Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

What Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara does

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) is a federally chartered public housing authority established in 1969 by the Santa Barbara City Council following voter approval of Proposition C in November 1968, operating as a legally distinct public entity separate from City government. The Authority administers a portfolio of affordable rental housing programs for very low-income families (30% AMI and below, with 75% of vouchers reserved for this tier), seniors aged 62 and older, disabled and special-needs individuals, and low-to-moderate income workforce households earning between 80% and 160% of Area Median Income. Service delivery spans direct housing through 60+ owned properties and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (both tenant-based and project-based), Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV, ending September 2026), Workforce Housing (~250 units), Senior Housing (Garden Court, The Gardens on Hope, Grace Village), and Supportive Housing (El Carrillo, Artisan Court, Bradley Studios, Johnson Court, Vera Cruz Village).

The Authority operates an integrated technology and service infrastructure anchored by RentCafe (online rent payments via bank account, debit, or credit), WIPS/PayNearMe walk-in cash payment networks at CVS and 7-Eleven, the HMS PAL landlord portal providing 18-month payment history and remittance access, and online application portals. It participates in HUD's Moving to Work (MTW) Cohort 4 demonstration program focused on landlord incentives, giving it programmatic flexibility unavailable to non-MTW authorities. Major redevelopment initiatives are underway, including the Presidio Springs senior community expansion from 122 to 327 units, the adaptive reuse of 3055 De La Vina (former Quality Inn) into 32 studio supportive housing units, the Jacaranda Court 63-unit Missing Middle project, and the four-story Hope Avenue/Bella Vista affordable project — the first funded by the City of Santa Barbara's Local Housing Trust.

The Authority's revenue model is anchored in federal HUD funding (Section 8 HCV allocations, EHV, public housing operating subsidies) and tenant rent payments structured at approximately 30% of adjusted income for subsidized units, with market or near-market rents for workforce housing. Its nonprofit affiliate, 2nd Story Associates (established August 2007), extends capital-raising capacity via bond issuance and the Adopt-a-Home campaign. The Authority is currently navigating material funding compression: Emergency Housing Voucher funding is terminating September 30, 2026 (five years ahead of schedule), the Section 8 HCV program is being restructured under the March 14, 2025 Continuing Resolution, and HUD's February 2026 proposed immigration-status verification rule threatens a portion of the eligible tenant base — prompting the Authority to submit formal opposition comments.

Name

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

Legal name

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara

Website

https://hacsb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is a federally chartered public housing authority established in 1969 that administers Section 8 vouchers, workforce, senior, and supportive affordable housing across 60+ properties for low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals in Santa Barbara County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Affordable Housing

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Rental and Leasing Services (532)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIANAA

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

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Housing, Urban Planning & Community Development

SECONDARYBPAJAFAD

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8)

Business & Public Services/Real Estate Services (Brokerage, Property Management)/Residential Property Management

SECONDARYHLADAAAB

Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Independent Living Communities

SECONDARYHLADAEAB

Rental / Fee-for-Service CCRCs

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)

Keywords

• Public housing authority
• Affordable rental housing
• Section 8 vouchers
• Senior housing programs
• Supportive housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal HUD Funding: Primary funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through various housing assistance programs including Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
2. Tenant Rent Payments: Residents pay rent based on their income (typically 30% for subsidized units) or market rates for non-subsidized workforce and senior housing units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) is a public housing authority that provides affordable rental housing and rental assistance to low-income families, seniors, disabled individuals, and homeless persons in Santa Barbara County. It operates the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, owns and manages over 60 affordable housing properties including workforce, senior, and supportive housing units, and administers resident services such as Family Self-Sufficiency, Youth Services, and Senior Services.

Product overview

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara operates as a public housing authority providing affordable rental housing and supportive services to eligible low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals. The organization offers multiple housing programs including the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (with both tenant-based and project-based options), Workforce Housing (~250 units), Senior Housing, and Supportive Housing (with on-site services). Core services include online rent payment through RentCafe and WIPS, an online landlord portal (HMS PAL), and resident supportive services including Family Self Sufficiency, Youth Services, and Senior Services. The authority owns and manages over 60 properties throughout Santa Barbara and is currently undertaking major redevelopment projects including Presidio Springs (expanding from 122 to 327 units) and adaptive reuse of the former Quality Inn into 32 studio apartments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Federal rental assistance program helping very low-income families, elderly, and disabled persons afford decent, safe housing in the private market. Includes both tenant-based and project-based vouchers administered in Santa Barbara County.
• Workforce Housing Program Affordable rental housing for low to moderate income workers (80%-160% AMI) who earn too much for traditional subsidized housing but not enough for market-rate housing in Santa Barbara. Approximately 250 workforce units across three types: Restricted Boundary/Downtown Workforce, General Workforce, and Middle Income/Open Market Workforce.
• Senior Housing Housing opportunities for seniors 62 and older including subsidized and non-subsidized senior housing, service-enhanced independent-living at Garden Court and The Gardens on Hope, and Grace Village Apartments (58 units with 35 Section 8 subsidized).
• Supportive Housing Housing with on-site supportive services for special needs individuals and families, including case management, job skills assessment, and independent living skills. Five developments: El Carrillo, Artisan Court, Bradley Studios, Johnson Court, and Vera Cruz Village. Delivered with partners YMCA Youth and Family Services and PathPoint.
• Moving to Work (MTW) Program HUD demonstration program providing flexibility to design innovative housing and self-sufficiency strategies, including activities such as Damage Claims, Pre-Qualifying Unit Inspections, and Vacancy Loss for participating landlords.
• Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) Rental assistance created to assist people experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or who recently experienced homelessness.
• Online Rent Payment System Digital payment platform allowing residents to pay rent via RentCafe (bank account, debit/credit card with fees) or WIPS walk-in cash payments at CVS and 7-Eleven locations. Includes property-specific payment portals for 60+ HACSB properties.
• Online Landlord Portal (HMS PAL) Web-based landlord portal for Section 8 landlords providing 18-month payment history, year-to-date totals, current check/direct deposit data, ledger views, inspection results, and tenant caseworker information.
• Supportive Services Program Comprehensive case management services helping clients maintain successful tenancies, including short-term case management, counseling referrals, senior services, transitional assistance, and eviction prevention.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Voluntary five-year program with an Individual Training and Services Plan helping Section 8 families achieve self-sufficiency through career coaching, financial planning, escrow savings accounts, and homeownership preparation.
• Youth Services Programs for Housing Authority youth including Tools for School back-to-school event, academic support, case management, Youth Opportunity Fund scholarships up to $500, Preparaciòn Bienestar y Cultura summer program, and CASA Camp.
• Senior Services Wellness programs, annual Young at Heart Senior Fair, Easy Lift Transportation Coupons, MTD Bus Passes, Furniture Closet, case management, and counseling services for senior residents.
• Family Resource Center (Advocate of the Day) Individualized assistance connecting families with resources including utility assistance, health insurance, food security, childcare, employment, and youth programs. Available via phone Monday-Thursday 10AM-12PM.
• Landlord Services Services for Section 8 landlords including free rental listing, $500 signing bonus, damage protection up to $2,000, vacancy loss coverage, referral bonus, annual inspections, and direct deposit of housing assistance payments.
• Affordable Housing Property Portfolio Portfolio of over 60 affordable housing properties throughout Santa Barbara including El Carrillo, Artisan Court, Bradley Studios, Pearl Gardens, Vera Cruz Village, Grace Village, Presidio Springs, and multiple workforce and senior housing developments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Presidio Springs redevelopment will triple housing capacity from 122 to 327 units for low-income seniors
• +1 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Foodbank of Santa Barbara CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026Recognized as HACSB's Partner of Year in February 2026. Provides food security resources and support to Housing Authority residents through collaborative community partnership.
• 2nd Story AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHACSB's nonprofit affiliate established in August 2007 to address unmet affordable housing needs and expanded resident service programs for low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals earning 80% AMI and below. The affiliate enables the authority to issue bonds for housing development and conduct fundraising campaigns like the Adopt-a-Home initiative.
• PathPointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-site coordinators at each supportive housing development offering case management, job skills assessment, job placement, and community independent living skills services for underserved populations.
• YMCA Youth and Family Services (YFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes youth aging out of foster care at Artisan Court supportive housing development, with YFS staff on-site providing social services to pre-teens, teens, and young adults (18-24) including Noah's Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter and Street Outreach Services.
• United Way of Santa Barbara CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with HACSB to provide additional resources and support to Housing Authority youth and families through various youth programs.
• Santa Barbara City College Foundation - SBCC PromiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing educational resources and college pathway support for HACSB youth participants through summer programs and educational enrichment activities.
• Family Service AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides confidential counseling services to Housing Authority residents through contract with HACSB's Supportive Services Program.
• Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) MembersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organizations collaborating with HACSB on the Family Self-Sufficiency Program including Santa Barbara City College, Ventura County Community Development Corp., Isla Vista Youth Projects, Montecito Bank & Trust, Transition House, and others who secure public and private resources for program operation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA): California public housing authority administering Section 8 vouchers and public housing across LA. Directly comparable as a California PHA operating federal housing programs, though much larger in scale than HACSB.
• Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB): Southern California PHA administering Section 8, public housing, and affordable housing. Similar mid-size PHA structure with comparable program portfolio.
• San Diego Housing Commission: Public housing agency serving San Diego with Section 8 HCV, public housing, and affordable housing development. Comparable as a Southern California PHA with similar program mix and high-cost market dynamics.
• Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA): Joint powers authority administering federal housing programs and redevelopment in Sacramento. Comparable as a California PHA with combined housing authority and redevelopment functions.
• Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA): Texas PHA with Section 8, public housing, and a Moving to Work designation. Comparable as a mid-size PHA with MTW flexibility, though serving a different (non-California) market.
• Oakland Housing Authority: California PHA administering federal housing programs in a high-cost coastal-adjacent market. Comparable as a mid-size PHA with Section 8 and public housing operations in California.
• Housing Authority of the City of Pasadena: City-level PHA serving Pasadena, California, with Section 8 administration and affordable housing programs. Similar in size and scope to HACSB, operating in an adjacent high-cost Southern California market.
• Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara: County-level PHA covering the broader Santa Barbara County area outside City of Santa Barbara jurisdiction. Most direct geographic peer, with overlapping Section 8 administration, senior housing, and rural housing programs.
• San Francisco Housing Authority: Public housing authority serving San Francisco with Section 8 and public housing programs. Comparable as a high-cost-market California PHA facing similar affordability pressure.

Regional players

• Steadfast LA (formerly Skid Row Housing Trust): California nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals. Comparable as a regional operator of supportive housing developments serving special needs populations, similar to HACSB's 3055 De La Vina and supportive housing programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HACSB
• Instagraminstagram.com/hacsbsantabarbara
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/housing-authority-of-the-city-of-santa-barbara

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara