Mobile Housing Board

What Mobile Housing Board does

Mobile Housing Board, operating as the Mobile Housing Authority (MHA), is a HUD-designated public housing authority established in 1937 and headquartered at 151 S. Claiborne Street in Mobile, Alabama. It is the second largest public housing authority in Alabama, with 85+ employees, and serves 5,276 households through three core programs: public housing (2,665 units across 11 developments), the Housing Choice Voucher Program / Section 8 (3,900+ vouchers), and Senior Living facilities (Central Plaza Towers, Downtown Renaissance, Emerson Gardens). The portfolio spans family and senior developments across Mobile and Prichard, including Thomas James Place (796 units), RV Taylor Plaza (450 units), Orange Grove Homes (247 units), Gulf Village Homes (199 units), Oaklawn Homes (100 units), and The Renaissance / Renaissance Gardens, with several properties undergoing Section 18 demolition/disposition and redevelopment under HUD oversight.

Revenue mechanics are almost entirely federally driven: MHA receives Capital Fund Program grants, operating subsidies, and HCV administrative fees from HUD, supplemented by rental income from public housing residents (capped at 30% of adjusted household income) and Housing Assistance Payments passed through to private landlords participating in the voucher program. Tenant-facing operations are supported by RentCafe (recertifications, document management), Securecafe (applications and waitlist), GoSection8 and ALHousingSearch.org (unit listings), and Microsoft Forms (portability requests), with procurement handled through a dedicated vendor portal. The organization also operates a Housing Choice Voucher landlord recruitment program to expand voucher utilization.

Beyond housing provision, MHA has built an economic empowerment ecosystem anchored by the 25,000-square-foot Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development, which houses a training center, JobTech resource center, computer lab, small business incubator, and child development center. Adjacent programs include the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (with escrow accounts tied to earned-income growth), the Senior Wellness Program, the SWEET-P Summer Jobs Program for residents ages 16-23, Economic Empowerment Workshops co-presented with the MLK Avenue Redevelopment Corporation and sponsored by ServisFirst Bank, Hancock Whitney Bank, and the Fuse Project, and a Homeownership Program operated in partnership with the NAREB Mobile Chapter. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via 12+ physical rental offices, online portals, and community events, with no commercial customer concentration.

Name

Mobile Housing Board

Legal name

Mobile Housing Board

Website

https://mobilehousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mobile Housing Authority is a HUD-designated public housing authority in Mobile, Alabama, serving 5,276 low-income households and seniors through 2,665 public housing units, 3,900+ Housing Choice Vouchers, senior living facilities, and an economic empowerment ecosystem anchored by the Clinton L. Johnson Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Residential Property Managers (531311), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management (BPAJAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Senior & Assisted Living Residential Property Management (BPAJAFAE)

Keywords

• Public housing services
• Affordable housing programs
• Housing choice vouchers
• Senior living facilities
• HUD housing assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Mobile

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal HUD Funding: Primary funding source from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development including Capital Fund Program grants, operating subsidies, and Housing Choice Voucher administrative fees
2. Rental Income: Rental payments from public housing residents based on income (typically 30% of adjusted income)
3. Housing Assistance Payments (HAP): Federal funds passed through to landlords on behalf of Section 8 participants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mobile Housing Authority (formerly Mobile Housing Board) is a HUD-designated public housing authority that owns and manages 2,665 public housing units across 11 developments in Mobile and Prichard, Alabama, and administers a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program with 3,900+ vouchers. The organization also operates dedicated senior living facilities and provides economic empowerment programs including job training, family self-sufficiency services, and homeownership preparation.

Product overview

Mobile Housing Board is a public housing authority providing housing and economic empowerment services through multiple programs. The core offerings include Public Housing (Affordable Housing with 2,000+ units across 12 developments) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 with 3,900+ vouchers). These are complemented by Senior Living facilities (Central Plaza Towers, Downtown Renaissance, and Emerson Gardens) and supportive services including the Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development, Family Self-Sufficiency Program, Senior Wellness Program, and Economic Empowerment Workshops. The organization also operates specific housing properties including Gulf Village Homes, Oaklawn Homes, Orange Grove Homes, RV Taylor Plaza, Thomas James Place, The Renaissance, and The Renaissance Gardens.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing (Affordable Housing) Conventional public housing program consisting of over 2,000+ units across 12 family and senior developments in Mobile and Prichard, Alabama with unit sizes ranging from 1-3 bedrooms, available to eligible low-income families.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Federally funded rental assistance program providing housing choice to eligible families based on family size and household income, managed through approximately 3,900+ vouchers with private landlords across Mobile County.
• Senior Living Senior housing program for residents aged 62 and older including Central Plaza Towers, Downtown Renaissance, and Emerson Gardens with income-based rent and supportive services.
• Central Plaza Towers Senior living facility at 300 Bayshore Ave in Mobile, Alabama with 0, 1, and 2 bedroom apartments featuring on-site laundry, gated entry, and cable TV connections, available to seniors 62 and older with income-based rent.
• Downtown Renaissance Senior living facility in the Renaissance Corridor offering 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with recreational activities and secured entry access for residents 62 and older.
• Emerson Gardens Senior retirement community at 759 Palmetto Street in Mobile, Alabama with 94 brick apartments featuring front porches and a community center, for residents 62 and older.
• Gulf Village Homes 199-unit apartment community in Prichard, Alabama with 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom apartments in duplexes featuring a basketball court and Girl Scouts building, available to eligible families.
• Oaklawn Homes 100 two-story two and three bedroom apartments for families located on the Southside of Mobile, Alabama.
• Orange Grove Homes 247-unit garden apartment community in Downtown Mobile with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom two-story apartments featuring an intergenerational community garden and the W.E.A.L.T.H. Program.
• RV Taylor Plaza 450-unit apartment community with 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 bedroom apartments featuring a Boys & Girls Club and operated as part of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.
• Thomas James Place 796-apartment community with 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units featuring an economic development center, daycare, Dollar General, and Boys & Girls Club.
• The Renaissance Homeownership Catalyst Community with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom homes featuring fully-equipped kitchens and educational programs for homeownership preparation.
• The Renaissance Gardens 87-unit new community of 2 and 3 bedroom duplexes and single building apartments as part of the Renaissance Corridor.
• Homeownership Program Customer acquisition platform designed to help families achieve homeownership and economic independence through homeownership preparation resources.
• Economic Empowerment Workshops Financial management workshops covering credit, cash and debt management, saving, and investing presented with MLK Avenue Redevelopment Corporation.
• Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development (Training Center) 25,000 square foot resource center providing job training, employability assistance, computer training lab, small business incubator, and child development center.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program helping residents move toward economic independence with escrow accounts established based on increases in earned income.
• Senior Wellness Program Program promoting health, independence, and quality of life for senior residents through case management, transportation, recreational activities, and meal services.
• SWEET-P Summer Jobs Program Summer work employment program for residents ages 16-23 providing pre-employment training and on-the-job training opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,276 households served through public housing and HCV programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• T-MobileminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016T-Mobile donated 226 smart tablet computers to MHB families in affordable housing developments, along with one year of free internet service. Tablets were preloaded with educational applications and distributed through training sessions conducted by MHB and Mobile Public Library.
• Mobile Public LibraryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMobile Public Library conducted training sessions to teach MHB residents how to use their new smart tablets. Library staff provided digital literacy instruction at Ben May Library and other branches.
• Mobile County Public School SystemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCPSS partnered with MHB on the ConnectHome initiative, providing educational applications and resources preloaded on tablets to improve academic outcomes for children in MHB families.
• MLK Avenue Redevelopment CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Economic Empowerment Workshops with MHA, focusing on financial management, credit, cash and debt management, and saving/investing education for community members.
• ServisFirst BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of MHA & MLKARC Economic Empowerment Workshop held on February 20, 2023, supporting financial education and empowerment programs.
• Hancock Whitney BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of MHA & MLKARC Economic Empowerment Workshops series, supporting homeownership and wealth building education programs.
• Fuse ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of MHA & MLKARC Economic Empowerment Workshops supporting financial education and community empowerment initiatives.
• NAREB - Mobile Chapter (National Association of Real Estate Brokers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with MHA for Community Wealth Building Day events focused on advancing homeownership through access, helping renters, voucher holders, and first-time homebuyers build wealth through real estate.
• University of South Alabama Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing free small business development workshop referrals through the Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development.
• Women's Business Assistance CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing free workshop referrals for women entrepreneurs through the Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development.
• Mobile Area Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing workshop referrals and business development support through the Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Birmingham Housing Authority: Largest PHA in Alabama, operating public housing and HCV programs in Birmingham. Most directly comparable peer given shared state, similar HUD oversight structure, and overlapping resident demographics.
• Huntsville Housing Authority: Mid-sized Alabama PHA providing public housing, HCV, and senior housing programs. Comparable to MHA in scale, programmatic mix, and regulatory environment.
• Housing Authority of the City of Montgomery (HACM): Alabama PHA administering public housing and Section 8 vouchers in Montgomery. Similar size and scope to MHA with comparable senior living and self-sufficiency programming.

Regional players

• Tampa Housing Authority: Florida-based PHA providing public housing, HCV, and senior living. Comparable in size and programmatic mix to MHA, with similar Gulf Coast exposure.
• Jacksonville Housing Authority: Regional PHA serving Jacksonville, Florida with public housing, HCV, and senior programs. Comparable Southeast coastal PHA with similar climate, hurricane exposure, and demographic profile.
• Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO): Gulf Coast PHA managing public housing and HCV post-Hurricane Katrina redevelopment. Relevant peer for disaster recovery, mandatory conversions, and HUD oversight experience.

Others

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): National membership association for PHAs and housing professionals. Provides industry standards, advocacy, and training that shape MHA's operating environment.
• Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA): Membership organization for larger PHAs that influences federal housing policy and provides peer benchmarking relevant to MHA's positioning within the PHA ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Housing Authority of the City of Houston (HCHA): One of the largest PHAs in the U.S., offering public housing, HCV, and senior living across a major metropolitan area. Demonstrates how large PHAs scale property management and resident services.
• Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta (AHA): Large urban PHA operating a much larger portfolio of public housing, mixed-income developments, and HCV programs. Provides benchmark for how larger PHAs structure mixed-finance redevelopment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mhauthority
• Facebookfacebook.com/mobilehousingauthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mobile-housing-board

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Mobile Housing Board