Westmoreland County Housing Authority

What Westmoreland County Housing Authority does

Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a county-level public housing authority established in 1942 and headquartered at 167 South Greengate Road, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. As a HUD-chartered public entity, WCHA owns and operates 48 housing communities across Westmoreland County — spanning senior hi-rises, apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes — serving low-income families, seniors (62+), disabled persons, and homeless or at-risk households. The authority administers a full stack of federal and state housing programs: Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (tenant-based and project-based), Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units, HUD HOME tenant-based rental assistance, Pennsylvania weatherization funds (PHARE, Marcellus Shale), and the Department of Public Welfare–funded Homeless Assistance Program. Adjacent supportive programs include Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), a Homeownership pathway for working families, and the HOPE in Life Center.

Revenue mechanics are not commercial; WCHA is funded through federal HUD operating subsidies, Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) pass-throughs to private landlords for Section 8 vouchers, LIHTC equity from tax-credit-financed developments, and ancillary state and county grants. Tenants pay income-based rent (approximately 30% of adjusted gross income). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via in-person application at the Greensburg office, by mail/email, or through a StratusCloud online portal supporting public-housing applications, HCV applications, waiting-list lookup, and a separate landlord portal that links to PAHousingSearch.com for unit matching. Recent senior-housing capital activity includes the 2024 opening of Grand View Senior Residences (50 units, 100% occupancy, 200+ waiting list) and the October 2025 LIHTC award for Willowbrook Commons (50 units, Rostraver Township). Two affiliated development entities — Westmoreland County Housing Associates, Inc. and WNPHC — hold LIHTC-related assets. The authority is led by CEO/Executive Director Michael L. Washowich, who in March 2026 was appointed to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency board, and is governed by a Board of Commissioners chaired by Robert T. Regola.

Name

Westmoreland County Housing Authority

Legal name

Westmoreland County Housing Authority

Website

https://wchaonline.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Westmoreland County Housing Authority is a public, HUD-chartered county housing authority operating 48 affordable housing communities for low-income families, seniors, and disabled persons in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, funded by federal HUD subsidies, Section 8 vouchers, and state LIHTC allocations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Services to Buildings and Dwellings (5617), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) (FSALAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Public housing assistance
• Section 8 vouchers
• Affordable senior housing
• Low income housing tax credits
• Homeless assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HUD Public Housing Operating Subsidy: Federal funding from HUD for operating public housing units, determined by HUD formulas and regulations
2. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher HAP Payments: Tenant-based rental assistance where WCHA pays a portion of rent to landlords on behalf of eligible families; family share is based on adjusted monthly income percentage
3. Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC): Tax credit allocations for developing affordable senior housing developments such as Grand View Senior Residences and Willowbrook Commons
4. HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Coupons: Rental assistance program funded through HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program
5. Weatherization Program Funding: Funds from PHARE (Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement) Fund and Marcellus Shale Impact Fees for home energy improvements
6. Homeless Assistance Program (HAP): Partial financial assistance for back rent, first month's rent, or security deposit for families facing eviction, funded through Department of Public Welfare

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) provides publicly funded affordable housing services in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It owns and operates 48 housing communities (senior hi-rises, apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes) and administers HUD programs including Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (tenant-based and project-based), and Low Income Housing Tax Credit units. Supplementary programs include Weatherization, Homeless Assistance, Family Self-Sufficiency, Homeownership, and the HOPE in Life Center, supported by an online StratusCloud application and waiting list platform.

Product overview

Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a public housing authority providing affordable housing services to families and seniors in Westmoreland County, PA. Established in 1942, WCHA operates 48 housing communities and offers multiple housing assistance programs including Public Housing (owned properties including senior hi-rises, apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes), Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (tenant-based and project-based rental assistance), and Low Income Housing Tax Credit units. Additional services include Weatherization assistance, Homeless Assistance (HAP), Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Homeownership Program, and the HOPE in Life Center. Recent senior housing developments include Grand View Senior Residences (opened 2024) and Willowbrook Commons (in development).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing Program Income-based rental housing program where WCHA owns and operates 48 housing communities including senior hi-rises, apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. Tenants pay rent based on 30% of household's adjusted gross income, with eligibility determined by HUD income guidelines. Targeted at low-income families and seniors meeting HUD eligibility requirements in Westmoreland County, PA.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Tenant-based rental assistance program where eligible low-income families receive vouchers to use on privately-owned rental housing. WCHA pays a portion of rent directly to participating landlords; the family share is based on their adjusted monthly income. Targeted at eligible low-income families seeking housing in the private market in Westmoreland County. The HCV waiting list is currently closed (as of January 31, 2023) with approximately an 8-year wait.
• Section 8 Project-Based Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation Units Project-based rental assistance attached to specific housing units, where families receiving assistance must move into the specific designated unit to receive rental assistance. Targeted at eligible low-income families matched to specific WCHA-managed units.
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program WCHA manages low-income housing tax credit units where applicants must be income eligible and able to pay the full monthly rent; tax credit units accept Section 8 Vouchers and HOME Coupons. Targeted at income-eligible applicants at or below 50% or 60% of area median income, depending on the site.
• Weatherization Program Energy efficiency program providing funds to rehabilitate homes for eligible Westmoreland County residents who own and live in the property. Funded through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund and Marcellus Shale Impact Fees. Targeted at eligible owner-occupants in Westmoreland County needing energy efficiency improvements.
• Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) Financial assistance for families and individuals who are homeless or facing eviction. Provides partial financial assistance in the form of back rent, first month's rent, or security deposit. Funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Targeted at families and individuals in Westmoreland County facing immediate housing crisis or eviction.
• Homeownership Program Promotes first-time homeownership for low-income working families by paying a percentage of the mortgage. Requires participants to be Section 8 tenants and FSS Program participants meeting employment requirements (30 hours/week for at least one year). Targeted at Section 8/FSS-enrolled working families transitioning from rental to homeownership.
• HOPE in Life Center Support services and programs for WCHA residents to improve their quality of life and self-sufficiency. Targeted at residents of WCHA housing communities.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Voluntary program helping Section 8 participants and public housing residents obtain employment, increase income, build savings, improve credit scores, and become homeowners. Targeted at WCHA Section 8 and public housing residents seeking to advance toward economic self-sufficiency.
• Grand View Senior Residences A 50-unit senior (62+) affordable housing development located in Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. Opened in 2024 with full occupancy and a waiting list exceeding 200 people; winner of the 2025 Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PARHA) Best Practice Award. Includes on-site supportive services at no additional cost.
• Willowbrook Commons A 50-unit affordable senior (62+) development located in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County. Awarded LIHTC tax credit allocation by PHFA in October 2025 for new construction. Scheduled to include full amenities and supportive services for seniors.
• South Greengate Commons Senior housing community in WCHA's portfolio that serves as an event venue for community wellness programs. Targeted at WCHA senior residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% occupancy rate at Grand View Senior Residences with 200+ person waiting list
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.

• Westmoreland County Commissioners (Sean Kertes, Doug Chew, Ted Kopas)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025County commissioners partnered with WCHA on Willowbrook Commons development. State Senator Kim Ward and State Rep. Eric Davanzo also collaborated on the senior housing project.
• Rostraver Township and Belle Vernon Area School DistrictsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local government partners for Willowbrook Commons development in Rostraver Township. WCHA Board Chairman Robert T. Regola III acknowledged township officials and school district as community partners.
• PAHousingSearch.comsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide housing registry where landlords list HCV-eligible rental units. WCHA directs landlords and tenants to this platform for Section 8 program participation.
• PA COSTARS ProgramsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommonwealth Procurement and Acquisition Resource Share program through Pennsylvania Department of General Services. WCHA encourages vendors to register in PA Supplier Portal for bidding on statewide or COSTARS contracts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Michaels Organization: One of the nation's largest developers, owners, and managers of affordable housing, including LIHTC-financed family and senior communities. Comparable to WCHA in housing product (LIHTC multifamily/senior) but operates across multiple states.
• Related Companies: Nationally significant affordable and mixed-income housing developer and owner with a deep LIHTC and HUD-financed portfolio. Shares WCHA's affordable/senior housing development and operations model, but at national scale across multiple geographies.
• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA): State-level housing finance agency that allocates LIHTC tax credits, finances affordable rental developments, and oversees Pennsylvania's county housing authorities — the direct upstream regulator and capital source for WCHA's development pipeline.
• WinnResidential (WinnCompanies): Large national affordable and mixed-income housing property management and development firm managing tens of thousands of subsidized units including Section 8 and LIHTC — directly comparable to WCHA's property management function, though at much greater scale.

Direct peers

• Bucks County Housing Authority: Pennsylvania county housing authority administering Section 8 HCV, public housing, and senior housing programs in Bucks County. Operates the same HUD county-HFA model as WCHA, including LIHTC-financed senior developments.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): Largest Pennsylvania public housing authority, administering public housing, Section 8 HCV, and supportive housing programs under the same HUD authority framework as WCHA, though at substantially greater scale and urban density.
• Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh (HACP): Municipal housing authority administering federal public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and LIHTC units in Pittsburgh. Same state, same HUD-regulated program mix, and a similar vertically integrated owner/operator model as WCHA.
• Berks County Housing Authority: Pennsylvania county housing authority administering federal public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and affordable rental housing across Berks County — directly comparable to WCHA's program mandate and scale.
• Lancaster City Housing Authority: Pennsylvania municipal housing authority that owns and operates affordable housing communities and administers HCV, LIHTC, and self-sufficiency programs — directly comparable program mix and county-scale operations.
• Allegheny County Housing Authority: County-level public housing authority administering Section 8 HCV, public housing, and LIHTC programs in neighboring Allegheny County, PA. Operates an even larger portfolio of affordable housing communities under the same HUD regulatory framework as WCHA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westmoreland-county-housing-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Westmoreland County Housing Authority