Preservation of Affordable Housing Chicago

What Preservation of Affordable Housing Chicago does

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing developer, owner, and operator founded in 2001 and headquartered in Boston with regional offices in Chicago, Washington DC, and Kansas City. The organization operates 148 properties comprising 14,000+ affordable apartments across 13 states and the District of Columbia, serving 22,000+ residents. Its work spans three integrated service lines: Real Estate Development (new construction, redevelopment, and adaptive reuse), Resident Success (community impact coordinators connecting residents to workforce certifications, skill-building, and education programs), and Ownership & Management (long-term financial and physical stewardship of properties). Tenants include low- and moderate-income individuals and families (30%–80% AMI), seniors aged 55+, formerly homeless individuals in permanent supportive housing, and residents of neighborhoods facing displacement risk; units are allocated through direct leasing, municipal housing authority waitlists, and lottery-based selection.

Technically, POAH differentiates through high-performance sustainable construction rather than software platforms. Its portfolio includes multiple PHIUS-certified Passive House developments (The Asberry at Barry Farm, The Loop at Mattapan Station, Columbia Crossing, The Kenzi at Bartlett Station), Boston's first all-electric midrise with a battery energy storage system over four stories (The Kenzi), adaptive reuse of historic structures such as churches and rectories (The Rose on Sixth in East Cambridge), and universal-design / smart home assistive technology for residents with mobility impairments (Scarborough, Maine, in partnership with 3i HoME and including the M.A.T.H. hub). Recent investments in community geothermal (Barry Farm) and broadband retrofit programs further embed infrastructure-level innovation.

The business model blends professional services revenue (development fees from structuring complex public-private financing — LIHTC equity placement, tax-exempt bonds, federal/state subsidies), recurring rental income from owned affordable units (rents restricted to income-qualified levels), and grant/subsidy-funded development economics. Capital is sourced through a diversified network of HUD programs (including $49M+ via the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program), state housing finance agencies (MassHousing/EOHLC, IHDA, MaineHousing, MassDevelopment), municipal housing authorities (DCHA, SLHA, WHA), CDFIs and institutional lenders (JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citizens, Rockland Trust, Boston Financial, NHT), and hospital partners (Boston Medical Center). The organization maintains audited financials, impact reports, and bond documentation on a publicly accessible investor information page but is not publicly traded.

Name

Preservation of Affordable Housing Chicago

Legal name

Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc.

Website

https://poahchicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that develops, owns, and manages affordable housing across 13 states and DC, operating 148 properties comprising 14,000+ apartments serving 22,000+ low- and moderate-income residents, seniors, and formerly homeless individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Development

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Residential Building Construction (2361), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management (BPAJAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Independent Living Community Development & Construction (Senior Housing Developers) (HLADAAAH), Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Nonprofit property management
• Multifamily rental housing
• Sustainable housing construction
• Resident support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Affordable Housing Development Fees: POAH earns development fees from structuring and closing complex public-private financing deals for affordable housing projects, including LIHTC equity placement, tax-exempt bond financing, and government subsidies.
2. Property Management and Ownership: POAH owns and manages over 14,000 apartments across 13 states and DC, generating recurring rental income from affordable housing tenants. Properties are maintained and operated sustainably, with rents restricted to income-qualified levels (typically 30%-80% AMI).
3. Grant and Subsidy-Funded Development: POAH receives government grants, tax credits, and subsidies (e.g., HUD GRRP, state Affordable Housing Development Grants, Low Income Housing Tax Credits) that fund the construction and renovation of affordable housing. These are not direct revenue but enable project economics.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit developer, owner, and operator of affordable rental housing communities serving low- and moderate-income households across 13 states and the District of Columbia. The organization develops, preserves, and manages approximately 14,000+ affordable apartments, delivering energy-efficient Passive House-certified and adaptive reuse housing with on-site resident success services.

Product overview

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) is a nonprofit developer, owner, and operator of affordable housing communities. The organization operates three core service areas: Real Estate Development (revitalizing at-risk affordable housing through new construction and redevelopment), Resident Success (services connecting residents to skill-building, workforce certifications, and education), and Ownership & Management (ensuring long-term financial and physical sustainability of properties). POAH's portfolio spans multiple states with diverse property types including senior housing, family housing, transit-oriented developments, and adaptive reuse projects. Notable properties include The Asberry at Barry Farm (108 units, DC), Meridian Point at Goulds Station (113 units, FL), The Loop at Mattapan Station (135 units, MA), Island Terrace Apartments (240 units, IL), Columbia Crossing (48 units, MA), The Kenzi at Bartlett Station (50 units, MA), The Ave (52 units, IL), and Fifth City Commons (IL).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Real Estate Development
• Resident Success Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 22,000+ residents served across 148 properties in 13 states and DC
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026POAH and DBEDC were selected through a competitive, community-driven RFP process to co-develop Columbia Crossing, a mixed-use transit-oriented development with 48 affordable apartments and an exhibition/commercial arts space in Boston's Upham's Corner. DBEDC serves as the community development corporation partner providing community land trust ownership of the land through DNI 5, Inc.
• Stull & Lee, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm and design collaborator for Columbia Crossing, contributing to the 78,000 SF mixed-use development in Upham's Corner, Boston.
• Moody NolancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm and design collaborator for Columbia Crossing, contributing to the 78,000 SF mixed-use development in Upham's Corner, Boston.
• District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCHA and POAH are co-developers of the Barry Farm redevelopment under the New Communities Initiative. DCHA provides housing authority resources, bond issuance (DCHFA), and replacement unit commitments for former Barry Farm residents. Together they are creating approximately 900 residential apartments.
• Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMPED is the District Government partner for the Barry Farm redevelopment, providing predevelopment and infrastructure loans and coordinating the New Communities Initiative program.
• Klein HornigminorOthersLegal counsel for the Edmonson and Barry Farm Phase I financing transactions.
• 3i Housing of Maine (3i HoME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOAH and 3i HoME are co-developing a 51-unit adaptive technology housing project in Scarborough, ME for people with mobility impairments. 3i HoME contributes expertise in independent living options for people with physical disabilities, and the M.A.T.H. (mobility and assistive technology hub).
• Nuestra Comunidad Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOAH partnered with Nuestra Comunidad on The Kenzi at Bartlett Station in Nubian Square, Roxbury. The larger Nubian Square site (approximately 383 homes) is co-developed by Nuestra Comunidad and Windale Developers, Inc., with POAH handling the senior housing component.
• Boston Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston Medical Center partnered with POAH on The Kenzi, providing $500k in Accelerating Investments for Health Communities funding and on-site health services for residents through a health center.
• DREAM CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDREAM Collaborative was the architecture firm for The Kenzi at Bartlett Station, designed to Passive House / all-electric midrise standards with Boston's first battery emergency backup system over 4 stories.
• Jonathan Rose Cos.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOAH joined forces with Jonathan Rose Cos. in 2021 to acquire and preserve Jackson Park Terrace (318 units), an affordable community in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood near the Island Terrace and the future Obama Presidential Center.
• KMW CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKMW Communities is POAH's development partner for The Ave in Chicago's Humboldt Park, a 52-unit mixed-use affordable housing development. KMW brings local development expertise and contributed to the $52-unit project led by POAH.
• GenslerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGensler was the architecture firm for The Ave development in Humboldt Park, designing the 52-unit affordable housing project with gathering spaces, fitness center, and retail space.
• Leopardo and Ujamaa ConstructionminorOthersJoint venture construction team for The Ave development in Humboldt Park, Chicago.
• Neighborhood Housing Services of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood Housing Services of Chicago operates a homeownership center at The Ave development, offering homebuying classes, home improvement grants, and new home loans to Humboldt Park residents.
• St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSLHA is POAH's partner for the Clinton-Peabody redevelopment in St. Louis — a complete demolition and rebuild of the city's oldest public housing community (originally built in 1942) into a revitalized mixed-income development.
• TradeMark PropertiesminorOthersBrokers Billie Redmond and Jonathan M. Bassi of TradeMark Properties facilitated the sale of the Biltmore Hills 50-unit complex to POAH.
• Housing Assistance Corporation (Cape Cod)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing Assistance Corporation is POAH's partner for multiple Cape Cod developments including Cape View Way (42 units in Bourne) and Spring Rock Village (45 units in Brewster). Housing Assistance brings local community non-profit expertise and a continuum of housing programs.
• Nauset ConstructionminorOthersNauset Construction is the general contractor for The Rose on Sixth adaptive reuse project in East Cambridge, converting a historic church rectory and school into 46 affordable apartments.
• DMS Design (Peabody)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDMS Design of Peabody was the architecture firm for The Rose on Sixth, designing the adaptive reuse of the historic Sacred Heart church rectory and school into affordable apartments.
• City of Cambridge Community Development DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Cambridge CDD collaborated with POAH on The Rose on Sixth project, providing funding through the Affordable Housing Trust and using the city's Affordable Housing Overlay provisions to enable the adaptive reuse development.
• Watertown Housing Authority (WHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHA selected POAH through a competitive RFP process as development partner to redevelop the Willow Park state public housing property in East Watertown. The partnership aims to replace 60 existing family apartments and add new affordable units.
• The KMWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKMW Communities (Bill Williams, Principal) is POAH's development partner for The Ave in Chicago's West Humboldt Park, contributing to repopulating a community that has lost 30% of its population over three decades.
• Building Bridges Across the RiverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding Bridges Across the River (BBAR), led by President/CEO Scott Kratz, is a nonprofit partner in the Seed to Storefront Pilot initiative alongside D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center and WACIF, aimed at boosting small businesses and Black ownership east of the Anacostia River near the Barry Farm redevelopment.
• D.C. Bar Pro Bono CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerD.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is a partner in the Seed to Storefront Pilot initiative with BBAR, WACIF, and POAH, focused on small business development in Wards 7 and 8.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WinnCompanies: Large private-sector owner/manager of multifamily housing with significant affordable housing portfolio, including LIHTC units. Comparable size and geography to POAH but profit-oriented.
• Related Companies (Affordable Division): Large national real estate developer with significant affordable housing portfolio via 4% and 9% LIHTC, often partnering with nonprofits. Operates at much larger scale but comparable activity in affordable housing.
• The NRP Group: Large multifamily developer with strong affordable housing pipeline; uses LIHTC and public-private financing similar to POAH but operates as a private, for-profit entity.

Direct peers

• BRIDGE Housing: West Coast-focused nonprofit affordable housing developer and owner with thousands of units — comparable mission and mixed-income model, though geographically distinct.
• Mercy Housing: Large nonprofit affordable housing developer with a national footprint across the U.S., combining LIHTC development, property management, and supportive services for low-income households.
• Beacon Communities: Nonprofit affordable housing developer and owner-operator with portfolio across multiple states, focusing on preservation, new construction, and resident services — directly comparable to POAH's model.
• The Community Builders: Nonprofit affordable housing developer and owner-operator with roughly 14,000+ units across multiple states, focused on mixed-income and family housing with strong resident services programs.
• Jonathan Rose Companies: Mission-driven affordable and mixed-income housing developer with POAH as a co-developer on Jackson Park Terrace in Chicago. National footprint with comparable preservation focus.
• National Equity Fund: Nonprofit LIHTC syndicator and affordable housing partner that co-develops and finances affordable housing with developers like POAH via multifamily partnerships.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and owner operating tens of thousands of units across multiple states with similar LIHTC-driven financing model. Closest comparable in scale and mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/POAHchi
• Facebookfacebook.com/POAHchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preservationofaffordablehousing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Preservation of Affordable Housing Chicago