Housing Authority of the City of Erie

What Housing Authority of the City of Erie does

The Housing Authority of the City of Erie (HACE) is a public housing authority established in 1938 and headquartered at 606 Holland Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Operating under Pennsylvania state law as a government entity with a Board of Commissioners, HACE provides safe, decent, and affordable housing to lower-income families, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities through two primary channels: direct ownership and management of 2,200+ public housing units across 13+ properties (including John E. Horan Garden Apartments, Harbor Homes, Schmid Towers, Friendship Apartments, Erie Heights/Pineview, Lake City Dwellings, Ostrow Apartments, and Curry/Schell Apartments), and administration of 1,100+ Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers subsidizing private-market rentals. Together these programs serve more than 3,300 households and 8,000 residents, including nearly 1,700 children.

HACE layers a substantial wraparound services ecosystem on top of its housing core, including on-site licensed childcare (Early Connections centers for ages 6 weeks to 6 years), youth development programs (Dafmark Creative Arts, summer recreation, YMCA Kids Clubs), educational services (learning centers offering GED/ESL/adult basic education and computer training, plus scholarship programs through the Ellen Curry Foundation and Louis J. Tullio Memorial Scholarships), health services (Community Health Net dental clinic, Gannon University nursing center, HOMEPLUS caseworkers at senior buildings), and the Community Oriented Police and Probation Services (COPPS) safety program. The Authority invests over $2,000,000 annually in support services and partners with more than 25 community organizations including the United Way, Erie County Library, GECAC, SafeNet, Second Harvest Food Bank, Highmark Wholecare, and the Erie Police Athletic League.

The business model is government-funded rather than commercial: primary revenue derives from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) federal appropriations for the Public Housing Operating Fund and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, supplemented by income-adjusted tenant rental payments, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency PHARE grants, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grants, Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority funds, and Erie Community Foundation grants. The organization voluntarily contributes Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to local government entities ($528,349.14 in 2025; $11.36M cumulative since 1941). The portfolio includes one affiliated Section 501(c)(3) entity, the Ellen Curry Foundation, which funds educational scholarships. Leadership transitioned in 2024 with Dusti Dennis succeeding longtime Executive Director Michael R. Fraley, who retired after 25 years of service.

Name

Housing Authority of the City of Erie

Legal name

Housing Authority of the City of Erie

Website

https://hace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HACE is a public housing authority in Erie, Pennsylvania, founded in 1938, providing affordable housing to 8,000+ residents via 2,200+ owned units and 1,100+ Section 8 vouchers, with wraparound childcare, youth, education, and health services for low-income families, elderly, and disabled residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Residential Property Managers (531311), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Services to Buildings and Dwellings (5617)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Fair Housing, Compliance & Housing Program Oversight (FSALAKAN), Multi-Family / HOA MSW Collection (Apartments, Condos) (EUAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• Public housing services
• Affordable housing management
• Housing choice vouchers
• Senior housing assistance
• Community development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Housing Funding: Primary federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to operate public housing programs and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
2. Tenant Rental Income: Rental income collected from public housing residents based on income-adjusted rates. The Authority owns and manages 2,200 quality housing units.
3. Grants and PHARE Funding: Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) fund grants from Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for property rehabilitation and community development.
4. PILOT Payments: Voluntary Payments in Lieu of Taxes contributed to City of Erie, Erie County, and Erie School District to support essential public services. 2025 total: $528,349.14.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Housing Authority of the City of Erie (HACE) operates a public housing program providing affordable rental housing through ownership and management of 2,200+ housing units across Erie, Pennsylvania, and administers 1,100+ Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). It layers wraparound community services including licensed childcare, youth recreation, educational scholarships, on-site health services, community policing (COPPS), and the Family Self-Sufficiency program around its core housing mission for low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Product overview

The Housing Authority of the City of Erie (HACE) operates as a unified affordable housing platform providing direct rental housing through its Public Housing Program with over 2,200 owned units, supplemented by the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program with 1,100+ vouchers. The organization layers community support services including childcare (Early Connections centers), youth development (Dafmark Creative Arts, summer recreation), educational programs (learning centers, scholarships), health services (dental office, nursing center), and safety initiatives (COPPS community policing) around its core housing mission. This integrated approach aims to foster economic self-sufficiency among residents while providing safe, affordable housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing Program Direct rental housing assistance providing safe, quality, affordable housing units to low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities through 2,200+ owned properties across the City of Erie, with rents based on approximately 30% of household income per HUD guidelines.
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Federal tenant-based rental assistance program that helps eligible low-income families lease rental units in the private sector by paying a portion of rent based on income, with HACE administering over 1,100 active vouchers.
• Early Connections Childcare Centers On-site licensed childcare services at John E. Horan Garden Apartments and Harbor Homes providing care for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, including before/after-school care and Pre-K programs for HACE residents.
• Youth Activities and Recreation Programs Comprehensive youth development services including summer activities, recreational programs, youth art clubs, libraries, and the Dafmark Creative Arts Program at John E. Horan Garden Apartments serving children of HACE residents.
• Educational Programs and Scholarships On-site educational services including GED, ESL, adult basic education, and computer instruction through learning centers, plus scholarship programs through the Ellen Curry Foundation and Louis J. Tullio Memorial Scholarships for HACE residents.
• Health Services On-site health services including Community Health Net Dental Office, HOMEPLUS caseworker and nurse services at senior buildings, and the Gannon Nursing Center for health screenings and educational programs serving HACE residents.
• Community Oriented Police and Probation Services (COPPS) Partnership with City of Erie Police and Erie County Probation providing on-site community policing, adult and juvenile probation services in public housing neighborhoods for the safety of HACE residents.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Workforce development program that helps public housing and HCV participants achieve economic self-sufficiency through caseworker support, escrow savings accounts, and goal setting.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,300 households and 8,000 residents served
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Erie County Gaming Revenue AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Supported the Dafmark Youth Wellness Center at John E. Horan Garden Apartments through generous funding contribution.
• Erie Community FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Co-funded the Dafmark Youth Wellness Center project supporting children and youth wellness programs.
• Erie Police Athletic League (PAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partnership to expand PAL into dedicated out-of-school time program for at-risk youth in HACE communities through PAL HOPE ASPIRES initiative.
• City of Erie Police Department (COPPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026COPPS program provides on-site community policing services in all HACE neighborhoods through Quebec Unit officers.
• Erie County ProbationmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 June 2026On-site Adult and Juvenile Probation officers at HACE properties to serve residents under probation supervision.
• Eagle's NestminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 June 2026Partner in PAL HOPE ASPIRES collaboration for youth programming.
• EMTA (Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 June 2026Transportation partner in PAL HOPE ASPIRES collaboration for youth services.
• United Way of Erie CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2024Long-standing partnership for United Way Workplace Campaign with HACE achieving 100% employee participation for 30+ years. Both organizations share commitment to strengthening community and supporting individuals and families in need.
• Multi-Cultural Resource Center (MCRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2024Partnership to operate Erie Free Taxes site at John E. Horan Garden Apartments providing free tax preparation services to Public Housing and Section 8 residents. MCRC provides trained/certified tax preparation specialists.
• YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA Kids Clubs operate at multiple HACE properties (John E. Horan Garden Apartments, Erie Heights) providing after-school and summer youth programs, library services, and youth activities.
• Community Health NetmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint venture providing dental office at John E. Horan Garden Apartments and family medical clinic at John F. Kennedy Center. Community Health Net provides professional staffing and dental equipment.
• Gannon UniversitymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNursing center at John E. Horan Garden Apartments staffed by Gannon University nursing supervisors and students providing health screenings, flu shots, mammograms, and WIC services.
• GECACmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in HOMEPLUS program providing full-time trained caseworkers and nurses on-site at Friendship Apartments and Schmid Towers senior high-rises.
• StairwaysmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in HOMEPLUS program providing caseworkers and services at senior housing properties.
• Erie Center on Health and AgingmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in HOMEPLUS program providing health services and case management at senior housing.
• SafeNetmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides domestic violence counseling services to HACE residents including referral for emergency shelter, clinical services, support groups, and legal advocacy.
• Urban Erie Community Development CorporationmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartners to provide on-site education and employment programs at Quality of Life Learning Center and E.F. Smith Learning Center.
• NorthWest Tri-County Intermediate CentermajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational partner providing GED, ESL, Adult Basic Education, and computer training at HACE learning centers.
• Erie County LibrarymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner15+ year partnership providing 1,000 book collections at youth libraries and supporting therapy dog reading programs.
• Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth ActionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAfter-school environmental action and problem-solving program for youth at John E. Horan Garden Apartments and Erie Heights.
• Second Harvest Food BankmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in FOOD Insecurity Program providing food and meals to over 500 individuals and families monthly.
• Highmark WholecareminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner providing dental day services at Schmid Towers including cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatment, and oral cancer screening.
• United Concordia DentalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner with Highmark Wholecare providing dental care services to HACE residents.
• Ellen Curry FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSection 501(c)(3) organization established to enhance education of children under 22 in HACE housing, providing elementary scholarships and supporting Tullio Memorial Scholarship Program.
• Community Shelter Services (CSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHACE sponsored a Tiny Home at CSS transitional housing campus with 4-12 units built for families.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): Another municipal public housing authority in Pennsylvania that administers public housing units, Housing Choice Vouchers, and resident support services. PHA operates on a much larger scale but shares HACE's structure, mission, and regulatory framework as a city-level housing authority.
• Pittsburgh Housing Authority: Pennsylvania-based city housing authority providing public housing and Section 8 vouchers to low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities. Comparable in structure and mission to HACE, with similar programs including workforce development and family self-sufficiency initiatives.
• Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority: Regional peer operating in nearby Western New York with a similar mix of family developments, senior high-rises, and Housing Choice Voucher program administration. Comparable scale and demographic profile to HACE given proximity to Erie.
• Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority: Rust-belt city housing authority operating public housing and HCV programs in a similar economic and demographic context. CMHA's larger size but similar mission, federal funding structure, and wraparound service approach makes it directly comparable to HACE.
• Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority: Mid-sized Midwest city housing authority administering public housing, Section 8, and supportive services. Similar mix of family and senior housing, with comparable HUD funding model and resident services orientation.
• Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority: Ohio-based metropolitan housing authority of comparable scale to HACE, providing public housing units, vouchers, and self-sufficiency programs. Similar size and structure make it a useful operational benchmark.

Regional players

• Allegheny County Housing Authority: County-level housing authority in western Pennsylvania serving the greater Pittsburgh area with public housing and voucher programs. Operates in HACE's broader state/region but covers different municipalities, making it a regional comparable rather than direct competitor.

Others

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Federal agency that serves as HACE's primary funding source and regulatory overseer. Not a peer in a competitive sense, but a critical counterparty whose policy and budget decisions directly determine HACE's operating capacity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/housing-authority-of-the-city-of-erie-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Erie