Housing Corporation of Arlington

What Housing Corporation of Arlington does

Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA) is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation founded in 1986 in Arlington, Massachusetts, that produces and preserves affordable rental housing for low-income households. The organization owns and operates a 208-unit portfolio of deed-restricted rental apartments leased to households earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income, with additional projects adding 43 units under construction (10 Sunnyside Ave, completion expected summer 2027), 40 units in planning (Emma's Court, zoning approved March 2026), and 59 units recently acquired in September 2025 at 840-846 Mass Ave and 17 Newman Way. Property management is outsourced to Peabody Properties under a contract established in 2022.

HCA's housing is differentiated by green building standards — the 10 Sunnyside Ave development is being built to Passive House design, the planned Emma's Court project targets both Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities certification, and the completed 35 Parker Street ADU achieved Phius Zero Passive House certification as Arlington's first all-electric, 100% solar-powered net-zero modular affordable accessory dwelling unit, developed in partnership with Reframe Systems at a total project cost of $316,170. The 35 Parker Street unit was developed in a micro-factory and installed on site.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid of (i) below-market tenant rents that cover property operating expenses including loan payments, insurance, and taxes; (ii) donations and grants, with over 60% of annual income sourced from local households and small businesses; (iii) Massachusetts Community Investment Tax Credits ($275,000 in 2025, $300,000 in 2026), which enable donors giving $1,000+ to receive a 50% state tax rebate; and (iv) development fees from completed projects. Capital projects are financed through stacked subsidies from HUD, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program (via Boston Financial and Enterprise Communities), the Community Development Block Grant, the North Suburban HOME Consortium, the Arlington Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, and multiple regional banks. Beyond housing, HCA operates a Homelessness Prevention Program (grants up to $2,500 per household, established 2001), a Tenant Council (launched February 2024), a financial literacy program, and social services referrals reaching over 100 households per year.

Name

Housing Corporation of Arlington

Legal name

Housing Corporation of Arlington

Website

https://housingcorparlington.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Housing Corporation of Arlington is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation founded in 1986 that owns and operates 208 affordable rental units for low-income households in Arlington, Massachusetts, supplemented by homelessness prevention grants, tenant services, and new green-certified developments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111)

SIC

Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)

Keywords

• Affordable rental housing
• Homelessness prevention grants
• Community development corporation
• Deed-restricted housing
• Passive house construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tenant Rents: HCA owns and operates 208 rental units. Properties' annual operating budgets rely on tenants' rents to cover all expenses including loan payments, insurance, snow removal, pest control, taxes, and common utilities
2. Donations and Grants: HCA relies heavily on donations from Arlington residents and small businesses. Over 60% of annual income comes from local households or small businesses. Also supported by corporate and foundation grants
3. Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC): Donors who contribute at least $1,000 can receive a 50% state tax rebate through Massachusetts' CITC program. In 2025, HCA was awarded $275,000 in credits; in 2026, $300,000 in credits
4. Development Fees: Fees collected from most recently completed affordable housing developments to support operating budget

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Housing Corporation of Arlington owns and operates 208 deed-restricted affordable rental units in Arlington, MA for households earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income. Beyond real estate, HCA delivers a Homelessness Prevention Grant Program (up to $2,500 per household for back rent, security deposit, or moving costs), direct social services (benefits assistance, housing search, referrals), a Tenant Council, and a financial literacy program, while developing new affordable housing through Passive House-standard construction.

Product overview

Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA) is a nonprofit community development corporation founded in 1986 that operates a portfolio of affordable housing programs and social services. The organization offers a single integrated system of affordable rental housing (208 units across Arlington), the Homelessness Prevention Program (emergency grants), tenant council and civic engagement programming, and financial literacy services. Major development projects include 10 Sunnyside Ave (43 units under construction), Emma's Court (40 units planned), the completed Downing Square Broadway Initiative (48 units), and the innovative Passive House-certified 35 Parker Street ADU. All housing is deed-restricted for households earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income. HCA also provides direct social services including benefits assistance, housing search support, and referrals to partner organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Affordable Housing Portfolio Portfolio of 208 deed-restricted affordable rental units in Arlington, MA for households earning at or below 60% of Area Median Income. Includes Capitol Square Apartments (32 units), Forest-Peirce (10 units), 20 Westminster Ave (9 units), Mass. Ave. Preservation Project (18 units), Kimball Farmer House (3 units), Downing Square Broadway Initiative (48 units), and other scattered units; rents are below market and cover property operating costs.
• Homelessness Prevention Grant Program (HPP) Emergency financial assistance program providing grants of up to $2,500 per household for back rent, security deposit, or moving expenses to Arlington residents earning at or below 60% HUD Area Median Income who are facing housing crises. A household may receive the grant no more than twice, with the second at least two years after the first.
• HCA Tenant Council Tenant-led governance and community-building program for HCA residents. Coordinates meetings and activities, publishes a monthly tenant newsletter, and provides residents with a direct voice in property management decisions.
• Social Services Comprehensive support services for low-income Arlington households and HCA tenants, including help with Social Security/Disability, Mass Health, housing assistance, housing search, financial literacy, eviction prevention, and referrals to food, fuel assistance, mental health counseling, domestic violence support, employment services, and legal services.
• Financial Literacy Program Financial literacy courses offered three times per year in partnership with local banks, teaching household income management and savings strategies for HCA tenants and community members.
• Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) Donation Program Massachusetts state program administered by HCA enabling donors to receive a 50% state tax rebate on contributions of $1,000 or more when filing state taxes, channeling funds to HCA's affordable housing, Homelessness Prevention Program, and tenant advocacy work.
• 35 Parker Street ADU Arlington's first all-electric, 100% solar-powered affordable accessory dwelling unit. A 900-square-foot, 2-bedroom modular home built in a micro factory and certified to Phius Zero Passive House standard. Completed as a model for high-quality, low-cost modular affordable housing.
• Emma's Court Affordable Housing Development Planned 40-unit affordable housing development on Mass Ave and Newman Way in Arlington, named to honor Emma Locke Sprague. Will feature Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities construction standards, 26 units with 2-3 bedrooms, ground-floor commercial space, and a native-plantings courtyard. Zoning approved March 2026; state funding being sought.
• 10 Sunnyside Ave Development 43-unit affordable housing development under construction on the site of a former auto body shop in Arlington. 100% affordable for households at 60% AMI or below, with some units at 30% AMI. Features Passive House design, a roof deck garden, community room, and parking; expected completion summer 2027.
• Downing Square Broadway Initiative (DSBI) Completed 48-unit affordable housing development in Arlington split among three buildings on two sites. Includes 17 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom, and 7 three-bedroom units, with 16 units reserved for extremely-low-income households and 2,500 square feet of space for the Arlington EATS Market community food program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 208 affordable rental units owned and operated
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Peabody PropertiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022HCA has contracted with Peabody Properties to provide property management for their housing portfolio. Handles tenant relations for lease, rent, and maintenance issues.
• Town of ArlingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Vital partner in success of HCA's affordable housing programs. Committed $450,000 from CDBG allocation supporting the Mass. Ave. Preservation Project acquisition and improvement.
• Feinmann, Inc.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAward-winning design and building firm designed and renovated the Forest-Peirce units, handling construction and project management. Also partnered on Mass. Ave. Preservation Project, donating substantial time and services.
• LD RussocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for 10 Sunnyside Ave development. Also 40th Anniversary Walk Hero sponsor.
• Utile Architecture and PlanningcoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitects for 10 Sunnyside Ave and Emma's Court projects. Also sponsors HCA's 40th Anniversary.
• Tierney Development ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwner's Project Manager for 10 Sunnyside Ave development.
• Davis Square ArchitectscoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitects for Downing Square Broadway Initiative (112/114 Lowell Street and 117 Broadway).
• DelphicoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for Downing Square Broadway Initiative.
• Reframe SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for 35 Parker Street ADU. Provided modular, all-electric, net-zero Passive House-certified affordable ADU. Company working to develop lower cost way to create high quality modular homes.
• Beacon Group Real EstateminorOthersDonated staging for 35 Parker Street ADU 3D tour.
• Somerville Homeless CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides subsidies and services for families coming out of homelessness at Downing Square Broadway. Five apartments set aside for families coming out of homelessness with subsidies and services from this coalition.
• Arlington EATS MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer Arlington Food Pantry now operating as community market. HCA provides 2,500 square feet of space at 117 Broadway for Arlington EATS Market in Downing Square Broadway Initiative.
• Beth Israel Lahey HealthminorOthersProduced healthcare access guides for new immigrants in multiple languages (Spanish, Haitian Creole, English) distributed through HCA resources.
• Gabby Geller ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal Estate Development Consultant for 10 Sunnyside Ave development. 40th Anniversary Friend sponsor.
• KJP PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReal Estate Attorney for 10 Sunnyside Ave development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WinnCompanies: Largest affordable housing manager in the US and a major owner of multifamily housing in Greater Boston—HCA already contracts with Peabody Properties, a Winn-managed affiliate, evidencing direct operational overlap in property management services.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit affordable housing developer, LIHTC syndicator, and funder; HCA's Downing Square Broadway Initiative uses Enterprise Communities as LIHTC investor, making Enterprise both a counterparty and the most natural scaled-up reference point.

Direct peers

• The Community Builders: Large nonprofit developer and operator of affordable and mixed-income housing across the Northeast, with the same LIHTC-driven development pipeline and resident services wraparound approach HCA uses at scale.
• Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH): National nonprofit that preserves and operates affordable rental housing using LIHTC and subsidy stacked deals, with a comparable emphasis on energy-efficient rehabs and supportive services for residents.
• Urban Edge Housing Corporation: Boston-area community development corporation that owns and operates affordable rental housing and provides resident services, closely paralleling HCA's mission and asset-based operating model in a neighboring Massachusetts market.
• Somerville Homeless Coalition: Adjacent Greater Boston nonprofit that operates affordable housing combined with homelessness prevention services—HCA already partners with SHC at Downing Square Broadway, and the two share target population, geography, and service model.
• Beacon Communities: Massachusetts-based nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator with a deep portfolio in Greater Boston; HCA's LIHTC investor partners (Enterprise Communities) and architect (Utile) overlap with Beacon's typical project stack.
• AHC Inc: Regional nonprofit affordable housing developer operating on the East Coast with a similar LIHTC-financed, services-enriched model; comparable in scale and pipeline-driven growth trajectory.

Others

• Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP): State-chartered public nonprofit that provides permanent financing, technical assistance, and predevelopment grants to MA affordable housing developers; MHP is already a direct HCA capital partner on Forest-Peirce and 10 Sunnyside Ave.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI that funds CDCs and nonprofits like HCA through grants, loans, and capacity-building programs; comparable to HCA in mission scope but operates as a financial intermediary rather than a direct housing owner.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hcarlington

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Housing Corporation of Arlington