University, framing SHA as a comprehensive housing-plus-human-capital operator rather than a pure property landlord. SHA is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners (five mayoral appointees, two tenant-elected) under William J. Simmons, Esq. as Executive Director.

Name

Syracuse Housing Authority

Legal name

Syracuse Housing Authority

Website

https://syracusehousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Syracuse Housing Authority is a federally chartered public housing authority operating 15 residential developments with 2,500+ apartments and administering Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for over 3,000 families in Syracuse, New York, while executing an $800 million mixed-income neighborhood redevelopment plan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Administration

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Administration of Housing Programs (92511), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Housing Benefits & Rent Subsidy Administration (BPAIAKAG), Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management (BPAJAMAI)

Keywords

• Public housing programs
• Affordable housing services
• Housing choice vouchers
• Section 8 assistance
• Resident support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Housing Operations: SHA owns and manages 15 residential developments with over 2,500 apartments. Revenue comes from tenant rent payments (based on income calculations) and federal operating subsidies from HUD.
2. Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments: SHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program serving over 3,000 families. Annually provides approximately $20 million in Section 8 rental assistance to the greater Syracuse area through Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts with private landlords.
3. Federal HUD Funding: As a public housing authority, SHA receives federal funding through HUD for public housing operations, capital improvements, and housing assistance programs including ROSS grants and FSS grants for resident services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Syracuse Housing Authority is a public housing authority that owns or manages fifteen residential developments with more than 2,500 apartments in Syracuse, New York, providing federally-funded affordable housing for low-income families, elderly, and disabled residents. It also administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) serving over 3,000 families with approximately $20 million in annual rental assistance paid directly to private landlords, along with comprehensive resident support services including self-sufficiency programs, senior services, scholarships, and legal aid.

Product overview

Syracuse Housing Authority operates as a public housing authority providing affordable housing programs and services. The core offerings include Public Housing (federally-funded housing for low-income families) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 - tenant-based rental assistance). The organization manages 15 residential developments with over 2,500 apartments including properties such as Pioneer Homes, Central Village, McKinney Manor, Toomey Abbott Towers, James Geddes, Benderson Heights, Vinette Towers, Fahey Court, Ross Towers, Almus Olver Towers, Eastwood Heights, Eastwood Homes, Leonard Buildings, Freedom Commons, and Homes of Syracuse. SHA also administers Project Based Vouchers, VASH vouchers for veterans, and Mainstream vouchers for non-elderly disabled persons. Support services include Resident Support Services, Senior Services, Scholarship Programs, Legal Help and Public Benefits Assistance, and the Family Self-Sufficiency Advantage Program. A major initiative is the East Adams Street Neighborhood Transformation Plan, a comprehensive redevelopment of 1,037 public housing units in partnership with McCormack Baron Salazar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Freedom Commons: 54-unit property consisting of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units, developed with Norstar Development USA
• Leonard Buildings
• Eastwood Homes
• Homes of Syracuse

Products and services

• Public Housing Federally-funded program that subsidizes decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low-income families and individuals in accordance with HUD income and eligibility requirements. Managed across 15 SHA-owned or managed residential developments.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Federally-funded tenant-based rental assistance program that enables families to obtain housing in the private market by subsidizing a portion of monthly rent paid directly to property owners. Serves over 3,000 families with approximately $20 million annually.
• Project Based Vouchers Rental assistance program where subsidy is attached to specific units at designated properties (Clinton Plaza, Harbor Lofts, Courtyard, Valley Vista) rather than following the tenant.
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Combined Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
• Mainstream Vouchers Housing vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities and their families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, transitioning from institutional settings, or at risk of institutionalization.
• Homeownership Program Allows existing Housing Choice Voucher holders to use their subsidy toward mortgage payments instead of rent, enabling families to purchase homes with monthly mortgage assistance based on family income.
• Freedom Commons 54-unit affordable housing property with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units, including 6 units fully accessible for mobility impairments and 3 units adapted for hearing or vision impairments. Developed in partnership with Norstar Development USA, with 11 units designated as permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals.
• Leonard Buildings Housing property located at 400 and 410 West Onondaga and 828 S. West Street offering 1 and 2 bedroom units with utilities included, featuring garbage disposal, dishwasher, ample closet space, cable/phone hook-ups, secure laundry facility, individual thermostats, and onsite parking.
• Eastwood Homes SHA managed housing property located at 201 Beacon for families.
• Homes of Syracuse SHA managed housing property.
• Resident Support Services Comprehensive services assisting residents with budgeting, lease compliance, job skills training, child and youth development programs, health and wellness, community building, and government forms. Includes ROSS Grant programs and FSS Grant services.
• Senior Services Services for elderly residents including transportation, social opportunities, weekly grocery shuttles, farmers market visits, social outings, and coordination with Onondaga County Office of Aging for education, health, safety, and independent living programs.
• Scholarship Programs Educational scholarship opportunities for public housing and Section 8 residents including Syracuse Co-Generation Scholarship, Brexialee 'Brexi' SHA Resident Scholarship ($5,000), SHA Building Dream Scholarship ($1,000), Todd Eudell Scholarship, PHADA scholarships, NYSPHADA scholarships, and HAI Group scholarships.
• Legal Help and Public Benefits Assistance Referrals and assistance connecting residents with legal services through Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County and information about public benefits including TANF, SNAP, HEAP, SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare.
• Family Self-Sufficiency Advantage Program Voluntary employment and savings incentive program for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher participants designed to assist families in becoming economically independent, offering case management, support services, education/training, homeownership preparation, and escrow savings upon completion.
• East Adams Street Neighborhood Transformation Plan Comprehensive 118-acre, 27-block neighborhood redevelopment initiative modeled after HUD's Choice Neighborhood Initiative, involving replacement of 1,037 public housing units with high-quality mixed-income housing, improvements in employment, health, and education outcomes, and public/private reinvestment. Master developer is McCormack Baron Salazar.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 3,000 families through Section 8 HCV program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• McCormack Baron SalazarflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2019SHA selected McCormack Baron Salazar as Master Developer for the $800 million East Adams Street Neighborhood Transformation. The firm, the nation's leading for-profit developer of economically-integrated urban neighborhoods, will redevelop 1,037 public housing units into mixed-income housing. MBS has completed 22,000+ high-quality homes in 47 cities since 1973.
• Norstar Development USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorstar Development USA is the development partner for Freedom Commons, a 54-unit affordable housing property. The project received funding from New York State Housing Trust Fund, OTDA Homeless Housing Assistance Programs, KeyBank, Key Community Development Corporation, and NYSERDA.
• Blueprint 15coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlueprint 15 is a not-for-profit entity serving as the 'community quarterback' for the East Adams transformation. The board includes business, government, education, health, and philanthropic leaders. Blueprint 15 coordinates holistic revitalization efforts and leads community engagement.
• Urban StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban Strategies assists with resident engagement and creates human capital plans for the East Adams transformation. They conduct community engagement processes including resident surveys, service assessments, focus groups, and ensure integration of human capital plans with physical revitalization.
• Purpose Built CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurpose Built Communities provides the model and network support for the East Adams transformation. Their model consists of five pillars: high-quality mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education pipeline, family-oriented health and wellness facilities, community quarterback entity, and defined neighborhood.
• Upstate Medical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Healthy Neighbors Partnership Program and Resident Health Advocates. Upstate Medical University trains and supports SHA residents to provide peer telephone support and health outreach. Also partners on COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
• Onondaga County Office for AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding for education and social programs for Syracuse's elderly and disabled residents including workshops on health, safety, financial management, and independent living. Activities include bingo, theater nights, book clubs, and knitting clubs.
• Planned Parenthood, 100 Black Men of Syracuse, Pathfinder Bank, Syracuse Fire Department, OG's Against Violence, Vera House, On Point for CollegeminorOthersCommunity partners for the $10K Basketball Tournament youth violence prevention program. Partners provide mini-workshops on financial empowerment, health and wellness, education, career opportunities, and community resources.
• Fields TowingminorOthersFields Towing provides vehicle towing services for SHA when vehicles are towed for parking violations on SHA property.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rochester Housing Authority: Another upstate New York public housing authority of comparable size, administering public housing and Section 8 vouchers in a similar mid-size Rust Belt city. Highly comparable in scale, program mix, and regional housing-market context.
• Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority: New York State public housing authority operating public housing developments and Housing Choice Vouchers in a similar upstate market. Comparable in program structure, federal funding reliance, and aging-stock challenges.
• Albany Housing Authority: Capital-region New York PHA administering public housing and Section 8 vouchers. Comparable mid-size authority with mixed-family and elderly/disabled housing portfolio and similar regulatory environment.
• Yonkers Municipal Housing Authority: Downstate New York PHA managing public housing developments and HCV program for low-income families. Comparable program mix and HUD regulatory framework.
• Newark Housing Authority: Mid-Atlantic PHA operating a similar public-housing + Section 8 model in a comparable-size Northeastern city. Comparable in elderly/disabled designated units and reliance on federal appropriations.
• Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority: Mid-size PHA with comparable public-housing portfolio and Section 8 administration in a similar legacy-industrial city context. Useful peer for capital-reinvestment planning and resident self-sufficiency programming.

Broad incumbents

• McCormack Baron Salazar: Nation's leading for-profit developer of economically integrated urban neighborhoods (22,000+ homes in 47 cities since 1973). SHA's flagship East Adams master developer and a key peer for understanding the transformation partnership and execution model.
• Boston Housing Authority: Larger PHA operating public housing, Section 8, and mixed-income developments in Boston. Comparable program model at greater scale; useful benchmark for mixed-income redevelopment and resident services.

Emerging players

• Norstar Development USA: Affordable housing developer that partnered with SHA on Freedom Commons (54 units). Relevant peer for understanding SHA's LIHTC-driven development pipeline and co-development model.

Others

• Purpose Built Communities: National nonprofit network that provides the five-pillar transformation framework used by SHA's East Adams initiative. Indirect peer as the ecosystem partner shaping SHA's neighborhood-redevelopment strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/syracusehousing
• Facebookfacebook.com/syracusehousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syracusehousingauthority
• Instagraminstagram.com/syracusehousingauthority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syracuse Housing Authority