Columbia Housing Authority

What Columbia Housing Authority does

Columbia Housing Authority (legal name: Housing Authority of the City of Columbia) is an independent public corporation established in 1934 and the largest single provider of affordable housing in South Carolina, operating with a $50 million annual budget and serving more than 16,000 individuals across over 20 housing communities in Richland County and the City of Cayce in Lexington County. The organization's core offerings include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) program, the Public Housing Program, the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) portfolio, and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), supplemented by Family Self-Sufficiency, ROSS, Senior, Youth, and Homeless programs delivered through in-house departments and community partners.

The authority operates without proprietary technology and depends on third-party platforms for its core workflows: waitlistcheck.com for lottery-based housing applications, HMS for Web for landlord/agent portal functions, portal.rentpayment.com for tenant rent collection, and Microsoft 365 for staff communications. An affiliate real estate development arm, CHAD, alongside SCAHI (South Carolina Affordable Housing Initiative), channels Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and public-private partnership projects such as the 285-unit Oaks at St. Anna's Park and the Haven at Palmer Pointe senior community.

Revenue and funding mechanics are fundamentally government-anchored: HUD appropriations support public housing operations, HCV administration, and RAD conversions; rental income from roughly 6,500+ low-income households is set at approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income; and supplementary grants arrive from private institutions (e.g., $20,000 from Truist Bank in 2025, $109,532 HUD FSS grant in 2023). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via a sole headquarters application site, online lottery portal, and partner-agency referrals, with the seven-member Board of Commissioners (Chair James Chatfield, Vice Chair Kevin Werner in 2025) providing governance appointed by the Mayor of the City of Columbia. Following a CEO transition in February 2025, Barry Hall served as Interim CEO until Jessica Anderson Preston was appointed effective November 24, 2025.

Name

Columbia Housing Authority

Legal name

Housing Authority of the City of Columbia

Website

https://columbiahousingsc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Columbia Housing Authority is an independent public corporation founded in 1934 and the largest affordable housing provider in South Carolina, operating a $50 million budget across 20+ communities to serve low-income families, seniors, veterans, and homeless individuals in Richland and Lexington Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management (BPAJAMAI)

Keywords

• Affordable housing
• Public housing
• Housing choice vouchers
• Senior housing
• Rental assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HUD Federal Funding: Columbia Housing receives primary funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This federal funding supports public housing operations, Housing Choice Voucher programs, and various development initiatives.
2. Grants and Donations: Columbia Housing receives grant funding from private organizations and financial institutions for specific programs and initiatives. Example: $20,000 grant from Truist Bank for the Reading While Feeding Initiative.
3. Rental Income: Revenue generated from affordable rental units managed by the housing authority, with rents typically set based on tenant income levels.
4. Development Partnerships: Revenue and investment through affiliate entities CHAD (Columbia Housing Authority Development) and SCAHI (South Carolina Affordable Housing Initiative, Inc.) which develop new affordable housing through Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs and public-private partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Columbia Housing Authority is an independent public corporation that provides affordable rental housing to citizens of the City of Columbia and surrounding Richland and Lexington Counties in South Carolina. Its core offerings include managing public housing units, administering Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) rental assistance, operating RAD-converted properties, providing senior housing communities, and delivering the VASH program for homeless veterans. It also operates housing development affiliates CHAD and SCAHI that build new affordable units using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Product overview

Columbia Housing Authority operates as the largest affordable housing provider in South Carolina, managing a portfolio of housing programs and residential communities. The core offerings include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Program providing federal rental assistance, the Public Housing Program with direct unit management, and RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) Resources for property conversions. Supporting services include HCV Homeownership, Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), ROSS Program, Senior Programs, Youth Programs (including Summer Youth Employment and Childcare Assistance), and Homeless Programs. The agency manages multiple housing communities including Haven at Palmer Pointe (senior), Oaks at St. Anna's Park (mixed-income), Christopher Towers, Oak Read High Rise, Arrington Manor, Lewis Scott Court, Lorick Place Apartments, Harbor Cove Homes, Schoolhouse Road Apartments, Hammond Village, and Village at River's Edge. Additionally, Columbia Housing manages Cayce Housing and oversees affiliate entities CHAD (Columbia Housing Authority Development) and SCAHI (South Carolina Affordable Housing Initiative). The organization also provides utility allowance services for HCV, Public Housing, and RAD participants. Founded in 1934, the authority serves Richland County and Lexington County (Cayce) communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Program

Named customers4 records

Segments4 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.

• The Cooperative MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2024The Cooperative Ministry provides free tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at the Cecil Tillis Center. IRS-certified volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for Columbia Housing residents.
• First Citizens BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2023First Citizens Bank partners with Columbia Housing to present Financial Education Workshops for residents, covering topics including types of loans, accounts, savings importance, credit importance, and mortgage programs. The workshop held at Resident & Family Services Building helps residents build financial literacy and pathways to homeownership.
• Ward Mungo ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2023Ward Mungo Construction is a key development partner for the Oaks at St. Anna's Park project, the redevelopment of the former Gonzales Gardens public housing site. The 285-unit mixed-income community was developed under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program.
• Davis ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2023Davis Architecture participated in the Urban Land Institute South Carolina Midlands Project Spotlight panel discussion for the Oaks at St. Anna's Park development, serving as architectural partner for the mixed-income community project.
• Midlands Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Midlands Technical College partners with Columbia Housing to provide QuickJobs information sessions and admissions workshops for residents. Programs include training certificates in healthcare, trades, technology, and other fields, with scholarship opportunities available.
• Prisma HealthimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2023Prisma Health partners with Columbia Housing for health events including the annual Health & Resource Fair, Walk for Life (breast cancer awareness), and sponsors Fall Festival events. They provide mobile mammography services and health resources for residents.
• DHEC (SC Department of Health and Environmental Control)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2023DHEC partners with Columbia Housing for health fairs and wellness events, providing flu vaccines and health resources. They participate in the annual Fall Festival and health screening events for residents.
• Absolute Total CareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2023Absolute Total Care sponsors Columbia Housing community events including the annual Fall Festival, providing healthcare resources and wellness information to residents.
• BrinshorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2022Brinshore is the development partner for the Haven at Palmer Pointe senior housing development located at 1135 Carter Street. This public-private partnership involves new construction of senior affordable housing units, with ground-breaking ceremony held in December 2022 and expected completion in 2024.
• City of ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Columbia works with Columbia Housing on various initiatives including land donations (such as for T.S. Martin community) and collaborative community development projects. Columbia Housing is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor.
• Richland CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbia Housing serves residents throughout Richland County, managing public housing units and providing affordable housing options across the county. Cayce Housing (managed by Columbia Housing) also serves Lexington County residents.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Others

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that finances and develops affordable housing, including LIHTC syndications. Comparable in mission (affordable housing delivery) and a frequent co-developer with public housing authorities.
• WinnCompanies: National property management firm that manages affordable housing for public housing authorities and private owners. Comparable as the third-party property management counterpart to Columbia Housing's internal property management operations.
• Mercy Housing: Nonprofit affordable housing provider operating affordable rental communities nationwide with wraparound resident services. Closely aligned with Columbia Housing's resident-services-driven operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Related Companies: National private developer/operator with the largest affordable housing portfolio in the U.S. Provides a private-sector analog to CHAD/SCAHI for LIHTC-financed new construction and mixed-income communities.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority: One of the largest housing authorities in the U.S., serving as a benchmark for scaled HCV and public housing operations, RAD program execution, and large mixed-finance redevelopment pipelines.

Regional players

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Authority (INLIVIAN): Regional housing authority serving the Charlotte, NC metro with significantly larger unit count and a mixed-income redevelopment model (similar to Oaks at St. Anna's Park). Comparable in operating model and LIHTC-driven development strategy.
• Atlanta Housing Authority: Major Southeast housing authority with national profile for mixed-income redevelopment (e.g., Centennial Place). Useful benchmark for scaling RAD conversions and mixed-finance developments.

Direct peers

• Greenville Housing Authority: South Carolina housing authority administering public housing and Section 8 vouchers in the Upstate region. Operates under the same HUD regulatory framework with similar LIHTC-financed development activity.
• Spartanburg Housing Authority: SC Upstate housing authority providing public housing, HCV, and affordable housing development. Directly comparable in mission, funding mix, and resident services scope.
• Charleston County Housing & Redevelopment Corporation: Public housing authority serving the Charleston, SC region with comparable HCV, public housing, and resident services programs. Closest in-state peer given similar size and HUD funding structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/columbiahacares
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC330f6VRwkkILbj-aHFECEQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/columbiahousingsc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/51713664/admin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Columbia Housing Authority