Affordable Housing Alliance Of Central Ohio

What Affordable Housing Alliance Of Central Ohio does

AHACO is a nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 2015 and headquartered at 215 North Front Street in Columbus, Ohio. Operating with a small staff of 1–10, it functions as a coalition of member organizations using data, research, education, and technical assistance to address housing affordability gaps across Central Ohio. Its work focuses on zoning reform, source-of-income protections, eviction prevention (Pay to Stay), and enabling faith institutions to develop affordable housing on underutilized land — a market where it estimates 52,000+ Franklin County families are cost-burdened and 2,413 faith-owned properties represent roughly six square miles of potential development opportunity. The organization does not own or operate housing programs directly; instead it convenes stakeholders, publishes research, and supports policy adoption.

The organization's portfolio comprises advocacy programs (Bridge Model, CONVERGENCE Columbus), policy initiatives (Modern Zoning, Income Discrimination protections, Pay 2 Stay), educational resources (You Are Here video series, Prayers to Pro Formas training events), and community-facing tools (Find Help, Find Careers, Find Events directories). It also produces the "United: The Hidden Story of the Humble Duplex" documentary, survey research, infographics, and a housing glossary. Distribution occurs through free direct technical assistance to local governments, large in-person convenings (the 2026 Prayers to Pro Formas event drew approximately 170 faith leaders, policymakers, and housing experts), grassroots house parties, and sustained earned media coverage in regional outlets.

AHACO's business model is that of a typical nonprofit advocacy organization: all services are provided free of charge, with funding sourced through a tiered Strategic Advisory Council. Housing Champions (United Way of Central Ohio, PNC Bank, Huntington National Bank) contribute at a $15,000+ level; Sustaining Advisors include Park National Bank, Mortgage Bankers Association, American Electric Power Foundation, Nationwide Foundation, and Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County; Trusted Partners span roughly 15 additional banks, developers, utilities, and advisory firms. Outcomes are measured in policy adoption (e.g., 10 communities with Source of Income protections) and public-opinion shifts (85% support for non-profit housing development rules; 78% support for duplex and townhome development).

Name

Affordable Housing Alliance Of Central Ohio

Legal name

Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio

Website

https://www.ahaco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AHACO is a Columbus, Ohio-based nonprofit coalition founded in 2015 that uses data, research, education, and free technical assistance to advance housing affordability policy across Central Ohio for local governments, faith organizations, and housing advocates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Advocacy and Research

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Housing affordability advocacy
• Policy research
• Community education
• Nonprofit coalition
• Zoning reform

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AHACO is a nonprofit advocacy organization that uses data, research, education, and coalition-building to close Central Ohio's housing affordability gaps. It delivers free technical assistance to local governments on housing policy, runs advocacy programs (Modern Zoning, Source of Income protection, Pay to Stay), and produces educational resources and events for faith leaders, housing advocates, and community members. The organization does not own or operate housing directly but drives policy and community-level change through its member coalition.

Product overview

AHACO is a nonprofit advocacy organization rather than a technology product company. It operates as a coalition of member organizations using data, research, education, and advocacy to address Central Ohio's housing challenges. The organization offers a portfolio of advocacy programs (Bridge Model, CONVERGENCE Columbus, Pay 2 Stay), policy initiatives (Modern Zoning, Income Discrimination protections), educational resources (You Are Here video series, Prayers to Pro Formas training events), and local resource tools (Find Help, Careers, Events directories). There is no unified software platform or SaaS product - AHACO's offerings are advocacy, education, and community organizing programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bridge Model An advocacy initiative focused on addressing housing challenges through collaborative community approaches for policymakers, faith organizations, and community stakeholders in Central Ohio.
• CONVERGENCE Columbus A program expanding homeownership opportunities in Central Ohio and nationwide through partnership and advocacy for community members, advocates, and partner organizations.
• Modern Zoning Advocacy Advocacy campaign for streamlined, modern zoning codes aimed at reducing rents and bringing homeownership within reach, targeted at local government policymakers.
• Source of Income / Income Discrimination Advocacy Advocacy initiative to end source-of-income discrimination, protecting residents from being denied housing based on how they earn income, with adoption supported in 10 Central Ohio communities.
• Pay to Stay Advocacy Advocacy for Pay to Stay laws that allow tenants to pay late rent to avoid eviction, targeted at local government policymakers and housing advocates.
• Prayers to Pro Formas Annual housing crash course for Central Ohio faith leaders covering affordable housing development, financing, and partnerships, designed to equip churches and religious institutions to develop housing on their land.
• You Are Here Video Series and Toolkit Video series and toolkit showcasing housing solutions including zoning reform, housing bonds, ADUs, and supportive housing, designed for community education and advocacy.
• Local Tools Directory (Find Help, Careers, Events, News) Online directory tools connecting Central Ohio residents with housing assistance, career opportunities, events, and housing-related news.
• Research & Data Publications Research publications including 'What's Affordable', 'Twin Goals', 'Finding Home', infographics, and a glossary to support housing advocacy and policymaker decision-making.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% public support for non-profit housing development rules
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered sustaining advisor - core, core partnership - flagship and trusted partner - minor.

• Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin Countysustaining advisor - coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey sustaining advisor partner providing expertise and resources for affordable housing development in Central Ohio. The Trust's CEO Ian Labitue participates in AHACO events and panels.
• Mortgage Bankers Associationsustaining advisor - coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustaining advisor partner providing industry expertise in mortgage and housing finance matters.
• Partners Achieving Community Transformation (PACT)core partnership - flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of 'From Prayers to Pro Formas' event. PACT is a partnership focused on healthy, financially and environmentally sustainable communities on Columbus' Near East Side.
• Charter Communicationstrusted partner - minorOthersListed as a trusted partner providing support for AHACO's initiatives.
• AT&Ttrusted partner - minorOthersListed as a trusted partner providing support for AHACO's housing advocacy mission.
• Crane Grouptrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner company supporting AHACO's mission.
• Wynn Developerstrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner housing developer supporting AHACO initiatives.
• USA Mortgagetrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner mortgage lender in the AHACO network.
• Sawmill Road Managementtrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner in the AHACO network.
• The Robert Weiler Companytrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner real estate company in AHACO's network.
• Health Impact Ohiotrusted partner - minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partner organization connecting health and housing initiatives.
• EMH&Ttrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner providing engineering and development expertise.
• Eisner Advisory Group, LLCtrusted partner - minorOthersTrusted partner advisory firm in the AHACO network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO): Statewide Ohio housing advocacy and homelessness prevention nonprofit. Directly comparable as a Ohio-focused housing advocacy organization providing policy research, training, and coalition building, though operating at the state rather than regional level.
• Greater Ohio Policy Center: Ohio-focused nonprofit advocating for housing, land use, and community development policy. Comparable regional advocacy mission with research and policy reform focus, including zoning modernization themes that overlap with AHACO's Modern Zoning program.
• Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County: Local public-private funding entity for affordable housing in Columbus and Franklin County. Comparable as a Central Ohio affordable housing stakeholder, already a Sustaining Advisor partner of AHACO, and overlapping in mission around local housing supply expansion.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that invests capital and mobilizes public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing supply. Comparable as a major affordable housing intermediary with policy advocacy, research, and developer support, though at significantly larger scale.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development nonprofit supporting affordable housing and economic development. Comparable coalition-building model with bank and corporate partners, and similar emphasis on local technical assistance, though LISC is far larger and operates in 38 states.
• National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC): National advocacy organization dedicated to ending America's affordable housing crisis. Highly comparable policy advocacy and research mission, though NLIHC operates federally rather than at a regional/municipal level like AHACO.

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity of Ohio: Ohio affiliate(s) of the national affordable housing nonprofit focused on homeownership production. Comparable Ohio footprint and affordable housing mission, but distinct in that Habitat builds housing directly while AHACO focuses on policy and ecosystem advocacy.

Regional players

• CHN Housing Partners: Cleveland-based nonprofit affordable housing developer and service provider serving Northeast Ohio. Comparable as a regional Ohio housing nonprofit, though CHN owns/manages properties and provides direct resident services rather than focusing on advocacy and policy.

Others

• Bipartisan Policy Center - Housing Program: Nonprofit think tank producing housing policy research and recommendations. Comparable as a research-driven policy shop influencing housing legislation, though operating nationally and without AHACO's community organizing dimension.
• Urban Land Institute (ULI) Columbus: Local chapter of national real estate and land use research organization. Comparable as a Columbus-based convener of developers, banks, and policymakers on housing and land use issues, with overlapping membership in AHACO's partner ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AHACOhousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ahaco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Affordable Housing Alliance Of Central Ohio