South Metro Housing Options

What South Metro Housing Options does

South Metro Housing Options (SMHO) is a nonprofit public housing authority, established in 1971 as the Littleton Housing Authority and the second-oldest housing authority in Colorado. The organization owns and manages more than 500 affordable housing units across seven communities in Littleton, Colorado (Alyson Court, Amity Plaza, Bradley House, Libby Bortz Assisted Living, Montview Flats, Overlook at Powers Park, and Powers Circle), and administers over 600 Housing Choice Vouchers across Littleton and Arapahoe County. Its portfolio is funded through HUD operating subsidies, Section 8 New Construction, Project Based Rental Assistance, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, with residents paying approximately 30% of adjusted household income in rent.

SMHO's target population includes seniors aged 62+, adults with disabilities, veterans, and low-income families earning 30%-70% of Area Median Income. Beyond rental housing, SMHO operates a Project Based Voucher program, an Affordable Homeownership Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (covering 59 converted scattered-site single-family homes), and a Resident Services program offering health, financial education, and community-building support coordinated with Colorado Spirit/AllHealth Network and Integrated Family Community Services. Recent capital activity includes completion of Overlook at Powers Park (51 senior units, 2024) and the LIHTC-funded Montview Flats development (50 family units, waiting list opened 2026).

The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer: applications are submitted exclusively through an online portal, with waitlist placement driven by submission date/time. SMHO supplements digital access through a partnership with Bemis Public Library and conducts community outreach via website content, email newsletters (Constant Contact), public Board meetings, and property open houses. Distribution combines direct property management with a private landlord network participating in the HCV program, where SMHO pays the subsidy portion via HAP contracts. The core technology stack is non-proprietary — a WordPress-based website (smho.co), a hosted application portal, and standard email/newsletter tooling — with no disclosed AI, data, or analytics capabilities.

Name

South Metro Housing Options

Legal name

South Metro Housing Options

Website

https://smho.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

South Metro Housing Options is a nonprofit public housing authority that owns 500+ affordable housing units across seven Littleton, Colorado communities and administers 600+ Housing Choice Vouchers for seniors, disabled adults, veterans, and low-income families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Assisted Living Facilities (HLADABAA), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Public housing authority
• Housing choice vouchers
• Senior housing communities
• Low-income housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Littleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Housing Rental Revenue: SMHO generates revenue through rental payments from residents in its affordable housing communities. Residents typically pay 30% of their adjusted income in rent, with the organization receiving subsidies to cover the difference through programs like Housing Choice Vouchers, Project Based Rental Assistance, and Section 8 New Construction.
2. Federal Housing Subsidies: The organization administers over 600 Housing Choice Vouchers and receives ongoing federal funding through HUD programs to support affordable housing operations.
3. Property Development: SMHO develops new affordable housing properties using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other federal programs, including recent developments like Overlook at Powers Park and Montview Flats.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Metro Housing Options (SMHO) is a nonprofit public housing authority that owns, manages, and develops affordable rental housing for low-income seniors, families, adults with disabilities, and veterans in Littleton and Arapahoe County, Colorado. The organization operates seven housing communities comprising over 500 affordable units, administers more than 600 Housing Choice Vouchers and Project Based Vouchers, and supports an Affordable Homeownership Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.

Product overview

South Metro Housing Options (SMHO) operates as an affordable housing authority providing a portfolio of housing products across Littleton and Arapahoe County, Colorado. The company manages seven distinct housing communities: Overlook at Powers Park (51-unit senior community), Montview Flats (50-unit family development), Powers Circle (multi-bedroom apartments), Amity Plaza (180-unit senior high-rise), Alyson Court (60-unit senior housing), Bradley House (senior apartments), and Libby Bortz Assisted Living (assisted living facility). Additionally, SMHO administers the Housing Choice Voucher program with over 600 vouchers and Project Based Vouchers. The portfolio includes properties under Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Section 8 New Construction, and Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) programs. SMHO also partners with Habitat for Humanity on an affordable homeownership initiative. Resident services include health and wellness coordination, financial education, and community building programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Overlook at Powers Park 51-unit affordable senior housing community in Littleton, Colorado, serving adults age 62+ earning 30%-60% of Area Median Income. Completed in 2024, it is SMHO's newest property with energy-efficient design and community amenities.
• Montview Flats 50-unit affordable family housing development in downtown Littleton serving households earning 30%-70% of Area Median Income, located next to SMHO's main office with access to light rail, Arapahoe Community College, and downtown amenities.
• Powers Circle Affordable apartment complex offering studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, with current promotional rental rates on studios near downtown Littleton.
• Amity Plaza 7-story, 180-unit senior housing complex serving adults age 62+ and adults with disabilities; one-bedroom units with residents paying 30% of adjusted income, located at 200 W. Sterne Parkway, Littleton.
• Alyson Court 60-unit affordable senior housing serving adults age 62+ and adults with disabilities; one-bedroom units with secure entrances, elevators, community room, and outdoor patio; residents pay 30% of adjusted income.
• Bradley House Affordable senior housing serving adults age 62+ and adults with disabilities; one-bedroom units with private balconies, secure entrances, elevators, community room with billiards, and outdoor patio with grill.
• Libby Bortz Assisted Living Assisted living facility serving seniors; the first assisted living center in the United States built by a public housing authority, named in honor of founding SMHO board member Libby Bortz.
• Sierra Vista Apartments Tax credit property with project-based rental assistance at 8851 E. Florida Avenue, Denver; owned and managed by The Itex Group with SMHO administering rental assistance; residents pay 30% of adjusted income.
• Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Rental assistance program administered by SMHO with over 600 vouchers; participants pay approximately 30% of income toward rent and SMHO pays the difference to private landlords via Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts.
• Project Based Vouchers Rental subsidy tied to specific units at participating SMHO communities, providing long-term affordable housing at designated properties.
• Resident Services Comprehensive support programs for SMHO residents including health and wellness services, financial education, community building activities, voter education, and technology literacy; coordinates partnerships with community resources such as AllHealth Network and IFCS.
• John W. Newey Family Housing 20 single-family homes constructed in 1982 with two, three, and four-bedroom units on scattered sites, operated under Section 8 New Construction program regulations with subsidy support from CHFA.
• Affordable Homeownership Program Partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to provide affordable for-sale homes under a Section 22 Conversion initiative, supporting renovation and long-term affordability for low-income families transitioning from SMHO rental housing to homeownership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 affordable housing units owned and managed
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Bemis Public LibrarysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bemis Public Library provides free computer and internet access for SMHO applicants who need assistance completing online housing applications. This partnership ensures accessibility for residents without home internet access.
• Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IFCS partnered with SMHO to offer limited rent payment assistance to qualified candidates. SMHO refers residents to IFCS services as part of its resource network.
• South Metro Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022SMHO partnered with South Metro Land Conservancy (SMLC) for the Powers Park development. SMLC developed a vision plan to reimagine Powers Park as a true community asset for seniors and neighbors. The partnership enhances the Overlook at Powers Park development by incorporating improved park amenities including perimeter paths, community gardens, native plants, and rainwater harvesting features.
• Colorado Spirit by AllHealth NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022SMHO created a formal partnership with Colorado Spirit by AllHealth Network to provide additional supportive services to residents, including behavioral healthcare, health education, food & nutrition, and physical activity programs.
• City of LittletoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022City of Littleton is a key partner in SMHO's affordable housing initiatives. The city provided support for Overlook at Powers Park development and SMHO serves as the city's housing authority. The city has adopted Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and provided various incentives for affordable developments.
• Shopworks ArchitecturesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Shopworks Architecture provided architectural design services for Overlook at Powers Park and submitted the Eagle Award nomination.
• Calcon ConstructorssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2022Calcon Constructors served as the general contractor for Overlook at Powers Park construction.
• Foothills Regional HousingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Foothills Regional Housing partnered with SMHO on the groundbreaking event for Overlook at Powers Park.
• Habitat for Humanity of Metro DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SMHO partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to create an Affordable Homeownership Program. Through the Section 22 Conversion initiative, 59 scattered-site single-family homes and duplexes were sold to families working with Habitat. Habitat manages the updates, repairs, and long-term affordability requirements. This partnership gave Habitat for Humanity their first-ever development opportunities in Littleton.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Church Residences: One of the nation's largest nonprofit providers of affordable senior housing and assisted living, serving over 40,000 seniors across multiple states — same HUD/LIHTC regulatory environment as SMHO with significantly broader geographic footprint.

Direct peers

• Denver Housing Authority: Public housing authority serving the City and County of Denver under HUD oversight, operating affordable rental communities and administering Housing Choice Vouchers — directly comparable to SMHO's mission, regulatory framework, and resident services model in the same Denver metro region.
• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator that builds and manages rental housing for low-income families, seniors, and special-needs populations under LIHTC and HUD programs — a larger-scale analog of SMHO's nonprofit owned-and-managed model with resident services.
• Volunteers of America National Services: National nonprofit that operates affordable senior housing, supportive housing, and assisted living programs through federal (HUD) and state-funded contracts. Comparable in combining affordable housing operations with wraparound resident services for vulnerable populations.

Regional players

• Boulder Housing Partners: Housing authority for the City of Boulder that owns and manages affordable rental communities and administers Housing Choice Vouchers. Comparable Colorado-front-range affordable housing operator with overlapping HUD/LIHTC funding profile and resident support services.
• Aurora Housing Authority: Public housing authority serving Aurora, CO (adjacent to SMHO's Arapahoe County service area), operating a comparable affordable rental portfolio and voucher administration program under the same HUD regulatory umbrella.

Others

• Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA): State-level financing entity that issues LIHTC allocation, multifamily bonds, and down payment assistance in Colorado. CHFA is a direct financing partner to SMHO (e.g., Overlook at Powers Park) and a structural counterpart across the same affordable housing ecosystem.
• Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver: Nonprofit affordable homeownership partner that acquired 59 SMHO scattered-site homes through the Section 22 conversion for resale to low-income families. A structured peer in the broader affordable housing ecosystem rather than a direct housing competitor.
• The Itex Group: Affordable housing property management firm that manages Sierra Vista Apartments on behalf of SMHO's Project-Based Rental Assistance program. A direct operational counterpart (and contracted manager) for one of SMHO's owned-program properties.

Emerging players

• AHEPA National Housing Corporation: Nonprofit developer and operator of affordable senior housing using LIHTC and HUD programs, focused on the 62+ demographic — directly aligned with SMHO's senior housing specialization (Overlook at Powers Park, Amity Plaza, Alyson Court, Bradley House).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/southmetrohousing

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 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 South Metro Housing Options