Sarasota Housing Authority

What Sarasota Housing Authority does

Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA) is a HUD-designated public housing authority established in 1938 that administers federal affordable housing programs in Sarasota County, Florida, serving over 2,400 low-income families. Core offerings include the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) tenant-based program, Project-Based Vouchers, traditional public housing, and a portfolio of owned multifamily properties including Bertha Mitchell Community (100 units), McCown Towers (100 elderly units), and The Annex (75 elderly/disabled units). Resident services span Youth Thrive, Family Self Sufficiency, Pathways to a Better Life, Homeownership, and Early Childhood Literacy programs delivered in partnership with 40+ community organizations. Operating revenue is derived from HUD Housing Assistance Payments, tenant contributions capped at 30% of adjusted income, Low Income Housing Tax Credit syndication equity, and federal/state/local grants.

Technology is delivered through PHA-Web-hosted portals (tenant, landlord, applicant) using a standard HTML/CSS/JavaScript stack, with no proprietary AI or ML components. Since exiting a 2005–2008 HUD receivership, SHA has completed nine major redevelopment projects including Janie's Garden (226 units across three phases), Lofts on Lemon (128 units, including 52 workforce/hometown heroes units), Amaryllis Park Place (84 senior units), and Cypress Square (84 units, 2024). An active pipeline of four additional developments — Cypress Square II (108 units), Lofts on Lemon II (100 units), Cypress Square III (61 units), and Central Gardens (39 units) — totals 308 units, financed primarily through 4% LIHTC/bonds, FHFC RRLP loans, and Sarasota County ARPA funds. SHA's wholly-owned 501c3 affiliate, the Sarasota Housing Funding Corp (SHFC), leads multifamily acquisition and rehabilitation activities.

The business model is government-administered: SHA does not generate commercial revenue but receives federal HUD appropriations and distributes them as housing assistance, while simultaneously acting as a real estate developer and property manager using LIHTC financing and development partners (Michaels Development, Fortis Development). Customer segments are largely federally funded low-income families, with secondary segments of seniors (62+), individuals with disabilities, and the new workforce/hometown heroes cohort. The agency holds HUD High Performer status and was recognized as FAHRO's Most Outstanding Agency in Florida in 2013.

Name

Sarasota Housing Authority

Legal name

Sarasota Housing Authority

Website

https://sarasotahousing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sarasota Housing Authority is a HUD-designated public housing authority administering federal affordable housing programs in Sarasota County, Florida, serving over 2,400 low-income families through Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and a portfolio of owned and LIHTC-financed properties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Assistance

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Administration of Housing Programs (92511), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Voucher & Rental Assistance Programs (Tenant-Based/Project-Based) (FSALAKAI), Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Public housing assistance
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable rental housing
• Low-income housing programs
• Senior disabled housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. HUD Housing Assistance Payments (HAP): Federal housing assistance payments received from HUD to subsidize rent for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) participants. Tenants pay 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent; HUD covers the difference up to the payment standard.
2. Tenant Rent Payments: Residents in public housing and assisted housing units pay 30% of their monthly adjusted gross income toward rent and utilities. This represents the primary tenant contribution to housing operations.
3. Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC): SHA's redevelopment projects utilize 9% and 4% LIHTC financing awarded by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). LIHTC syndication investors (e.g., Bank of America, Raymond James, Richman Asset Management) provide equity capital in exchange for tax credits.
4. Federal, State, and Local Grants: SHA receives grants from HUD (e.g., HUD RHF - Rental Housing Finance), City of Sarasota, Sarasota County (including ARPA funds), and foundations (Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation). These fund capital improvements and affordable housing development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sarasota Housing Authority is a public housing agency administering HUD-funded affordable housing programs including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), public housing units, and project-based rental assistance. It also develops mixed-income housing and provides resident support services such as case management and self-sufficiency programs to low-income households in Sarasota County, Florida.

Product overview

Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA) operates a comprehensive affordable housing portfolio consisting of rental assistance programs and property developments. Core offerings include the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) tenant-based program, Project-Based Voucher properties, and owned housing properties (Bertha Mitchell, McCown Towers, The Annex). The portfolio includes multiple redevelopment properties: Lofts on Lemon (128 units), Amaryllis Park Place (84 units), Janie's Garden (226 units across 3 phases), and Cypress Square (84 units). Current development pipeline includes Cypress Square II (108 units), Lofts on Lemon II (100 units), Cypress Square III (61 units), and Central Gardens (39 units). Supporting services include Youth Thrive, Homeownership Program, Family Self Sufficiency, Pathways to a Better Life, and Early Childhood Literacy initiatives. The organization serves over 2,400 low-income families in Sarasota County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
• Public Housing Program
• Project-Based Voucher Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,400 families served with housing assistance through SHA and SHFC
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Sarasota County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSarasota County serves as a contracted human services funder supporting SHA's Resident Services Department and Youth Thrive programming. The county also provides contract funding and co-investment in SHA redevelopment projects through community development funds and ARPA allocations.
• New College of FloridasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes as an education partner providing programming and support for SHA's Resident Services and educational initiatives.
• Michaels Development CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHA's development partner for the Janie's Garden phased development (Phases I, II, III) - a 226-unit mixed-income community. Michaels served as developer alongside SHA and the development team (Torti Gallas architects, Clark/Saterfield & Pontikes construction).
• Fortis Development (Smith & Henzy Affordable Group / Calston JV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHA's primary development partner for recent redevelopment: Cypress Square, Lofts on Lemon, and pipeline projects (Cypress Square II, Lofts on Lemon II, Cypress Square III, Central Gardens). Fortis leads development with SHA as co-developer.
• Sarasota County School BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner supporting SHA's early childhood literacy and school attendance programs. SHA coordinates with individual schools (Alta Vista, Booker High, Emma E. Booker Elementary) to address chronic absenteeism among public housing students.
• Sarasota Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding community partner co-hosting the annual Shop with a Cop event (125 children in 2025) and Books and Badges literacy program. Officers participate in community engagement activities with SHA residents.
• Sarasota County LibrariessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SHA's early childhood literacy initiatives, including the Book Rich Environment program distributing free books and supporting Summer Book Giveaways.
• Suncoast Technical CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing vocational training and workforce development opportunities for SHA residents seeking job skills and employment.
• All Faith's Food BanksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner addressing food insecurity among SHA residents through food distribution services and community support.
• Boys and Girls ClubssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing after-school and summer enrichment programs for youth living in SHA communities.
• Children FirstsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner providing early childhood development services and support for families in SHA communities.
• Habitat for HumanitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency partner supporting homeownership opportunities and housing stability for SHA residents.
• Suncoast Partnership to End HomelessnesssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional coalition partner addressing homelessness in the Sarasota area, coordinating resources and services with SHA.
• Education Foundation of Sarasota CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner supporting SHA's early childhood literacy and youth academic enrichment programs.
• University of Florida IFAS ExtensionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing agricultural/environmental programming and community education resources for SHA residents.
• Ringling Museum of ArtsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner providing educational and enrichment field trip opportunities for SHA youth through summer enrichment programs.
• NDC Asset ManagementcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party property management company managing multiple SHA redevelopment properties including Lofts on Lemon, Amaryllis Park Place, and Cypress Square, handling leasing, tenant relations, and property operations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Hillsborough County Housing Authority: Larger Tampa Bay area PHA administering HCV and public housing with an active LIHTC and mixed-income redevelopment pipeline. Comparable in governance structure (county-affiliated) and program scope, but at meaningfully larger scale.
• Manatee County Housing Authority: Adjacent county public housing authority in the same Sarasota-Manatee market, administering HCV and public housing programs to overlapping populations. Directly comparable in scale and program mix, though operating in a different county.
• Lee County Housing Authority: Regional Florida PHA serving the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area with HCV, public housing, and redevelopment programs. Operates in a similarly high-cost coastal Florida market and runs LIHTC-funded new construction.
• Pinellas County Housing Authority: Tampa Bay area PHA administering federal rental assistance and affordable housing programs in a similarly high-cost Florida coastal market. Comparable program mix including elderly/disabled and family housing.
• Charlotte County Housing Authority: Southwest Florida PHA administering HUD-funded rental assistance and public housing in Charlotte County. Comparable in small-to-mid PHA size and reliance on HCV/LIHTC in a coastal Florida market.

Direct peers

• Jacksonville Housing Authority: Large Florida PHA operating HCV, public housing, and major LIHTC mixed-income redevelopment projects. Directly comparable as a Florida PHA executing federal tax-credit-funded affordable housing developments at scale.
• Orlando Housing Authority: Mid-size Florida PHA administering HCV, public housing, and LIHTC-funded redevelopment with a comparable blended program structure. Differentiated by urban Orlando market but highly comparable in operational scope and funding model.

Others

• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO): National membership and advocacy organization for housing authorities and redevelopment officials. Not a competitor but the umbrella association through which SHA benchmarks against peer PHAs and accesses federal advocacy and training.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Federal regulator and primary funder that designates and oversees all public housing authorities including SHA. Not a market peer but the structural counterparty whose funding allocations and regulatory standards directly determine SHA's operating budget and pipeline viability.

Broad incumbents

• Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development: Large Florida public housing and community development agency administering HCV, public housing, and a broad affordable housing portfolio. Comparable in HUD programmatic structure but operates at substantially larger scale and broader geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/housingsarasota?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/SarasotaHousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sarasota-housing-authority

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Sarasota Housing Authority