What Harris County Housing Authority does

Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) is a government public housing authority established in 1974 under Texas state law and operating as an arm of Harris County Government. It administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the HUD-VASH program for homeless veterans in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the HCV Homeownership Program, which has helped more than 30 voucher holders transition to homeownership. Beyond tenant-based rental assistance, HCHA owns and operates a portfolio of 15 affordable housing properties (currently leasing), with one under construction and one in pre-development, including senior communities, family housing, and mixed-income developments across Harris County.

HCHA's core product is the Housing Choice Voucher program, in which participants contribute approximately 30% of adjusted gross income toward rent and HCHA pays the balance to private-market landlords, subject to HUD payment standards and Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections. The authority supplements this with directly-owned affordable housing properties — including Northwood Apartments (288 units, $53.9M development), The Residences at Arbor Oaks (192 units), Bernicia Place (planned 120-unit senior development), Villas at Eastwood, Sierra Meadows, Cypresswood Estates, Heritage Estates, Waterside Court, and others. Technology is limited to standard HUD program administration systems with no proprietary platform disclosed.

HCHA is funded primarily through HUD annual contributions, HCV administrative fees, CDBG-DR disaster recovery grants administered by the Texas General Land Office, HOME program funds, and tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds issued through its Public Facility Corporation. It also receives developer fees, promote fees, and asset management income from LIHTC partnerships in which it serves as general partner. Customer segments are exclusively low-income families, seniors (55+), veterans, disaster-displaced residents, and first-time homebuyers, all served through a hybrid direct-to-government channel with outreach via United Way 2-1-1, community partners, and direct office engagement at its Houston headquarters.

Name

Harris County Housing Authority

Legal name

Harris County Housing Authority

Website

https://hchatexas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Harris County Housing Authority is a government public housing authority that administers Housing Choice Vouchers, the HUD-VASH program for homeless veterans, and a portfolio of affordable and senior housing properties for low-income families, seniors, and veterans across Harris County, Texas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Housing, Compliance & Housing Program Oversight (FSALAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB), State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) (FSALAKAA)

Keywords

• Public housing administration
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable housing development
• Rental assistance programs
• Senior housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Grants and Program Funding: Primary funding comes from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through annual contributions for public housing authorities, Housing Choice Voucher administrative fees, and disaster recovery grants. HCHA receives CDBG-DR funds from Texas GLO for hurricane recovery projects.
2. Rental Income from Owned Properties: Revenue generated from rents collected at HCHA-owned affordable housing developments including senior housing properties. Income is means-tested based on tenant income levels.
3. Development Fees and Partnership Revenue: HCHA serves as general partner in affordable housing developments receiving developer fees, promote fees, and asset management income from Low Income Housing Tax Credit partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) is a public housing authority that administers federal HUD housing programs for Harris County, Texas. Its core offering is the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, which provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and disabled persons across the private rental market. HCHA also directly owns, develops, and manages a portfolio of more than 15 affordable housing properties serving families, seniors, veterans, and disaster-impacted residents.

Product overview

Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) operates as a single unified housing services organization rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering is the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, which provides rental assistance and housing choice to low-income families. Supporting programs include the Homeownership Program with down payment assistance, the HUD-VASH program for homeless veterans, and HCV inspections. HCHA also develops and manages multiple senior and family housing properties including Bernicia Place (120 units, $10M DRRP award), Villas at Eastwood/Fenix Estates, Northwood Apartments (288 units, $53.9M), The Residence at Arbor Oaks (192 units), and several senior communities (Sierra Meadows 90 units, Cypresswood Estates 88 units, Heritage Estates 210 units, Waterside Court 118 units, Louetta Village 116 units, Cornerstone Village 156 units, Baybrook Park 100 units, Magnolia Estates 160 units).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program: Federal rental assistance program allowing participants the freedom to find housing anywhere within HCHA's jurisdiction
• HUD-VASH Program
• HCV Homeownership Program

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Federal rental assistance program that gives eligible low-income families, the elderly, and disabled persons the freedom to find housing anywhere within HCHA's jurisdiction in the private rental market, with HCHA subsidizing a portion of rent paid directly to landlords.
• HCV Homeownership Program Program that helps qualifying HCV participants achieve homeownership through Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) and homebuyer education courses, enabling voucher holders to transition from renting to owning a home.
• HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program Federal program combining Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with VA supportive services for homeless Veterans, administered by HCHA in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Bernicia Place Senior Development Planned 120-unit new construction mixed-income/mixed-use senior rental development located at the southeast corner of Scottcrest Drive and Old Spanish Trail in Houston's OST/South Union neighborhood, serving active seniors, the disabled, and veterans.
• Northwood Apartments 288-unit multifamily affordable housing development at 12620 Eastex Freeway in the Shelvin Acres community, replacing housing lost during Hurricane Harvey. Income-based rents range from $396 to $1,362 depending on unit size, serving residents at or below 80% of Area Median Income.
• The Residences at Arbor Oaks 192-unit affordable housing community in Harris County developed in partnership with Harris County, Atlantic Pacific Companies, and OCI Development, providing affordable apartment homes for low-income families.
• Villas at Eastwood (Fenix Estates) Affordable housing development primarily benefiting people experiencing homelessness with on-site supportive services, recognized by U.S. Department of HUD as a HOME Project Profile for its collaborative model.
• Sierra Meadows 90-unit independent senior living community in Humble, Texas featuring patriotic-themed Mediterranean-style apartments with amenities including a pool, fitness center, and 18-hole golf course.
• Cypresswood Estates Houston's premier affordable active adult green community built to LEED green building standards, featuring 88 units with eco-friendly amenities including EV charging.
• First Met Senior Apartments 157-unit affordable active senior community in Northwest Houston with 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, featuring a pool, fitness center, and clubhouse near Sam Houston Pkwy.
• Waterside Court 118 single-family residences in Northwest Houston tailored for larger families with children requiring additional living space, providing four-bedroom homes in a residential setting.
• Heritage Estates 210-unit apartment community in Northwest Houston with elevator service, a community center, pool, fitness room, and comprehensive senior services for residents.
• Louetta Village Senior affordable housing community with 116 units designed for active seniors, operated by HCHA as general partner in Harris County.
• Cornerstone Village Senior affordable housing community with 156 units designed for active seniors, operated by HCHA as general partner in Harris County.
• Baybrook Park Mixed-income retirement housing community with 100 units, operated by HCHA as general partner in Harris County.
• Magnolia Estates Senior affordable housing community with 160 units designed for seniors aged 55 and over, operated by HCHA as general partner in Harris County.
• Retreat at Westlock Senior community offering 62+ living accommodations, operated by HCHA as general partner in Harris County.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 Housing Choice Voucher holders have achieved homeownership through HCHA's program
• +1 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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Atlantic Pacific CompaniesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2024Development partner for The Residences at Arbor Oaks, a 192-unit affordable housing community in Harris County.
• OCI DevelopmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2024Development partner for The Residences at Arbor Oaks alongside Harris County, Atlantic Pacific Companies, and Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3.
• Harris County Precinct 3majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2024Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey's office partnered with HCHA on The Residences at Arbor Oaks development, providing county support for the project.
• LDG DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2021Development partner for Northwood Apartments, a $53.9 million multifamily community to replace housing lost during Hurricane Harvey. LDG brings expertise in affordable housing development.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with VA for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, combining HCV rental assistance with VA supportive services for homeless Veterans.
• Harris County Community Services Department (HCCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCCSD provides CDBG-DR funds for affordable housing development and administers 16 total projects using HUD disaster recovery funds to replenish housing stock lost to Hurricane Harvey.
• Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBernicia Place's transit-oriented design is adjacent to METRO's Southeast Transit Center, enabling residents to access public transportation.
• United WaysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnited Way connects residents to HCHA resources through the 2-1-1 service, serving as an intake channel for families seeking housing assistance.
• Houston/Harris County Continuum of CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCHA supports The Way Home campaign to end homelessness in Houston, participating in coordinated entry systems and supporting chronic and veteran homelessness reduction goals.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• LDG Development: National affordable housing developer that partnered with HCHA on the $53.9M Northwood Apartments development using CDBG-DR funds and LIHTC - operates in the same affordable LIHTC ecosystem and serves the same tenant population.

Direct peers

• Houston Housing Authority: Houston's city-level public housing authority administering HCV and public housing programs within Houston city limits, directly overlapping with HCHA's county-wide jurisdiction and serving highly similar low-income and senior populations in the same metropolitan area.
• Dallas Housing Authority: Another Texas public housing authority that administers HCV, public housing, and mixed-income developments under HUD oversight, structurally comparable to HCHA with similar funding streams, programs (including homeownership), and regulatory environment.
• San Antonio Housing Authority: Texas public housing authority operating HCV and public housing programs for low-income families, seniors, and veterans in Bexar County - closely comparable in mission, program mix, and HUD oversight framework as HCHA.
• Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO): Large Gulf Coast public housing authority where incoming HCHA CEO Dr. Nadine Jarmon previously served as Executive Director; comparable post-disaster recovery mandate, affordable housing development, and HCV administration.
• Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA): Texas municipal housing authority administering HCV, public housing, and affordable housing development programs within Austin - structurally identical model to HCHA with similar federal funding sources and program offerings.
• Baton Rouge Housing Authority: Louisiana public housing authority previously led by Dr. Nadine Jarmon, administering HUD programs with similar Gulf Coast disaster recovery context and comparable senior and family housing portfolio.
• Tarrant County Housing Partners (Fort Worth): County-level housing assistance entity in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex that administers HUD programs including HCV, providing a structural peer to HCHA's county-level jurisdiction in Texas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HchaTexas
• Facebookfacebook.com/HCHousingAuthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harris-county-housing-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries14 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 Harris County Housing Authority