What MEMPHIS HOUSING AUTHORITY does

Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) is a public housing authority established in 1935, making it the second oldest housing authority in the United States. It is headquartered at 700 Adams Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, and operates under the regulatory oversight of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Tennessee state housing authority law. MHA administers two core federal housing programs: site-based Public Housing (MHA-owned and managed properties across Memphis, including senior communities) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which together serve approximately 25,004 assisted residents across 10,211 occupied units. The agency also operates specialized programs including the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, Family Unification Program (FUP), Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), and Section 8 Homeownership Assistance (SHAPE).

MHA's technology infrastructure centers on a government housing management system with the SecureCafe applicant and tenant portal for online applications, status tracking, recertifications, and tenant communications. The agency supplements this with ADP for workforce management, TimelyTap for appointment scheduling, and Google Translate for multilingual website accessibility. Approximately 83 employees operate the agency, which manages a property portfolio spanning Bishop G.E. Patterson Pointe, Kefauver Terrace, Montgomery Plaza, and additional privately managed properties. The agency is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Memphis and confirmed by the City Council.

MHA's revenue model is almost entirely government-funded: HUD appropriations cover Public Housing operations, HCV Program administration and housing assistance payments, and capital improvements through Capital Fund and Replacement Housing Factor programs. Substantial multi-year capital development is funded through HOPE VI grants ($146M federal leveraging $312M+ in total), Choice Neighborhood Initiative ($29.75M federal + $30M city match, leveraged $172M+), and the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program ($250M+, 1,400+ units). Tenant rent is calculated as a portion of adjusted monthly income (generally no more than 40%), with utilities included in Public Housing units. MHA recently created Memphis Housing Strategies (MHS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate, to pursue affordable housing projects with fewer federal restrictions and generate unrestricted revenue.

Name

MEMPHIS HOUSING AUTHORITY

Legal name

Memphis Housing Authority

Website

https://memphisha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Memphis Housing Authority is a public housing agency providing affordable rental housing and Housing Choice Vouchers to approximately 25,000 low-income families, seniors, and veterans in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, funded primarily through HUD federal appropriations since 1935.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Public housing services
• Affordable rental housing
• Housing choice vouchers
• Senior housing assistance
• HUD funded programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal HUD Funding: MHA is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Funding supports Public Housing operations, Housing Choice Voucher Program administration, capital improvements through Capital Fund and Replacement Housing Factor programs.
2. Rental Income from Tenants: Residents pay rent calculated as a portion of their adjusted monthly income (generally no more than 40 percent), with utilities included in Public Housing units.
3. Grants and Development Funding: MHA receives grant funding including HOPE VI grants ($146 million in federal funds leveraged over $312 million additional), Choice Neighborhood Initiative ($29.75 million), VASH Program vouchers, and Family Unification Program funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Memphis Housing Authority provides affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in Memphis and Shelby County through site-based Public Housing (MHA-owned properties) and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. Specialized programs include VASH for homeless veterans, FUP for foster-care families, FSS for self-sufficiency, and major revitalization initiatives (HOPE VI, Choice Neighborhood, RAD) that deliver mixed-income housing and supportive services.

Product overview

Memphis Housing Authority operates as a public housing agency offering a portfolio of housing assistance programs. The core programs include site-based Public Housing (properties owned and managed by MHA) and the tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which together serve approximately 26,000 low-income families. Specialized programs include the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program for homeless veterans, the Family Unification Program (FUP) for families with children in foster care, and the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program for economic empowerment. Revitalization efforts are supported through HOPE VI grants, the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, and the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. The authority also manages senior housing properties and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. All programs are administered in compliance with HUD regulations, Fair Housing Act requirements, and Tennessee state housing authorities law.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
• Family Unification Program (FUP)
• Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit
• HOPE VI Real Estate Development
• Senior Housing Properties
• Section 8 Homeownership Assistance Program (SHAPE)
• Choice Neighborhood Initiative Grant Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 26,000 low-income families served annually through assisted housing programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and secondary.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015VASH Program partnership through which tenant referrals are made to MHA; dedicated VASH housing specialist works with VA to find suitable, accessible housing for veterans with disabilities. 492 vouchers awarded, 390 veteran families housed.
• Department of Children's ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Unification Program partnership for assisting families for whom lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in children's foster care placement. $490,137 awarded for 72 vouchers serving 55 families.
• Community Alliance for the HomelesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUP partner working with families to prevent homelessness and child foster care placement through housing vouchers and case management.
• RISE MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner in Family Self-Sufficiency program providing resources for families to achieve financial independence and homeownership goals.
• USI (formerly Urban Strategies, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJobs Plus program partner along with Workforce Investment Network (WIN) and local employers to create employment opportunities for residents without corresponding rent increase.
• Workforce Investment Network (WIN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJobs Plus program partner providing workforce development and employment opportunities for MHA residents.
• City of MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChoice Neighborhood Initiative partner contributing $30 million match to MHA's $29.75 million grant for South City revitalization. Joint development of over 700 units of mixed-income housing.
• BGC Advantage, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAD development partner for rehabilitation and modernization of over 1,400 units of aged public housing. $250 million+ rehab development leveraging tax credit equity and private mortgage.
• Pennrose, LLCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Legends Park Senior - 131-unit, four-story age-restricted building for residents 62+. Approximately $24 million development pursuing multiple funding sources.
• AmeriCorpssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerService site designation to enhance community engagement strategies and enable youth served by MHA to become next generation leaders.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Housing Authority of the City of Houston: Houston's housing authority administers a comparable mix of Public Housing, HCV, senior housing, and RAD-converted units serving low-income families in a major Southern city. Its scale (~10,000+ public housing units) and Sun Belt demographic profile make it a close peer.
• Dallas Housing Authority (DHA): DHA operates public housing, HCV, and similar self-sufficiency and veteran-focused programs for low-income Dallas residents. Its urban Southern jurisdiction, federal funding structure, and program mix parallel MHA's operations.
• Boston Housing Authority (BHA): BHA is a comparable mid-sized PHA administering Public Housing, HCV, and senior housing programs with a mix of family and elderly communities. Its federal program portfolio and HUD oversight structure are functionally identical to MHA's.
• Chicago Housing Authority (CHA): CHA operates ~20,000 public housing units and administers ~52,000 HCV vouchers in Chicago, with a portfolio mix (senior housing, family housing, mixed-income redevelopment) and HUD-funded program structure nearly identical to MHA. CHA's mixed-finance redevelopment model and similar HOPE VI/RAD usage make it a strong direct comparable.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): Philadelphia Housing Authority operates ~14,000 public housing units and a large HCV program serving low-income residents. PHA's mix of senior housing, scattered-site redevelopment, and federal grant leverage (including HOPE VI/RAD) closely mirrors MHA's portfolio approach.
• Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta (AH): Atlanta Housing is a similarly-sized PHA administering Public Housing, HCV, and mixed-income redevelopment programs in a Southeastern urban core. Its Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant work and HOPE VI legacy align directly with MHA's grant strategy.
• Los Angeles County Development Authority (HACLA): HACLA administers ~14,000 public housing units, ~58,000 HCV vouchers, and operates similar specialized programs (VASH, FUP, FSS) in Los Angeles County. Its scale, program portfolio, and federal HUD funding model parallel MHA's structure closely.

Broad incumbents

• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the US, operating ~162,000 apartments for low-income New Yorkers. As a fellow HUD-funded PHA administering Public Housing, HCV/Section 8, and similar specialized programs (FSS, RAD conversions), it is the most direct functional analog to MHA at vastly greater scale.

Others

• Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA): State housing finance agency that administers Low Income Housing Tax Credits, federal HOME funds, and other affordable housing financing in Tennessee. THDA is a state-level ecosystem peer that determines LIHTC reasonable cost allocations referenced in MHA's programs.
• Shelby County Division of Community Services: County-level social services agency operating in MHA's same Shelby County jurisdiction, providing housing assistance, homeless services, and community support. Directly comparable as a regional peer providing overlapping social/housing services to similar populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/memphis-housing-authority

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 MEMPHIS HOUSING AUTHORITY