Oakland Housing Authority

What Oakland Housing Authority does

Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) is a local government public housing authority established in 1938 and governed by a Board of Commissioners under California state law. It administers federally funded affordable housing programs for approximately 30,000 Oakland residents — roughly 7% of the city's population — through three core programs: traditional Public Housing, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs attached to specific developments. Revenue is generated from HUD operating and capital subsidies, income-based tenant rents (capped at 30% of adjusted gross income), Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments, and HUD administrative fees for voucher management. Pricing is set by federal guidelines, leaving OHA no commercial pricing power; the unit of value is subsidized housing units delivered, not dollars collected.

OHA operates a multi-entity corporate structure with eight affiliated nonprofit subsidiaries, each serving a discrete function: OAHPI preserves 250+ formerly OHA-owned properties; CAHI administers a 574-property Northern California portfolio serving more than 43,000 residents; Oak LEAF (formed 2025) provides flexible acquisition and development financing; the OHA Foundation (1984) delivers 501(c)(3) resident services including scholarships, food distribution via the NEAT Food Pantry, and emergency assistance; THC, OHI, KHI, and RAMP Housing support housing operations, governance, and charitable activities. This ecosystem enables OHA to function as a quasi-developer, asset manager, service provider, and community safety operator (via the CALEA-accredited OHA Police Department) within a single public-agency umbrella.

OHA's go-to-market is direct-to-resident: services are delivered through headquarters at 1619 Harrison Street and East and West district offices, supplemented by online Resident and Landlord Portals. Distribution of housing assistance flows through public housing units, tenant-based vouchers used with private landlords, and project-based subsidies committed to developer partners including EBALDC, Eden Housing, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, and Abode Communities. OHA's technology footprint is limited to the two web portals described; no proprietary systems, mobile applications, AI, or developer-facing APIs were identified. The organization has no mobile app and no disclosed integrations beyond its CMS.

Name

Oakland Housing Authority

Legal name

Oakland Housing Authority

Website

https://oakha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Oakland Housing Authority is a local public housing agency, founded 1938, that administers HUD-funded Public Housing, Section 8 Voucher, and Project-Based Voucher programs serving roughly 30,000 low-income Oakland residents through direct service delivery and an ecosystem of eight affiliated nonprofit subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Administration of Housing Programs (92511), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (531110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Public housing administration
• Section 8 vouchers
• Project-based vouchers
• Affordable housing programs
• Low-income housing assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HUD Government Funding: Primary funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for public housing operations and Section 8 voucher programs.
2. Rental Income: Rental income from public housing units, with rents based on tenant income levels.
3. Section 8 Administrative Fees: Administrative fees received from HUD for managing the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Oakland Housing Authority administers federally funded affordable housing programs for low-income Oakland residents, including traditional Public Housing units, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Project-Based Vouchers tied to specific developments, and supportive programs such as homeownership assistance and Family Self-Sufficiency. Services are delivered through owned-and-managed housing, partnerships with private landlords and nonprofit developers, and on-site district offices in East and West Oakland, with federal HUD funding as the primary revenue source.

Product overview

Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) offers a unified portfolio of affordable housing programs and resident services. The core housing programs include Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (including Project-Based Vouchers). Supporting these are multiple service modules: resident portals for account management, the Section 8 Homeownership Program for mortgage assistance, and the Family Self-Sufficiency Program with escrow incentives. OHA extends its reach through affiliated nonprofits including OAHPI (preserving 250+ properties), CAHI (574 properties across Northern California), the OHA Foundation (supporting residents since 1984), and the newly formed Oak LEAF (2025) for development financing. Resident-facing services include NEAT Food Pantries, Education Initiative, Employment Development, Free WiFi, Computer Lab access, and Community Events. OHA also operates its own Police Department for community safety. The ecosystem operates as a platform of interconnected housing programs supported by subsidiary organizations, all focused on expanding and preserving affordable housing in Oakland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing Programs Traditional public housing program providing quality housing for low-income persons, with units owned and operated directly by Oakland Housing Authority at income-based rents.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Federal rental assistance program helping very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities afford housing in the private market by paying the difference between tenant contribution (typically 30% of income) and HUD payment standard.
• Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Programs Housing assistance program where rental subsidies are attached to specific affordable housing units, including through the Oakland Affordable Housing Preservation Initiatives (OAHPI) PBV waitlist. Vouchers follow the unit rather than the tenant, enabling long-term affordability in partnered developments.
• Section 8 Homeownership Program Program allowing qualifying Section 8 voucher holders to use their housing assistance to make monthly mortgage payments on a purchased home rather than paying rent to a landlord, providing a pathway to homeownership for low-income families.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program promoting economic self-sufficiency among participating OHA families through coordinated services and escrow account incentives tied to increases in earned income during program participation.
• Oakland Affordable Housing Preservation Initiatives (OAHPI) Affiliated nonprofit dedicated to acquiring, developing, and operating affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in Oakland, administering a project-based voucher program and managing more than 250 formerly OHA-owned properties.
• California Affordable Housing Initiatives (CAHI) Affiliated nonprofit that administers project-based housing subsidies on behalf of HUD across Northern California, managing a 574-property portfolio supporting more than 43,000 residents.
• OHA Foundation (OHAF) 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Oakland Housing Authority residents through programs promoting stability, dignity, and opportunity — including employment training, educational programs, scholarships, youth activities, senior support, and emergency assistance.
• Oak Leading Edge Affordability Fund (Oak LEAF) Tax-exempt supporting organization formed in 2025 to preserve, expand, and accelerate planned affordable housing opportunities in Oakland by providing flexible financing for housing acquisition, preservation, and development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000 Oakland residents served through housing programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026OHA has a longstanding partnership with EBALDC, currently providing subsidies to 606 project-based voucher units. OHA committed 25 project-based vouchers ($651,600 annually, $13M+ over 20 years) for 34th & San Pablo development.
• Abode CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Development partner for 34th & San Pablo, a 100% affordable housing development bringing 60 homes to West Oakland.
• Native American Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026OHA supported Flicker Bird Homes through its Rental Assistance Subsidy (RAS) Program, committing more than $2.5 million for 21 permanent supportive housing units. The development integrates affordable housing with healthcare services.
• Satellite Affordable Housing AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Co-developer of Flicker Bird Homes in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, a 76-unit mixed-use affordable housing development.
• Eden HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026OHA joined Eden Housing to celebrate the groundbreaking of 2700 International Blvd, a permanent supportive housing development for veterans. OHA committed 19 VASH vouchers and a $3.8 million development loan.
• The Unity CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Partner in the 2700 International Blvd development serving veterans, combining affordable housing with supportive services.
• John Stewart CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Development partner for 2700 International Blvd veteran housing project, providing property management and development expertise.
• East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026OHA partnered with EBHO during Affordable Housing Month to host events celebrating housing preservation and new development. EBHO leads the regional Affordable Housing Month celebration each May, and OHA participated in property rehabilitations, groundbreaking celebrations, and site tours.
• Alameda County Community Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHA partners with ACCFB for holiday food distributions and ongoing food assistance programs. The OHA Foundation works with ACCFB to provide food resources to residents.
• Oakland BallersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOHA partnered with the Oakland Ballers for 'Swing Into Summer' community event, bringing residents together for entertainment and program information.
• The Links, Incorporated (Alameda Contra Costa Chapter)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOHA partnered with The Links, Incorporated for the 'Brand Like A Boss' program, a professional development and entrepreneurship event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta: Mid-to-large municipal housing authority operating public housing and HCV programs in Atlanta; comparable to OHA in core mandate, HUD reliance, and reliance on mixed-income redevelopment as a growth lever.
• Seattle Housing Authority: High-cost-coast municipal housing authority operating public housing, HCV, and a substantial low-income housing development pipeline; directly comparable to OHA in coastal-market cost pressures and reliance on layered subsidies.
• City of Berkeley Housing Authority: Adjacent Bay Area public housing authority administering HUD-funded housing programs in Berkeley; closely comparable to OHA in scale, mission, regulatory framework, and East Bay operating context.
• San Francisco Housing Authority: Direct municipal peer administering HUD public housing and Section 8 vouchers in San Francisco; comparable in mission, regulatory mandate, and program mix (public housing, HCV, project-based) to OHA, with similar funding concentration and resident services model.
• Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA): Combined housing authority and redevelopment agency administering public housing, Section 8, and development programs in Sacramento; comparable in California public-sector model and integration of housing operations with development activity.
• Los Angeles Housing Authority (HACLA): One of the largest US public housing authorities, administering public housing, Section 8, and a wide affiliate ecosystem in Los Angeles; highly comparable to OHA in core function and program structure, though materially larger in scale.
• Boston Housing Authority (BHA): Municipal housing authority administering public housing, Section 8, and supportive housing programs in Boston; directly comparable in program mix and in operating an in-house police department for community safety.
• San Diego Housing Commission: California public housing agency administering HCV and local affordable housing programs in San Diego; directly comparable to OHA in operating model, HUD reliance, and jurisdiction-level scope.

Others

• Eden Housing: Bay Area nonprofit affordable housing developer and OHA co-development partner (2700 International Blvd); comparable as an adjacent affordable housing operator that translates OHA-style PBV/voucher commitments into built units.
• EBALDC (East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation): Nonprofit affordable housing developer that is both an OHA partner (606 PBV units, 34th & San Pablo) and a Bay Area peer; comparable as an adjacent affordable housing operator reliant on OHA-style PBV commitments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OaklandHousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oakland-housing-authority
• Xx.com/OaklandHousing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Oakland Housing Authority