Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates

What Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates does

Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates is a public housing authority established in 1938 by the Waco City Council to provide safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low-income families, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities in McLennan County, Texas. It administers two core federally mandated programs: the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, which currently assists over 2,700 income-eligible families across McLennan County and satellite offices in Hill and Somervell Counties, and Low Income Public Housing, operated through three Waco developments (Kate Ross Homes, Estella Maxey Place, South Terrace Apartments), the affiliated Mart Housing Authority (32 units), and the Grandview Housing Authority. The organization also runs Freedom's Path Waco, a 34-unit veteran permanent supportive housing community developed through a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on the Doris Miller VA Medical Center campus.

The technology backbone consists of HAB INC's HMS housing management software (an MRI Software product) for administrative operations, the Yardi RentCafe portal for applicant/resident/landlord self-service across web and native mobile (iOS and Android), DocuSign for employment paperwork, and Google Translate for language accessibility. Add-on programmatic offerings include the HUD Homeownership Voucher Program, the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion at South Terrace, and the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program focused on resident economic advancement.

The revenue model is government-funded rather than market-priced: HUD provides annual appropriations covering Housing Assistance Payments to private landlords, public housing operating subsidies, and capital funds; tenants contribute approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent (with optional flat rents for public housing). WHA is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners chaired by Melli Wickliff, with Milet Hopping serving as President/CEO (currently undergoing an interim transition per Resolution No. 3929). Distribution relies on direct service at the 4400 Cobbs Drive headquarters, satellite offices in Hillsboro and Glen Rose, the RentCafe self-serve portal, mobile app, and a private landlord network participating in the voucher program.

Name

Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates

Legal name

Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates

Website

https://wacopha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates is a public housing authority established in 1938 that administers HUD-funded Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (2,700+ families in McLennan County) and Low Income Public Housing across three Waco developments plus Mart, Hill, and Somervell County operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Waco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Funding: WHA receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and public housing operations.
2. Tenant Rent Contributions: Tenants pay approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent. The Housing Authority pays the remaining portion called the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to landlords.
3. Public Housing Operations: Operates public housing developments including Kate Ross Homes, Estella Maxey Place, South Terrace, and Mart Housing Authority. Residents pay rent based on income (typically 30% of adjusted income).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates is a federally-mandated public housing authority that administers Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance (serving over 2,700 families in McLennan County) and operates multiple public housing developments including Kate Ross Homes, Estella Maxey Place, and South Terrace Apartments. The organization also provides specialized programs such as veteran permanent supportive housing through Freedom's Path Waco (34 units), HUD Homeownership Vouchers, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversions, Family Self-Sufficiency programming, and Community Services (senior assistance, youth programs, resident councils) for low-income families, elderly, persons with disabilities, and homeless/near-homeless veterans in Waco and surrounding counties.

Product overview

Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates operates as a public housing agency offering a portfolio of affordable housing programs and services. The core offerings include the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program (Housing Choice Vouchers) assisting over 2,700 families, and Low Income Public Housing across three developments (Kate Ross Homes, Estella Maxey Place, and South Terrace Apartments). The organization manages affiliated housing authorities in Mart, Hill County, and Somervell County, as well as the veteran-focused Freedom's Path Waco development. Add-on programs include the HUD Homeownership Voucher Program, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion program, and Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program. Digital services are delivered through the Yardi RentCafe tenant/landlord portal and a WHA Mobile App for residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Section 8 Rental Assistance Program (Housing Choice Voucher) HUD-mandated voucher tenant-based rental assistance program assisting over 2,700 income-eligible families within McLennan County to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Targets very low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
• Low Income Public Housing Federally-funded housing program providing low-income housing units across three developments—Kate Ross Homes, Estella Maxey Place, and South Terrace Apartments—covering intake of public housing clients and all management activities. Residents pay rent based on income (typically 30% of adjusted income) or flat rent by bedroom size.
• Mart Housing Authority Public housing property consisting of 32 low-income housing units located in Mart, Texas, managed by Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates as an adjacent operating subsidiary.
• Hill County Section 8 Office Section 8 rental assistance office placed under Waco Housing Authority management in 1996, assisting approximately 205 families in Hill County areas including Abbott, Aquilla, Blum, Bynum, Covington, Grandview, Hillsboro, Hubbard, Irene, Itasca, Malone, Mertens, West, and Whitney.
• Somervell County Section 8 Office Section 8 rental assistance office under Waco Housing Authority management since January 1, 2006, assisting families in Glen Rose, Texas (33 families currently receiving assistance).
• HUD Homeownership Voucher Program Program allowing Housing Choice Voucher holders to use their voucher toward buying a home instead of renting. Designed to help low-income families become homeowners by applying monthly voucher assistance to mortgage payments.
• Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program HUD program allowing conversion from Public Housing to Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers, enabling Waco Housing Authority to preserve affordable housing by securing debt and equity for improvements and modernization (currently applied to South Terrace redevelopment in partnership with Brinshore Development and Recap Advisors).
• Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program providing financial benefits to participants, assisting current residents of Waco Public Housing and Waco Housing Choice Voucher Programs in obtaining education, job training, employment, financial literacy, and skills for economic success.
• Freedom's Path Waco (Veteran Permanent Supportive Housing) Veteran Permanent Supportive Housing redevelopment on the Doris Miller VA Medical Center Campus, providing 34 studio units (26 adaptive re-use and 8 new construction units designated for mobility and sensory impaired veterans) for homeless or near-homeless veterans. Operated by Waco Public Facilities Corporation, an affiliate of WHA, with Project-Based HUD-VASH and Section 8 vouchers.
• WHA Mobile App Mobile application available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Waco Housing Authority residents and applicants to access services and information.
• Section 8 Landlord Portal Online portal for Section 8 landlords/owners to manage properties, submit documentation, receive direct deposit payments, and access housing listings in partnership with WacoHousingSearch.org.
• Community Services Program Services including senior assistance, youth programs, transportation to appointments, computer labs, resident councils, and coordination of community resources for public housing residents at Kate Ross Community Center and other WHA locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2700 income-eligible families assisted with Section 8 rental assistance in McLennan County
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA provides an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) arrangement allowing development of Freedom's Path Waco on VA Medical Center campus. VA also contributed $2.85M through the PACT Act for this veteran-centric permanent supportive housing development. WHA provides Project Based HUD-VASH and Section 8 vouchers for Veterans.
• Brinshore Development and Recap AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners assisting WHA with the RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) program for South Terrace redevelopment. Brinshore and Recap are helping with redevelopment plans, community involvement, and design choices for the property conversion.
• Waco Public Facilities CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate of WHA that manages Freedom's Path property.
• WacoHousingSearch.orgmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSection 8 landlords may post available housing with WacoHousingSearch.org at no cost. This helps connect voucher holders with available rental units.
• HAB, INC (MRI Software Company)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides HMS housing management software used as the backbone of WHA's administrative computing environment for housing operations.
• City of Waco Rental Rehabilitation ProgramsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHA cooperates with City of Waco's rental rehabilitation programs to upgrade older existing units to meet habitability requirements and appeal to potential renters.
• Doris Miller VA Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreedom's Path Waco is located on the Doris Miller VA Medical Center campus, providing proximity to VA services and programs for veteran residents.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fort Worth Housing Authority: Mid-sized Texas PHA operating public housing properties and Housing Choice Voucher program across Tarrant County. Closest direct comparable to WHA in scale and program mix.
• Killeen Housing Authority: Smaller Central Texas PHA near Fort Cavazos serving a similar low-income, veteran-adjacent population. Comparable program mix including HCV and public housing operations.

Broad incumbents

• Houston Housing Authority: Large Texas PHA serving Harris County with HCV, public housing, RAD conversions, and mixed-finance developments. Comparable as a HUD-administered municipal housing authority in Texas, though at materially larger scale than WHA.
• Dallas Housing Authority: Large Texas PHA administering HCV, public housing, and mixed-finance developments in Dallas. Comparable HUD-administered program portfolio though at city-scale larger than WHA.
• Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA): Texas PHA operating public housing and HCV in Austin/Travis County with substantial RAD redevelopment activity. Comparable PHA structure, differing in higher-cost market dynamics.
• San Antonio Housing Authority: Texas PHA administering Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Bexar County. Operates a similar mix of HCV, public housing, FSS, and special programs (veterans, homeownership) as WHA.

Regional players

• Corpus Christi Housing Authority: Texas PHA serving Nueces County with HCV and public housing. Comparable HUD-administered program structure though in a different regional market.
• Arlington Housing Authority: Mid-sized Texas PHA serving Arlington. Comparable in scale to WHA and focused on similar HCV and public housing programs.
• Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office: County-level housing assistance office in Tarrant County. Directly comparable to WHA's county-level program administration structure for Section 8 assistance.

Others

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): National membership organization for PHAs. Relevant as an industry body that WHA engages with for policy, training, and federal advocacy on HUD program administration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates