Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

What Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth does

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) is a HUD-designated public housing authority established in 1938 and headquartered at 688 Maple Avenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey. HACE owns and operates seven properties across the city, comprising three family complexes (Mravlag Manor with 423 units, Marina Village with 35 RAD-converted townhouses, and F&B Gardens with 10 units) and four senior/disabled high-rise buildings (Farley Towers with 249 units, Kennedy Arms with 125 units, O'Donnell-Dempsey with 100 units, and Ford-Leonard Towers with 121 units), totaling approximately 1,300+ public housing units. The authority additionally administers roughly 1,100-1,500 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, 65 Shelter Plus Care units for homeless persons with disabilities, and a mixed-finance portfolio including the $18 million E'Port Family Homes development and the HOPE VI-funded Elizabethport neighborhood redevelopment.

HACE's core technology stack is centered on HUD-mandated systems, including Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection protocols, Enterprise Income Verification (EIV), and Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) compliance tracking. The authority's program portfolio extends well beyond housing into workforce development, operating the YouthBuild Elizabeth program (GED instruction, NCCER construction certification, CNA training) and the Jobs Plus Initiative (employment services, financial incentives, and community support for work at Mravlag Manor), alongside resident services including ROSS self-sufficiency case management, college preparation, senior activities, and food distribution through partners such as Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

HACE's revenue model is government-funded rather than market-based, drawing primarily on HUD Public Housing Operating Subsidy and Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments as recurring federal appropriations, supplemented by tenant rent contributions set at 30% of adjusted income under federal rules. Programmatic expansion is funded through competitive federal grants, with cumulative recent awards exceeding $5.67 million across the U.S. Department of Labor (YouthBuild, $1.5M), HUD (Jobs Plus, $2.3M), EPA (air quality monitoring, $500K), NSF (Smart Kids and Cool Seniors, $1M), and Groundwork USA (microforest, $367K). The authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners chaired by Denise George-Carroll, with William D. Jones serving as Executive Director since 1996, and a Curtis Myers Jr. appointed Deputy Executive Director in July 2025.

Name

Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

Legal name

Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

Website

https://hacenj.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) is a HUD-designated public housing authority operating since 1938 that owns seven properties with 1,300+ public housing units, administers 1,100-1,500 Section 8 vouchers, and delivers workforce development, senior services, and resident self-sufficiency programs to low-income families, seniors, and disabled residents of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Residential Property Managers (531311), Rental and Leasing Services (532)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Senior & Assisted Living Residential Property Management (BPAJAFAE), Affordable Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAJ)

Keywords

• Public housing administration
• Affordable housing services
• Section 8 vouchers
• Senior housing programs
• Resident support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Elizabeth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. HUD Public Housing Operating Subsidy: Federal government funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to operate public housing units, covering operational costs and capital improvements.
2. Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments: Monthly Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) made by HUD to housing authorities for tenant-based and project-based vouchers, covering the difference between tenant rent contribution and contract rent.
3. HOPE VI Grant: Multi-million dollar federal HOPE VI grant awarded in 2000 for neighborhood revitalization, which replaced obsolete public housing units with new townhouse dwellings in Elizabethport section.
4. Jobs Plus Initiative Grant: $2.3 million pilot grant awarded February 14, 2020 for Mravlag Manor residents to develop local job-driven approach to increase earnings and employment opportunities.
5. YouthBuild Grant: $1.5 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to establish YouthBuild Elizabeth program for young adults ages 16-24 to earn GED and gain trade skills.
6. Mixed-Finance Development: Public-private partnerships for housing development combining LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit), public housing, and private financing, including HOPE VI redevelopment totaling $122.8 million in neighborhood investment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) owns and operates seven public housing properties with 1,300+ units serving low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities in Elizabeth, NJ. It also administers 1,100+ Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 65 Shelter Plus Care vouchers, and delivers resident services including workforce development (YouthBuild, Jobs Plus), educational programs, food distribution, and senior activities.

Product overview

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) operates a portfolio of seven housing properties: three family complexes (Mravlag Manor with 423 units, Marina Village RAD with 35 townhouses, and F&B Gardens with 10 units) and four senior/disabled housing towers (Farley Towers with 249 units, Kennedy Arms with 125 units, O'Donnell-Dempsey with 100 units, and Ford-Leonard Towers with 121 units). The Authority administers 1,500 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 65 Shelter Plus Care vouchers. Beyond housing, HACE offers workforce development through YouthBuild Elizabeth, employment services via the Jobs Plus Initiative, resident self-sufficiency programs (ROSS), and college preparation services. HACE has completed major redevelopment through the HOPE VI program and continues new development with projects like the 60-unit E'Port Family Homes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YouthBuild Elizabeth: A program helping young adults ages 16-24 from the City of Elizabeth earn their high school diploma equivalency with GED instruction, job placements, construction training, and medical programs.
• Jobs Plus Program

Products and services

• Mravlag Manor
• Marina Village (RAD)
• F&B Gardens
• Farley Towers
• Kennedy Arms
• O'Donnell-Dempsey Towers
• Ford-Leonard Towers
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Shelter Plus Care Program
• YouthBuild Elizabeth
• Jobs Plus Initiative
• ROSS - Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency
• College Prep Program
• E'Port Family Homes
• J. Christian Bollwage E'Port Commons
• HOPE VI Mixed-Finance Housing

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% increase in Section 8 vouchers granted
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Genesis Companies, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHACE partnered with Genesis E'Port Family Homes LLC (affiliate of Genesis Companies) to develop 60 units of affordable family housing on First and Third Streets in Elizabeth, including 15 units for homeless with supportive services from Bridgeway.
• Groundwork ElizabethcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term environmental partnership including air quality monitoring ($500K EPA grant), microforest initiative ($367K Groundwork USA grant), and Come Grow With Us! urban gardening program at housing sites.
• Kean UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing college tours, occupational therapy programs (older adult prom, Resilience through Relationships and Recipes, technology training), intergenerational programs, and environmental health research.
• Rutgers UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for air quality monitoring network ($500K EPA), Smart Kids and Cool Seniors heat protection ($1M NSF), tablet training for seniors, and environmental justice initiatives.
• Trinitas Regional Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing CNA training and apprenticeship placement for YouthBuild participants, vaccine clinic administration during COVID-19, and health education for residents.
• Elizabeth Development CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development partner involved in HOPE VI redevelopment and workforce development initiatives for residents.
• Urban League of Union CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development and social services partner providing employment assistance and support services to residents.
• PROCEED, Inc.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services organization partner providing support services and resources to HACE residents.
• Bridgeway HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and substance abuse services provider; referral source for Shelter Plus Care program serving chronically homeless persons with disabilities.
• HomefirstsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless services provider referring families to Shelter Plus Care program for rental assistance.
• Community Food Bank of New JerseysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood distribution partnership providing monthly food boxes (retail value $40) to seniors 60+ through NJ Community Supplemental Food Program.
• Shaping ElizabethsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Mravlag Manor Mobile Market with nutritious packaged meals and fresh produce for residents.
• World Central KitchensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency food relief partner that provided meal support during crisis situations.
• New Jersey Health FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth foundation partner supporting resident wellness and health education programs.
• Union County American Job CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing job search assistance, training, and employment services to YouthBuild participants and residents.
• Bridgeway RehabsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation services provider; supportive housing partner for YouthBuild participants.
• Union County CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing college access and continuing education opportunities for residents.
• Union County Office of Social ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty social services partnership providing referrals and support for residents in need.
• NAACP Elizabeth BranchsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil rights organization partnership supporting housing equality and community advocacy.
• Jewish Family Services of Central New JerseysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services partner providing family support and counseling services.
• Prevention LinkssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerROSS Grant program partner providing service coordinators to assess residents' needs and connect them with supportive services for self-sufficiency.
• Temple CDCsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development organization operating daycare in commercial space at F&B Gardens property.
• Elizabethport After-School and Summer Arts ProgramsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services partner providing after-school and summer programs for children including arts, music, sports, and educational activities.
• Safe HavensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services partner providing after-school and summer programming for Elizabethport children.
• Elizabethport Presbyterian CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services partner providing programs for children and families in Elizabethport.
• CVS and Walgreens PharmaciessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmacy partners that administered COVID-19 vaccines during HACE's mobile vaccine clinics at senior buildings.
• City of ElizabethcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner for microforest initiative, vaccine distributions, and neighborhood revitalization through HOPE VI program.
• LeadingAgesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization (5,000+ members) advocating for senior housing that helped include public housing senior buildings in vaccine eligibility.
• Community Investment Strategy (CIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOPE VI developer partner responsible for redevelopment of Elizabethport neighborhood, replacing Pioneer Homes and Migliore Manor with mixed-income housing.
• New Jersey Conservation FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for microforest initiative supporting environmental sustainability and community green spaces.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary federal funding partner providing public housing operating subsidies, Section 8 funding, HOPE VI grants, and Jobs Plus grants.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA): Industry association representing the largest public housing authorities in the United States. Relevant as an ecosystem participant that advocates for federal funding and policy that directly impacts PHAs like HACE.
• New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA): State-level affordable housing finance agency administering LIHTC, multifamily financing, and affordable housing programs across New Jersey. NJHMFA provides financing and oversight that complements PHAs like HACE, making it a relevant ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Camden Housing Authority: New Jersey municipal housing authority operating public housing units and rental assistance programs in Camden. Similar urban affordable housing mission, federal funding profile, and resident demographic focus as HACE.
• Jersey City Housing Authority: New Jersey municipal housing authority administering public housing and Section 8 programs in Jersey City. Comparable scale and programmatic mix including senior housing and family sites, operating under identical HUD oversight framework as HACE.
• Newark Housing Authority: New Jersey municipal housing authority serving Newark with comparable portfolio scale and HUD programmatic structure. Operates public housing units and Section 8 vouchers under similar federal regulatory framework, making it the closest geographic and operational peer to HACE.
• Bayonne Housing Authority: Smaller New Jersey municipal housing authority operating public housing and voucher programs. Comparable in regulatory framework and mission, though smaller in scale than HACE.
• Trenton Housing Authority: New Jersey state capital housing authority managing public housing properties and Housing Choice Vouchers. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and regulatory environment to HACE within the same state housing ecosystem.
• Housing Authority City of Paterson: New Jersey municipal housing authority serving Paterson with public housing and Section 8 programs. Comparable scale, urban context, and HUD programmatic structure to HACE within the same state regulatory framework.

Broad incumbents

• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): Much larger regional public housing authority serving Philadelphia with tens of thousands of units. Operates the same federal programs as HACE but at significantly greater scale, offering insight into large-urban PHA operating models.
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): Largest public housing authority in the United States, operating approximately 162,000 apartments across New York City. While operating under the same federal HUD framework as HACE, NYCHA represents the large-urban-incumbent model with substantial federal oversight and capital challenges.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hace_nj
• Facebookfacebook.com/hacenj
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/housing-authority-of-the-city-of-elizabeth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth