The Housing Authority of the County of Chester

What The Housing Authority of the County of Chester does

The Housing Authority of the County of Chester (HACC) is a government housing authority established in 1963 to provide affordable housing for low and very low income residents of Chester County, Pennsylvania. HACC directly owns and manages 206 public housing units across the county and administers 2,400+ Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) through a private landlord network, collectively serving over 1,700 families. Its physical footprint spans developments in Oxford, West Chester, Phoenixville, Coatesville, and South Coatesville, with an additional 99 units managed through limited partnerships by affiliates such as WCRMS and implementation partners including The Community Builders, Pennrose, and the Housing Development Corporation.

HACC's service portfolio extends beyond housing subsidies into a layered set of supportive programs: the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program, HUD-VASH for homeless veterans, a Housing Locator Program offering up to one year of case management, and a Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program that allows qualifying participants to apply vouchers toward mortgage payments. The authority is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Chester County Commissioners and is regulated and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with additional partnerships spanning the Chester County Department of Human Services, the VA, United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, and numerous NGOs serving special needs populations.

HACC's revenue model is fundamentally a federal pass-through: HUD provides approximately $22.5M annually for HCVP administration, approximately $1.8M in Public Housing Operating Subsidy (2010 baseline), approximately $411K in Capital Fund (2010 baseline), and historical Replacement Housing Factor awards totaling approximately $3.6M. Tenant contributions are income-based at typically 30% of adjusted gross income, averaging $301/month across public housing units. Technology infrastructure centers on the RentCafe tenant/landlord portal, Applicant Portal, and Landlord Portal for application processing, waitlist tracking, document submission, and program status updates.

Name

The Housing Authority of the County of Chester

Legal name

The Housing Authority of the County of Chester

Website

https://haccnet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HACC is a government housing authority established in 1963 that administers Public Housing (206 units) and Housing Choice Vouchers (2,400+) for low-income residents of Chester County, Pennsylvania, funded primarily by HUD and supplemented by self-sufficiency and supportive service programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Authority Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Rental and Leasing Services (532), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510), Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB)

Keywords

• Public housing management
• Housing choice vouchers
• Section 8 rental assistance
• Affordable housing programs
• Rental subsidy administration

Headquarters

HQ city

West Chester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. HUD Public Housing Operating Subsidy: Federal funding from U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for public housing operations. In 2010, approximately $1.8 million annually. Funding levels vary based on unit count and operational needs.
2. HUD Capital Fund: Federal capital funding for public housing improvements and renovations. Approximately $411,000 in 2010. Used for modernization and capital improvements.
3. Housing Choice Voucher Program Funding: Approximately $22.5 million annually received for HCVP administration including special funding for VASH program and Family Self-Sufficiency program coordinator.
4. Replacement Housing Factor (RHF) Funding: Special funding awarded over the years totaling approximately $3.6 million for replacement housing when public housing units were demolished or disposed of through HOPE VI program.
5. Tenant Rent Payments: Residents pay portion of rent based on income (typically 30% of adjusted gross income). Average monthly rent in Public Housing is $301.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HACC owns and manages 206 public housing units directly (plus 99 additional units through limited partnerships) across Chester County, providing federally subsidized rental housing to low- and very-low-income families, elderly residents, and individuals with disabilities. It also administers 2,400+ Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), paying a portion of rent directly to private-market landlords on behalf of eligible participants. Supportive programs include Family Self-Sufficiency, ROSS, VASH for homeless veterans, Housing Locator case management, and an HCV Homeownership program.

Product overview

The Housing Authority of the County of Chester (HACC) operates as a public housing authority providing affordable housing through two core programs: Public Housing (direct ownership and management of 206 units plus 99 units through limited partnerships) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8, serving 2,400+ vouchers). The organization offers a tenant/landlord portal (RentCafe) for program management. Supportive services include the Family Self Sufficiency Program, ROSS Program, VASH Program for veterans, Housing Locator Program, and a Homeownership Program enabling voucher holders to purchase homes. HACC manages housing developments across Chester County including Oxford Terrace, Church Street Towers, King Terrace, and others, serving elderly, disabled, and family populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing Program Federally funded rental housing at properties owned and managed directly by HACC (206 units) plus 99 additional units owned by limited partnerships, serving elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, and families across Chester County.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) / Section 8 Rental assistance program allowing eligible participants to secure housing in the private sector (single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments), with HACC paying a portion of rent directly to participating landlords.
• Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) Case management and support services for HCVP participants focused on employment, education, financial literacy, and homeownership preparation, with interest-bearing escrow accounts to reward income growth.
• Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program Connects public housing residents with resources for employment, education, financial literacy, health services, childcare, and transportation through a dedicated ROSS Service Coordinator.
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program HUD-VA partnership providing Housing Choice Vouchers combined with VA case management and clinical services for homeless veterans in Chester County.
• Housing Locator Program Assists Chester County households in finding and securing safe, affordable housing through search assistance, advisement, lease-up support, and case management for up to one year.
• HCV Homeownership Program Allows qualified HCVP participants to use their housing vouchers toward monthly mortgage payments instead of rent, enabling low-income families to purchase homes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.74% recertification rate achieved, exceeding HUD requirements
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• Chester County Department of Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partnership with County's Department of Human Services, especially the unit concerning services to the elderly. Collaboration on housing and supportive services for low and moderate income residents.
• Chester County Department of Community DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished strong working relationship for community development initiatives. Primary governmental partner for housing programs and community development.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary federal funder and regulator. HACC receives Operating Subsidy, Capital Fund, Replacement Housing Factor funding, and HCVP funding from HUD. Program monitored by HUD.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to administer HUD-VASH Program combining rental assistance with VA case management and clinical services for homeless veterans.
• Chester County Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness community engagement and partnership for economic development and community relations.
• United Way of Chester CountymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community services and support programs for residents.
• Housing Development Corporation (HDC)moderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManages Hannum Gardens property with 16 Public Housing and 15 Income-Restricted units for families.
• The Community Builders (TCB)moderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManages Garnet Terrace property with 37 Public Housing and 10 Income-Restricted units for families in Coatesville.
• PennrosemoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManages Fairview Village property with 25 Public Housing and 11 Income-Restricted units for families and single households in Phoenixville.
• WCRMS (West Chester Residential Management Services)moderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAffiliate entity managing 99 of the 331 public housing units.
• Residential Living OptionsmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO dedicated to serving special needs populations in Chester County.
• Decades To DoorwaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for housing and services.
• Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization serving veterans in the community.
• Chester County Assisted Living OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of assisted living organizations for emergency housing guide resources.
• Various NGOs Serving Special Needs PopulationsmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious non-governmental organizations dedicated to serving special needs populations and low income residents of the County.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Housing Authority of the County of Delaware (DELCOHA): County-level housing authority serving Delaware County, PA — HACC's immediate neighbor with the same Public Housing + HCVP structure. Provides a clean geographic comparison for county-level operating efficiency and voucher scale.
• Montgomery County Housing Authority: County housing authority serving Montgomery County, PA adjacent to Chester County. Same HUD-funded mission and program portfolio (Public Housing, HCVP, supportive services), enabling direct benchmarking across suburban Pennsylvania markets.
• Bucks County Housing Authority: Pennsylvania county-level housing authority with a similar Public Housing + HCVP structure serving Bucks County. Provides another suburban-PA peer for program and operational benchmarking.

Direct peers

• Housing Authority County of San Mateo: Suburban California county housing authority administering HUD-funded public housing and HCVP. Comparable suburban-affordable-housing profile and program mix to HACC despite different geography.
• Baltimore City Housing Authority: Municipal housing authority administering HUD programs in Baltimore, MD — where HACC's CEO Paul Diggs previously held leadership positions. Provides direct programmatic comparability and a relevant reference for post-turnaround operations.
• Housing Authority of Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania municipal housing authority administering a much larger portfolio of HUD-funded housing and vouchers. Same programmatic framework (FSS, ROSS, VASH, homeownership) at greater scale, relevant for understanding growth trajectories.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): Largest housing authority in Pennsylvania, administering both Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers in Philadelphia. Operates the same dual HUD-funded model as HACC with comparable programs (FSS, ROSS, VASH), making it the most directly comparable peer by program structure.
• Housing Authority of the City of Lancaster: Pennsylvania municipal housing authority administering Public Housing, HCVP, and self-sufficiency programs. Comparable mid-sized authority with overlapping programs including homeownership pathways and supportive services.
• Reading Housing Authority: Pennsylvania housing authority administering HUD-funded public housing and HCVP for Berks County residents. Comparable scale and program mix to HACC, particularly relevant for benchmarking voucher administration and recertification performance.

Others

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): National membership organization representing housing authorities including HACC. Less a peer than an ecosystem body, but HACC's CEO Paul Diggs is now Regional President of its Mid-Atlantic Council (MARC-NAHRO), making it a strategic counterpart.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HousingAuthofCC
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100064064858864
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/108276424
• Instagraminstagram.com/chester_county_housing_auth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 The Housing Authority of the County of Chester