The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer

What The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer does

The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer (BHA) is a public housing authority established in 1960 and headquartered at 1515 Fairfax Avenue in Bessemer, Alabama, operating under Alabama state law with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). BHA administers two core HUD programs: the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (473 authorized vouchers, including 70 VASH vouchers for homeless veterans) and Public Housing across a portfolio of nine properties (Braswell Homes, Southside Homes, Kate Waller Homes, Davis Heights, Asbury Howard, J.I. Cobb, Hillside Homes, Jess Lanier Manor for seniors 55+, and Thompson Manor for seniors 62+). Tenant rent is set at 30% of adjusted family income, with the balance subsidized by HUD.

Beyond housing administration, BHA operates a portfolio of resident services programs including the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) for wealth-building through escrow incentives, the Resident Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) program linking residents to community services, the YouthBuild pre-apprenticeship program for at-risk youth ages 16-24, and the Working Matters workforce development program. A 13,487 sq ft Dream Center is under development to consolidate educational, recreational, health wellness, and community partnership services. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard property management tools (RentCafe/Securecafe resident and landlord portals, Square for donations, Mapbox for mapping), with no proprietary technology products.

BHA is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Bessemer for five-year terms, with leadership including Executive Director Cortney Coleman and Deputy Executive Director Cleman Johnson. The agency operates as an independent government entity rather than a privately-owned business, with no venture capital or private equity exposure. Its 25+ community partners span education (Lawson State, Miles College, UAB), healthcare (UAB Medical West), workforce (DHR Jobs), emergency shelter (Salvation Army, Jimmie Hale Mission), and banking (Wells Fargo), positioning it as a convener of social services in the Jefferson County region.

Name

The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer

Legal name

The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer

Website

https://besha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer (BHA) is a HUD-funded public housing authority administering 473 Housing Choice Vouchers, 70 VASH vouchers, and a portfolio of nine public housing properties for low-income families, elderly residents, veterans, and persons with disabilities in Bessemer and Jefferson County, Alabama.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)

SIC

Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510), Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSALAKAA

State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs)

Financial & Insurance/Mortgage & Housing Finance/Housing Finance Agencies & Government-Sponsored Housing Programs

SECONDARYFSALAKAN

Fair Housing, Compliance & Housing Program Oversight

Financial & Insurance/Mortgage & Housing Finance/Housing Finance Agencies & Government-Sponsored Housing Programs

SECONDARYFSALAAAM

Affordable Housing / Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Mortgage Origination

Financial & Insurance/Mortgage & Housing Finance/Residential Mortgage Origination (Retail & Consumer Direct)

Keywords

• Public housing programs
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable rental housing
• Rental assistance programs
• Government housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Funding: The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer housing programs including the Housing Choice Voucher program and public housing. This funding subsidizes rental payments for eligible low-income families.
2. Tenant Rent Payments: Residents pay 30% of their adjusted income toward rent and utilities. The Housing Authority collects these payments and uses them to support operations while HUD funding covers the remaining balance of rent paid to landlords.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer (BHA) administers federally-funded housing assistance programs for low-income residents of Bessemer, Alabama. Its core offerings include the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (473 HCVs plus 70 VASH vouchers for veterans) and direct public housing units across multiple properties, supplemented by self-sufficiency, workforce development, and supportive resident services programs.

Product overview

The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer (BHA) operates as a government housing agency providing a portfolio of interconnected housing and resident services programs. The core offerings include the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (473 HCV vouchers plus 70 VASH vouchers for veterans) and Public Housing units across multiple properties (Braswell Homes, Southside Homes, Kate Waller Homes, Jess Lanier Manor, Thompson Manor, Davis Heights, J.I. Cobb/Hillside Homes). Supporting these core housing programs are add-on services including the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) and ROSS programs for resident empowerment, the YouthBuild pre-apprenticeship training program, and the Working Matters workforce development initiative. The planned Dream Center will serve as a central hub for educational, recreational, and wellness programming. BHA's services are accessible through online resident and landlord portals powered by the RentCafe platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Federally-funded rental assistance program that helps low-income families afford safe, decent, and sanitary housing in the private market by issuing housing vouchers that subsidize a portion of rent directly to landlords. BHA currently administers 473 Housing Choice Vouchers and 70 VASH vouchers for homeless veterans.
• Public Housing Rental housing program for eligible low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities, providing decent and safe units at affordable rents (30% of adjusted family income) across multiple BHA properties including Braswell Homes, Southside Homes, Kate Waller Homes, Davis Heights, Asbury Howard, J.I. Cobb, Hillside Homes, Jess Lanier Manor (55+), and Thompson Manor (62+).
• Public Housing Properties Portfolio Multiple housing developments operated by BHA including Braswell Homes, Southside Homes, Kate Waller Homes (senior housing 55+), Jess Lanier Manor (senior/disabled 55+), Thompson Manor (62+), Davis Heights, Asbury Howard, and J.I. Cobb/Hillside Homes providing rental units to eligible low-income residents.
• Available Rental Properties Market-rate and affordable rental units including Ridgeway Villa, Magnolia Place Townhome, and Willow Creek House available for lease through the BHA leasing portal.
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) Voluntary program for Section 8 HCV and Public Housing residents focused on becoming gainfully employed and building wealth through individualized training plans, with escrow savings incentives upon completion, providing a pathway to homeownership.
• Resident Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program linking residents to community services, providing adult education, life skills, job preparation, domestic violence awareness, and senior services to help residents meet lease obligations.
• YouthBuild Program Community-based pre-apprenticeship program for at-risk youth ages 16-24 who have dropped out of high school, providing job training in construction, healthcare, IT, and hospitality, along with GED/high school diploma completion and community service through affordable housing construction.
• Working Matters Workforce Development Career preparation training program for job seekers offering soft skills training, digital skills training, VR career exploration, and hands-on work experience.
• Dream Center Planned 13,487 sq ft multipurpose community center providing educational, social, recreational, health wellness services, and community partnership initiatives for BHA residents, projected to serve 2,000+ residents.

Quantifiable outcome

• 473 Housing Choice Vouchers administered providing rental assistance to low-income families
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner working with BHA to serve Bessemer residents through youth development programs and services.
• Boys Scouts of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScouting organization partner providing youth programming and development opportunities for BHA residents.
• Girls Scouts of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScouting organization partner providing youth programming and development opportunities for BHA residents.
• Lawson State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing educational instruction, career certifications, and pathways for residents including YouthBuild program participants.
• Miles CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner providing educational opportunities and pathways for BHA residents.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing educational and research collaboration opportunities for BHA residents and programs.
• Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development partner supporting affordable housing construction and rehabilitation for low-income families in Bessemer.
• United Way of Central AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community partner providing funding, resources, and coordination of social services for BHA residents.
• Urban League of Greater BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic empowerment and civil rights organization partner providing workforce development and advocacy services.
• JCCEOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity action agency partner providing economic opportunity programs and services for low-income residents.
• March of DimesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth organization partner providing maternal and infant health programs and resources for BHA residents.
• UAB Medical WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing medical services and health wellness programming for BHA residents.
• DHR Jobs ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment and job training partner providing job preparation and placement services for BHA residents.
• The Center for Families United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily services partner providing the Center for Working Families program and economic support services.
• Children's Aid Society of AlabamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild welfare organization partner providing services for children and families in the BHA community.
• Jefferson County Child Development CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly childhood development partner providing child development services and resources for BHA families.
• Bessemer Parental Involvement ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner supporting parent engagement and family involvement in children's education.
• Birmingham Health Care, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partner offering health services and wellness programs for BHA residents.
• Jimmie Hale MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency shelter provider offering shelter and emergency housing services for individuals experiencing homelessness, with Jessie's Place providing additional women's shelter services.
• Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency services provider offering shelter, emergency housing, and social services for those in need in the Bessemer area.
• First Light SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency shelter provider offering shelter services for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Birmingham area.
• Bridge MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency housing and support services provider for individuals and families in crisis.
• Family ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRunaway and homeless youth center provider offering services for youth experiencing housing instability.
• YWCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's shelter and support services provider offering emergency housing and empowerment programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Housing Authority of the City of Huntsville: Another Alabama municipal housing authority administering HUD-funded public housing and Section 8 programs. Comparable in scope and regulatory framework to BHA, operating in a different Alabama city.
• Housing Authority of the City of Birmingham (HABD): The largest public housing authority in Alabama, also serving Jefferson County. HABD administers HCV, public housing, and resident services programs in the adjacent Birmingham market, making it the closest operational and geographic peer to BHA.
• Tuscaloosa Housing Authority: Municipal housing authority in Tuscaloosa, Alabama providing federal housing assistance programs. Comparable in operational scale, funding sources, and resident service offerings to BHA.
• Jefferson County Housing Authority: County-level housing authority overlapping with BHA's Jefferson County service territory, administering HCV and public housing programs. Highly comparable mission and funding model.
• Mobile Housing Authority: Alabama municipal housing authority providing HCV, public housing, and resident services in Mobile. Directly comparable structure and program portfolio to BHA at similar municipal scale.

Broad incumbents

• HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): Federal funding and oversight body for all public housing authorities. While not a direct peer, HUD's policy direction, appropriations, and program rules fundamentally shape BHA's operating environment and constraints.

Regional players

• Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA): State-level housing finance agency administering statewide affordable housing programs including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and mortgage finance. Operates at a higher state level but shares the same HUD-funded affordable housing mission as BHA.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham: Nonprofit affordable housing developer and BHA partner. While operating a different model (homeownership construction vs. rental assistance), it is directly comparable in mission and is an active strategic partner of BHA in expanding affordable housing supply.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BessemerHA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bessemer-housing-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer