Housing Authority of the City of Charleston

What Housing Authority of the City of Charleston does

The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston (CHA), commonly known as Chacity, is a public governmental entity established on May 5, 1935, by declaration of the City Council of Charleston to provide affordable housing to low and moderate-income residents. Governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and City Council, CHA operates two core federal housing programs — Public Housing (1,382 units across three Asset Management Projects covering Downtown Charleston, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, and Mt. Pleasant) and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (over 1,500 participants leasing in the private market) — alongside a Housing Finance Agency arm providing 1,191 additional units, an Enston Homes Management Group subsidiary managing downtown and senior housing, and specialized programs including the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion, Family Self-Sufficiency, Home Ownership, and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH, up to 360 participants).

The organization's technology footprint is composed of conventional government SaaS: Securecafe/RentCafe tenant and landlord portals for online rent payment, maintenance work orders, and application management; DocuSign for Housing Assistance Payment contract execution; PayNearMe for cash rent payments at retail; and U.S. Bank ReliaCard for utility reimbursement disbursements. There is no disclosed AI/ML capability, proprietary platform, or developer-facing API.

CHA's revenue model is anchored in three streams: (1) HUD federal appropriations for public housing operations and HCV program administration, (2) tenant rental payments (income-based at 30% of adjusted gross income or flat rent based on unit size and location, plus a $150 security deposit), and (3) Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) pass-through funds distributed to private landlords on behalf of HCV participants. Rental pricing follows HUD-published Payment Standards (2020: $997 Studio to $2,545 for 5-BR). The organization operates with 107 employees serving over 4,000 households nightly — approximately 9.2% of the City of Charleston's population — and is currently executing a redevelopment cycle that includes a nearly $40 million West Ashley apartment acquisition in 2025, ongoing Huger Street and Gadsden Green redevelopments, and a CEO transition to Nathan Simms Jr. in May 2026.

Name

Housing Authority of the City of Charleston

Legal name

The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston

Website

https://chacity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston is a public governmental entity operating since 1935 that administers federal public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, serving over 4,000 low- and moderate-income households (9.2% of Charleston's population) across 1,382 public housing units, 1,500+ voucher participants, and 1,191 Housing Finance Agency units.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Residential Property Managers (531311)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Public housing
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable housing
• Rental assistance
• Property management

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Funding: Primary funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for public housing operations and Housing Choice Voucher program administration
2. Tenant Rental Payments: Rent payments from public housing residents, calculated as either 30% of household adjusted gross income (income-based rent) or flat rent based on unit size and location
3. Housing Assistance Payments (HAP): Federal funds distributed to landlords on behalf of Housing Choice Voucher participants, covering the difference between tenant contribution and total rent
4. Housing Finance Agency: Component fund providing loans to create housing opportunities for low and moderate-income citizens, generating additional units through tax credit properties

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston is a governmental public housing authority that administers federal HUD-funded housing programs across the City of Charleston, South Carolina. It manages 1,382 public housing rental units through three Asset Management Projects (AMPs) and administers Housing Choice Vouchers for over 1,500 participants in the private market. It also operates a Housing Finance Agency delivering 1,191 additional units and a downtown property division (Enston Homes Management Group), serving roughly 4,000 households—about 9.2% of Charleston's population.

Product overview

The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston (CHA) operates a multi-component affordable housing portfolio centered on two core programs: Public Housing (managing 1,382 households across three Asset Management Projects) and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (serving over 1,500 participants). These core programs are supplemented by specialized offerings including the RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) conversion program, the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, the Home Ownership Program, and the VASH Program for veterans. CHA also operates a Housing Finance Agency arm providing 1,191 additional units, and a subsidiary division called Enston Homes Management Group (EHMG) managing downtown Charleston properties including senior housing at Williams Terrace. Resident support services include scholarship programs, youth and senior programs, and community development initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Enston Homes Management Group (EHMG): A division of the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston offering housing to individuals relocating to downtown Charleston or participating in various programs.

Products and services

• Public Housing Rental housing program providing decent and safe rental units for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Units are managed across three Asset Management Projects (AMPs 20, 30, and 40) located throughout the City of Charleston, totaling 1,382 households.
• Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Federally funded rental subsidy program (formerly Section 8) that assists over 1,500 participants with monthly rental payments. Participants rent housing that meets their needs in the private market while CHA pays landlords the difference between the tenant's contribution (typically 30% of adjusted income) and the total rent via a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
• RAD Programs Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program allowing conversion of public housing units to project-based Section 8, enabling investment in properties at risk and facilitating modernization and preservation of the affordable housing inventory.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program assisting unemployed and underemployed HCV participants to achieve economic independence through coordination of support services, job skills training, educational workshops, and escrow accounts generated from income increases.
• Home Ownership Program Program providing assistance to eligible Housing Choice Voucher families interested in purchasing a dwelling unit, including mortgage pre-qualification review, homeownership counseling, and down payment assistance.
• VASH Program Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program combining Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with VA case management and clinical services to move homeless veterans and their families into housing. CHA can currently assist up to 360 VASH participants, with referrals through Ralph Henry Johnson VA Medical Center.
• Housing Finance Agency Component fund within the Housing Authority that provides loans to create housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income citizens. Delivers 1,191 additional units of housing beyond the public housing and HCV portfolios, primarily through tax-credit properties.
• Enston Homes Management Group (EHMG) Properties Division of CHA offering housing to individuals relocating to downtown Charleston or participating in various programs. Manages an EHMG portfolio that includes William Enston Homes (58 units), Enston Apartments (26 two-bedroom units), Historic Eastside properties (3 locations), 670 King Street (40 one-bedroom units for ages 55+), 676 King Street (50 efficiencies), 21 Nunan Street (20 units), Carondolet/Francis Street (10 units), Williams Terrace (41 one-bedroom senior apartments at 22 Laurens Street for ages 65+), and the Florence Crittenton, VASH, Mental Health, Crisis Ministries, and Tax Credit programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,000 households served nightly (9.2% of Charleston population)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fetter Health Care NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing full range of high-quality healthcare services for residents in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester counties. Partnership provides healthcare access for housing authority residents.
• March of DimesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization working to improve maternal and infant health. CHA participates in March of Dimes Walk events.
• City of Charleston Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement partnership with 453 sworn officers and 119 professional staff. First CALEA-accredited municipal agency in South Carolina. Provides public safety resources to housing communities and crime hotline (843-722-0558).
• Dominion EnergyminorOthersUtility provider for natural gas and electricity. Contact: 1-800-251-7234.
• Humanities FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit affordable housing developer founded in 1992 by Bob and Tracy Doran. Works with CHA to develop and preserve affordable housing in the Charleston area.
• One80 PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopts Housing First and Rapid Re-Housing practices. Offers supportive services including medical, legal, food rescue, and job training. Primary resource for homeless services in Charleston.
• Piccolo Spoleto FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual arts festival. CHA hosts Keepin Jazz Alive events at housing properties during the Piccolo Spoleto Festival.
• The Green Heart ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2009, operates urban farms at Mitchell Elementary and Enston Homes. Provides fresh produce access to food desert communities. Hosts 16th Annual Harvest Dinner at Enston Homes.
• Habitat for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharleston affiliate builds and improves safe, affordable homes with local families.
• Ralph Henry Johnson VA Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA Medical Center at 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Refers homeless veterans to CHA for VASH vouchers. Case managers Yvonne Tucker (789-7134), Maria Lundell (789-6560), and Michelle Cook coordinate referrals.
• Crisis MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceives referrals for housing from case managers after meeting criteria established by Crisis Ministries for individuals in housing crisis.
• Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracts to provide housing for individuals who are self-sufficient with case management support services.
• City of CharlestoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent municipal government that declared the need for CHA in 1934. CHA is selected and governed by Mayor and City Council appointees. Shares services including environmental services and ombudsman office.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Office: Operates adjacent affordable housing programs in Charleston County, South Carolina, overlapping the same regional market where CHA serves. Comparable as a county-level public housing administrator with HCV and public housing stock.

Direct peers

• North Charleston Housing Authority: Public housing authority serving neighboring North Charleston, South Carolina — the same metro market as CHA. Operates public housing, HCV, and similar HUD-funded programs with comparable regulatory structure and resident base.
• Housing Authority of Savannah: Mid-sized southeastern public housing authority administering public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and redevelopment initiatives. Comparable operating scale and HUD program mix to CHA, with similar historic-port-city demographics.
• Greenville Housing Authority: South Carolina peer PHA administering public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers in Greenville. Direct peer in regulatory framework (same state HUD region), resident profile, and program structure as CHA.
• Charlotte Housing Authority: Public housing authority serving Charlotte, NC — a growing southeastern metro with comparable climate for redevelopment pressure. Operates public housing, HCV, mixed-finance redevelopment, and supportive housing programs at a larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Atlanta Housing Authority: Large, established public housing authority that has pioneered RAD conversion, mixed-income redevelopment, and Choice Neighborhoods grants. Comparable program architecture to CHA but at substantially greater scale and complexity.
• District of Columbia Housing Authority: Mid-Atlantic public housing authority administering public housing, HCV, and local rental subsidy programs. Relevant as a comparable urban PHA where new CHA CEO Nathan Simms previously held senior leadership roles.
• Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA): Large urban PHA administering Section 8, public housing, and a range of supportive housing programs including homeless initiatives. Comparable program portfolio to CHA's HCV + public housing + VASH architecture at a much larger scale.

Others

• Humanities Foundation: Charleston-based nonprofit affordable housing developer founded in 1992 that partners with CHA to develop and preserve affordable housing. Comparable mission and local market overlap as a development partner and co-investor in CHA-served communities.
• One80 Place: Charleston-area homeless services and supportive housing provider that partners with CHA for resident referrals. Comparable focus on vulnerable populations (homeless, mental health, crisis) served alongside CHA's VASH and special-purpose programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cha-charleston-housing-authority
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Housing Authority of the City of Charleston