Portland Housing Authority

What Portland Housing Authority does

Portland Housing Authority (PHA) is a federally chartered public housing authority headquartered at 970 Baxter Boulevard in Portland, Maine, operating since 1943. PHA administers U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs including Public Housing (directly owned low-rent units), the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV / Section 8) program, and 31+ Project-Based Voucher (PBV) contracts. Its housing portfolio spans family housing communities (Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, Kennedy Park, Bayside Anchor, Solterra Apartments, Front Street, Dermot Court), elderly and disabled housing (Franklin Towers — a 16-story high-rise with 200 subsidized apartments — Harbor Terrace, Washington Gardens, 100 State Street), mixed-income LIHTC properties, and select market-rate units.

PHA serves low-income families, elderly (62+) and disabled individuals, veterans experiencing homelessness, foster youth aging out of care, chronically homeless individuals, and refugee families across Southern Maine. Revenue is non-commercial: HUD federal operating subsidies, capital funds, and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP pass-through to private landlords) form the funding base, supplemented by tenant rental payments set at 30% of adjusted household income per HUD mandate. PHA operates through three wholly-owned affiliated corporations (Portland Housing Development Corporation, Portland Housing Services Corporation, State Street Housing Preservation Corporation) that extend its capacity into real estate development, services contracting, and housing preservation.

Beyond housing delivery, PHA operates an extensive Resident Services program including on-site Greater Portland Health clinics, monthly Wayside Food Programs mobile pantries (serving ~575 residents), three Study Centers (Riverton Park, Kennedy Park, Sagamore Village), the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, emPOWERme financial empowerment, Voucher Homeownership Program, and partnered community policing. Technology stack is a standard CivicPlus CMS government website with a Landlord Portal for HCV participants; no proprietary technology, APIs, or mobile applications are deployed. Leadership is Executive Director Leah Bruns (appointed 2025) and Deputy Executive Director Mark Wiesendanger (appointed 2025, ~20 years affordable housing finance and development experience).

Name

Portland Housing Authority

Legal name

Portland Housing Authority, ME

Website

https://porthouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Portland Housing Authority is a federally chartered public housing authority in Portland, Maine, administering HUD-funded Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and 31+ Project-Based Voucher contracts to serve low-income families, elderly, disabled individuals, veterans, and homeless populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Administration

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

Keywords

• Public housing programs
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable rental housing
• Project-based vouchers
• Low-income housing assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. HUD Subsidies and Grants: Primary funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to operate public housing programs and Housing Choice Voucher programs. Federal grants support operational costs, capital improvements, and rental assistance payments.
2. Rental Income: Income received from tenants in public housing units, calculated as a percentage of household income (typically 30%). Also includes market-rate rent from select units.
3. Housing Assistance Payments (HAP): Federal funds received from HUD to make Housing Assistance Payments to landlords on behalf of voucher holders. This is pass-through funding for the HCV program.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Portland Housing Authority operates federally-funded affordable housing programs across Portland, Maine. It directly owns and manages family, elderly, disabled, and mixed-income/LIHTC rental properties, and it administers the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Project-Based Voucher programs on behalf of HUD. It also delivers resident support services such as the Family Self-Sufficiency program, emPOWERme self-sufficiency coaching, Study Centers, VASH for homeless veterans, First Place for homeless youth, and Foster Youth to Independence, all wrapped around the core offer of safe, affordable housing for low-income households.

Product overview

Portland Housing Authority operates as a unified housing services platform offering multiple interconnected programs. The core offerings include Public Housing (directly owned low-rent units), the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) for specific apartments. Supporting these are self-sufficiency programs including the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and emPOWERme for financial empowerment, plus specialized programs for veterans (VASH), homeless youth (First Place), and foster youth. The agency manages housing communities including Franklin Towers, Harbor Terrace, Washington Gardens, Bayside Anchor, Solterra Apartments, Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, and Kennedy Park. Additional services include Study Centers for academic support, homeownership assistance, landlord partnership tools via the Landlord Portal, and comprehensive resident services spanning education, health, food security, and safety programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV / Section 8) Program Federal rental assistance program helping very low-income families, elderly, and disabled individuals afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Voucher holders pay roughly 30% of income toward rent and HUD (via PHA) covers the remainder as a Housing Assistance Payment to the landlord. Tenants select their unit subject to PHA inspection and rent reasonableness approval.
• Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) Rental assistance attached to specific apartments; the voucher stays with the building rather than the tenant. Residents pay 30% of income toward rent and PHA pays HAP to the property owner for the unit. PHA holds 31+ PBV contracts with private landlords across Portland.
• Public Housing Program Low-rent housing units owned and managed directly by Portland Housing Authority for eligible low-income families, elderly, and disabled individuals. Includes family properties (e.g., Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, Kennedy Park), elderly/disabled communities (Franklin Towers, Harbor Terrace, Washington Gardens, 100 State Street), mixed-income/LIHTC communities (Bayside Anchor, Solterra Apartments), and market-rate units. Tenants pay 30% of adjusted income toward rent.
• Franklin Towers 16-story high-rise apartment building for elderly and disabled residents containing 200 subsidized apartments, located at the corner of Franklin Street and Cumberland Avenue in Portland. Building was completed in 1969 and is operated under PHA's elderly/disabled housing inventory.
• Harbor Terrace Low-Income Tax Credit elderly community located in the West End Neighborhood of Portland, operated by PHA for seniors needing affordable housing.
• Washington Gardens Low-Income Tax Credit elderly community located in East Deering Neighborhood, comprising twenty-five apartment buildings with a community hall and laundry facilities.
• 100 State Street Mixed-income elderly community in Portland's West End Neighborhood with mid-rise apartments, featuring a community room, salon, library, and resident services.
• Bayside Anchor Mixed-income property in Portland's East Bayside Neighborhood with 45 units (36 income-based and 9 market rate), featuring bicycle storage, elevators, and a courtyard.
• Solterra Apartments Energy-efficient mixed-income property in East Bayside with free WiFi for residents, ground-floor space for the Cultivating Community food-security nonprofit, and a leasing preference for families with dependents.
• Sagamore Village Low-Rent Public Housing family community in the Nason's Corner Neighborhood with a community garden, playgrounds, and Boys & Girls Club access.
• Riverton Park Low Income Tax Credit community in the Riverton Neighborhood, featuring on-site Head Start Pre-K, adult education, food pantry, and playgrounds.
• Kennedy Park Low-Rent Public Housing family community in the East Bayside Neighborhood with family apartments.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Employment and savings program empowering HCV families to build savings and financial capabilities as a pathway out of poverty through education, employment support, and financial empowerment, with escrow accruals tied to increases in earned income.
• emPOWERme Self-Sufficiency Program Self-sufficiency program helping PHA residents with financial coaching, job training, education, food security, childcare, transportation, and homeownership preparation.
• Voucher Homeownership Program Program assisting Housing Choice Voucher holders in purchasing their own homes through homeownership education, down payment assistance programs, and financing guidance.
• Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (VASH) Combined HUD-VA program pairing Housing Choice Vouchers with case-management services for homeless veterans who require and accept VA care.
• First Place Permanent housing program for non-elderly and chronically homeless persons (including homeless youth), offering housing paired with supportive services.
• Foster Youth to Independence Housing assistance program providing Housing Choice Vouchers to foster youth aging out of the system to help them transition to independent living.
• Study Centers Drop-in academic support centers in family-housing neighborhoods (Riverton Park, Kennedy Park, Sagamore Village, Mayo Street) offering computers, WiFi, printing, books, and volunteer academic support for youth and adults.
• Resident Services Comprehensive PHA program covering youth programming, adult education, career and financial services, family support, food and gardening, health and wellness, and safety programs delivered through Service Coordinators stationed at PHA properties.
• Landlord Portal Online self-service portal for landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program to manage their HCV properties, tenants, inspection status, and HAP payments with PHA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,800 affordable units created through bonds (reference from Portland OR, not Maine PHA)

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Portland HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site primary care health clinics at PHA properties including Sagamore Village, Riverton Park, and Franklin Towers. Provides pediatric care, women's health, chronic disease management, mental health services, and health education to residents regardless of insurance status.
• Wayside Food ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly mobile food pantries deliver fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and nonperishables to four PHA sites. Each household receives ingredients for at least 12 meals per person. Approximately 575 PHA neighborhood residents participate monthly. Also provides healthy snacks for youth programs.
• Cultivating CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity garden in Kennedy Park neighborhood. Operates weekly farmers market with EBT/WIC discount matching (50% off). Youth Growers program employs Portland youth during summer. Located at Solterra Apartments ground floor commercial space.
• Portland Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Police Liaisons stationed at PHA properties. Johanna Rozzi serves Riverton Park, Sagamore Village, and Front Street (office at 57 Riverton Drive). Bart Donovan serves Kennedy Park/East Bayside (office at 81 East Oxford Street). Provide safety and community engagement services.
• Portland Adult EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnglish Language classes offered at Franklin Towers and Front Street properties. Classes catered to English level of attendees to support adult literacy and integration.
• LearningWorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Literacy Classes in Riverton Park and one-on-one English Literacy tutoring around the city. Supports adult education and language acquisition for PHA residents.
• University of Maine Cooperative ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Garden Days program where Master Gardeners distribute free seedlings at housing neighborhoods and provide gardening advice. Supports food security and community gardening initiatives.
• Portland Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Summer Lunch program providing free balanced meals to youth in public housing during summer months. Also coordinates with school calendar for Study Center hours.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreOthersPrimary federal funding source. Provides grants, operating subsidies, and capital funds for public housing. Administers Housing Choice Voucher program allocations. Sets income limits, housing quality standards, and regulatory framework.
• MaineHousingcoreOthersState housing authority that coordinates the Maine Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and administers certain state housing programs. Partners on centralized waitlist and state-level housing initiatives.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kpstudycenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Portland Housing Authority