Washington County Authority
Washington County Housing Authority is a government public housing authority in Washington, PA that administers federally funded Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs for very low-income families, elderly, and disabled residents across 1,000+ units countywide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1941
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Washington County Authority does
Washington County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a government public housing authority established under Pennsylvania state law to administer federally funded affordable housing programs within Washington County, PA. The organization operates two core programs: Public Housing, providing conventional rental units across a distributed portfolio of over 1,000 units spanning family sites, elderly/disabled hi-rise buildings, and scattered-site apartments in municipalities including Washington, Canonsburg, Bentleyville, California, Fredericktown, Donora, Monongahela, and North Charleroi; and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, which enables very low-income households to rent in the private market with WCHA paying a portion of rent directly to landlords. Program eligibility is based on HUD-defined income limits and preference points are awarded to veterans, disabled individuals, and victims of domestic violence, with tenants paying approximately 30% of adjusted gross income in rent.
The underlying technology stack is minimal and process-oriented rather than technologically differentiated: a Wix-hosted website (wchapa.org) provides program information, online pre-applications via an Adobe eSignWidget, a 24/7 maintenance request line, and digital document handling. No proprietary software, mobile applications, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities are documented. Service delivery is augmented through a strategic partnership with Blueprints (a community agency serving Washington & Greene Counties since 1965), which places Head Start classrooms on-site at five WCHA properties and deploys ROSS Service Coordinators for goal planning and supportive services.
WCHA's revenue mechanics are not commercial: the authority is funded primarily through HUD federal operating subsidies and HCV administrative fees, supplemented by tenant rental payments. Pricing is income-based and non-market (30% of adjusted gross income plus a $100 security deposit), with a small ancillary revenue line from $5-per-page notary services. The organization is governed by a board of commissioners and operates with a small staff headcount (11-50 employees), without equity owners, parent company, or capital markets exposure. Expansion is bounded by its HUD-defined geographic jurisdiction and federal program rules, with growth driven by appropriations and policy rather than market competition.
Washington County Authority firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Washington County Authority
- Legal name
- Washington County Housing Authority
- Website
- https://wchapa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1941
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Washington County Housing Authority is a government public housing authority in Washington, PA that administers federally funded Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs for very low-income families, elderly, and disabled residents across 1,000+ units countywide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Washington County Authority industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Housing Assistance
- NAICS
- Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300), Real Estate (6500)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) (FSALAKAA), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)
Keywords
Where Washington County Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Washington County Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- HUD Federal Funding: Primary funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs. The authority receives federal funds to operate housing assistance programs for very low-income families.
- Tenant Rent Payments: Residents pay 30% of their income for monthly rental, with a $100 security deposit required at move-in. Some residents receive utility allowances based on their utility expenses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Public Housing Rent - Income-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Washington County Authority product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Washington County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a government public housing agency that administers two core federal housing programs — Public Housing (conventional affordable rental units) and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program — across multiple sites in Washington County, Pennsylvania. It serves very low-income families, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities, and supports residents through maintenance services, pre-application intake, and community partnerships (Head Start and ROSS programs).
Product overview
Washington County Housing Authority operates as a public housing authority providing affordable housing solutions through two core programs: Public Housing (conventional rental housing at multiple sites across Washington County) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 rental assistance). The authority administers these programs across numerous housing sites including family sites, elderly hi-rise buildings, and scattered site apartments throughout Washington, Canonsburg, Bentleyville, California, Fredericktown, Donora, Monongahela, and North Charleroi. Community partnerships with BluePrints extend services to include Head Start early childhood education and ROSS self-sufficiency programs. Additional services include maintenance operations, pre-application processing, notary services, and PHADA scholarship opportunities for resident youth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Public Housing Affordable rental housing for low and moderate-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities across Washington County, PA, delivered through multiple sites and various unit sizes.
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8) Federal rental assistance program helping very low-income families, elderly, and persons with disabilities afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market, with WCHA paying a portion of rent directly to landlords.
- Maintenance Services Property maintenance services for public housing units covering carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, painting, and grounds maintenance, with a 24/7 request line.
- Pre-Application for Housing Online and downloadable pre-application process for public housing eligibility, including income verification and placement on waiting lists.
- Head Start Program Comprehensive child development program serving children ages 3-5 and their families in Washington and Greene Counties through the BluePrints partnership, offered in center and home-based options at WCHA sites.
- Resident Opportunities & Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program On-site service coordination providing goal planning and delivery of supportive services including early childhood education, nutrition, career development, and money management for WCHA residents.
- Notary Services Notary services provided for housing-related documents at $5.00 per page.
Quantifiable outcome
- Administers public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs for Washington County, PA
Companies that use Washington County Authority
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Washington County Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Washington County Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- PHADA (Public Housing Authorities Directors Association)minorPHADA has recognized academic excellence in public and assisted housing youth through its scholarship program since 1985. In 2025, PHADA awarded three scholarships to deserving high school seniors residing in public and assisted housing. WCHA promotes these scholarship opportunities to student residents.
- BlueprintscoreBlueprints is a change agency serving Washington & Greene Counties since 1965. They partner with WCHA through several initiatives including Head Start (with classrooms at Highland Terrace, Jollick Manor, Lincoln Terrace, Maple Terrace, and Valley View Terrace) and the ROSS (Resident Opportunities & Self-Sufficiency) program where a Service Coordinator provides goal planning and coordinates supportive services on-site weekly.
- NAHRO (National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials)coreNational professional organization for housing and redevelopment officials. WCHA participates in NAHRO programs including the annual What Home Means to Me poster contest for children in affordable housing. NAHRO compiles the national calendar featuring 12 winning posters distributed to member agencies and Congress.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Washington County Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh: City-level PHA administering public housing and HCV programs in Pittsburgh, PA. Directly comparable in program structure, federal funding model, and tenant population to WCHA's Washington County operations.
- Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): Pennsylvania's largest PHA, operating tens of thousands of public housing units and HCV vouchers. Same regulatory framework (HUD/HCV), same resident population profile, but materially larger scale and urban context.
- Allegheny County Housing Authority: Adjacent Pennsylvania county housing authority administering Public Housing and Section 8 programs. Directly comparable in mission, program mix, and regulatory structure to WCHA, but operating at substantially larger scale in the Pittsburgh metro area.
Others
- National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): National membership organization for housing authorities. WCHA is an active NAHRO member participating in its poster contest and other programs. Relevant as the industry association representing WCHA's peer group and policy interests.
- Philadelphia Regional Integrated Collaborative on Housing (PRICH): Coalition of Pennsylvania housing authorities and partners. While not a direct operator, it represents the collective voice and policy platform for PHAs in the region, relevant for understanding WCHA's policy environment and peer benchmarking.
- HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): Federal funding and regulatory authority for all U.S. Public Housing Authorities including WCHA. As the sole source of WCHA's primary revenue stream and the rulemaker for its programs, HUD functions as the upstream counterparty rather than a competitor.
Regional players
- Fayette County Housing Authority: Southwestern Pennsylvania PHA with similar program mix and resident demographics in a comparable rust-belt county. Useful benchmark for understanding funding and scale dynamics for small/medium PHAs in the region.
- Beaver County Housing Authority: Western Pennsylvania PHA administering Public Housing and HCV programs in a similar demographic and economic setting. Directly comparable in scale, program offerings, and federal funding reliance.
- Greene County Housing Authority: Adjacent Pennsylvania county PHA. Notably, WCHA's partner Blueprints already serves both Washington and Greene Counties, making Greene County a natural peer for shared-services and program-overlap comparisons.
- Westmoreland County Housing Authority: Neighboring county PHA in southwestern Pennsylvania serving a similar exurban/rural population with public housing and voucher programs. Comparable in scale and resident demographics to WCHA.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Washington County Authority social profiles
Digital presenceWashington County Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington County Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Washington County Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Washington County Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Washington County Authority
What does Washington County Authority do?
Washington County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a government public housing agency that administers two core federal housing programs — Public Housing (conventional affordable rental units) and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program — across multiple sites in Washington County, Pennsylvania. It serves very low-income families, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities, and supports residents through maintenance services, pre-application intake, and community partnerships (Head Start and ROSS programs).
Is Washington County Authority a public or private company?
Washington County Authority is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Washington County Authority founded?
Washington County Authority was founded in 1941. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Washington County Authority based?
Washington County Authority is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington County Authority make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. HUD Federal Funding is the primary driver. The others are tenant Rent Payments.
Who are Washington County Authority's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and Allegheny County Housing Authority. Others are National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), Philadelphia Regional Integrated Collaborative on Housing (PRICH) and HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). Regional players are Fayette County Housing Authority, Beaver County Housing Authority, Greene County Housing Authority and Westmoreland County Housing Authority.
Does Washington County Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington County Authority.
What industry is Washington County Authority in?
Washington County Authority's product category is Public Housing Assistance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAJ, Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs), with a secondary code of FSALAKAA, State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs). Its NAICS code is 925110 and its SIC code is 6513.