Newark Housing Authority

What Newark Housing Authority does

Newark Housing Authority (NHA) is a federally chartered Public Housing Authority established in 1938 under the laws of New Jersey, administering HUD-funded affordable housing programs for the City of Newark. NHA directly owns and operates 45+ public housing developments spanning all five Newark wards (West, South, North, Central, Ironbound), comprising ten elderly/disabled-designated properties, 34 family developments, and scattered-site units, serving more than 6,000 families monthly and over 10,000 families across programs. In addition to direct public housing, NHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), 101 Emergency Housing Vouchers allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (2021), and an 83-unit Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) portfolio, with 12,000+ applicants currently on the waiting list.

NHA's technology stack consists of standard commercial tools rather than proprietary infrastructure: the Rent Café resident and landlord portal (Securecafe, portals-newarkha.securecafe.com), the Bidnet Direct vendor procurement platform for construction, commodities, and professional services bidding, and Zoom for virtual public board meetings and Resident Advisory Board sessions. No APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML capabilities are described. Supporting programs include the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) initiative with job training and escrow savings, the Senior Housing Program with on-site medical clinics via Beth Israel Medical Center, language access services in Spanish and Portuguese, and partnerships with Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Rutgers Behavioral Health Care, the Essex County Continuum of Care, and the Division of Child Protection & Permanency.

NHA is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council, and is led by a recently appointed executive team headed by Executive Director Leonard J. Spicer, a former HUD Director of Public Housing for New Jersey. Revenue is sourced through Annual Contributions Contracts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and tenant rental payments (capped at 30% of household income for public housing residents). NHA uses an income-based rent model for direct public housing, flat rent options in federally funded developments, and HUD-set Payment Standards for voucher programs, with HCV maximum rents ranging from $1,612 (studio) to $4,078 (six-bedroom). The organization operates as a non-traded government entity headquartered at 500 Broad Street, Newark, and has been continuously operating for over 87 years.

Name

Newark Housing Authority

Legal name

Newark Housing Authority

Website

https://newarkha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Newark Housing Authority (NHA) is a federally chartered Public Housing Authority established in 1938 that administers HUD-funded Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Emergency Housing Vouchers, and Rental Assistance Demonstration programs across 45+ developments in Newark, NJ, serving more than 6,000 families monthly.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Housing Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (53111), Administration of Housing Programs (92511)

SIC

Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510), Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD), Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB)

Keywords

• Public housing services
• Rental assistance programs
• Housing choice vouchers
• Affordable housing management
• Community housing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Housing Assistance (HUD): NHA receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer public housing and rental assistance programs. Revenue comes through Annual Contributions Contracts with HUD for housing assistance payments and operating subsidies.
2. Vendor and Landlord Participation Fees: NHA facilitates business opportunities for vendors and landlords through their bidding platform (Bidnet). While vendor registration is free for NHA-related activities, the organization creates economic opportunities that generate administrative fees and support local economic growth.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NHA is a government public housing authority that delivers federally funded affordable housing and rental assistance to low-income families, elderly residents, and disabled individuals in Newark. It directly owns and manages a portfolio of 45 public housing developments while administering HUD-funded Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), Emergency Housing Voucher, and Rental Assistance Demonstration programs. Its service model combines subsidized rental housing with wraparound client services including the Family Self-Sufficiency program, senior wellness services, housing counseling, and multilingual support in Spanish and Portuguese.

Product overview

Newark Housing Authority (NHA) operates a multi-program social services housing platform rather than a commercial technology product. The organization administers HUD-funded housing assistance programs including Public Housing (low-income rental units), the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and Emergency Housing Vouchers. Supporting programs include Client Services with the Family Self-Sufficiency initiative, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversions, and Senior Housing Programs. Digital services include a Rent Café self-service portal for residents, a Bidnet vendor/bidding portal for procurement, and property management operations across 45+ developments serving over 10,000 families. NHA does not offer a commercial technology product, APIs, or AI capabilities—it provides government housing services to eligible residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing Program Federal low-income public housing program providing safe and affordable rental housing for eligible families, elderly, and people with disabilities in NHA-managed properties, with rents generally set at 30% of household income and flat rent options by unit type.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) HUD-funded tenant-based rental assistance program helping very low-income families, elderly, and disabled persons afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market, with maximum rent payment standards by unit type from $1,612 (Studio) to $4,078 (6 Bedroom).
• Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) Rental assistance for individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or recently homeless, with EHV maximum payment standards by unit type from $1,220 (Studio) to $3,103 (5 Bedrooms) plus a $400 first-time owner incentive.
• Client Services Support services including the Family Self-Sufficiency program, senior programs, health and wellness initiatives, tenant organizations, and community partnerships promoting economic self-sufficiency for NHA residents.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program reducing dependency on government subsidies through case management, goal-setting, educational programs, job training, and escrow savings accounts for participants who increase earnings.
• Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program HUD program allowing conversion of public housing units to project-based Section 8 rental assistance, enabling access to private capital for rehabilitation and preservation of affordable housing; 83 NHA units converted to date.
• Senior Housing Programs Designated housing for elderly and disabled residents including Stephen Crane Elderly, Kretchmer Elderly, Seth Boyden Elderly, James C. White Manor, and Baxter Terrace, with on-site medical clinics operated by Beth Israel Medical Center, wellness activities, community programming, and transportation via City of Newark Senior Services.
• Property Management Services Management of 45 public housing developments including unit maintenance, rent collection, Housing Quality Standards inspections, and occupancy management across family and senior properties in Newark's five wards.
• Self-Service Resident Portal (Rent Café) Online self-service portal via Securecafe for residents and applicants to check application/waitlist status, pay rent, manage accounts, and access housing services digitally on a 24/7 basis.
• Vendor/Bidding Portal (Bidnet Direct) Web-based procurement system via Bidnet (formerly BidSync) for vendor registration, viewing solicitations, downloading bid documents, and submitting bids for construction, commodities, and professional services, with free registration for all NHA-related bidding activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6000+ families served monthly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021HUD provides federal funding and oversight for NHA's public housing and voucher programs through Annual Contributions Contracts. NHA was awarded 101 Emergency Housing Vouchers through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) administered by HUD.
• Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1982The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America, distributes food and provides education to help hungry people throughout New Jersey. Since 1982, they have distributed some 600 million pounds of food valued at roughly one billion dollars. NHA partners with CFBNJ and tenant associations to service several NHA tenant associations throughout Newark with food commodities.
• Essex County CoC's Coordinated Entry ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Essex County Continuum of Care (CoC) Coordinated Entry Program provides centralized access to homeless services throughout Essex County. All referrals to NHA's Emergency Housing Voucher program must be made through this coordinated entry system.
• Essex County Family Justice Center (ECFJC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECFJC provides direct referral services to NHA's Emergency Housing Voucher program for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.
• Beth Israel Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Israel Medical Center operates on-site medical clinics at NHA senior properties including James C. White Manor, providing healthcare services to senior residents.
• City of Newark Senior ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Newark Senior Services provides transportation for NHA senior residents, enabling access to shopping trips and other essential services.
• Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (RUBHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRUBHC provides referrals for the Millennium Way Preference (for qualified disabled or chronically homeless individuals) and Chadwick Development Preference programs at NHA properties.
• Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCP&P refers families to NHA through the DCP&P Preference program, addressing housing needs to prevent family separation or in support of reunification when lack of adequate housing is a primary factor.
• Bidnet (formerly BidSync)coreTechnology or IntegrationNHA partners with Bidnet to provide streamlined, web-based bidding services. This platform enables vendors to receive and respond to business opportunities online, ensuring timely and efficient communication. Vendor registration and all NHA-related bidding activities are free through this platform.
• NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNACA partnered with NHA to host a Section 8 Homebuyer Workshop in 2025, with over 500 attendees representing 472 households, empowering families on the path to homeownership.
• Urban League of Essex County Opportunity Corporation (ULECOC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerULECOC, a Community Housing Development Organization, partnered with NHA to offer newly constructed affordable two-family housing developments for sale in Newark.
• Build Believers Trust CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild Believers Trust Corporation holds open public meetings under the Open Public Meetings Act, discussing community development initiatives in coordination with NHA.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Housing Authority (CHA): Major urban PHA serving over 65,000 households through public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Project-Based Voucher programs. As a similarly structured government entity funded by HUD, CHA is directly comparable to NHA in mission, programs, and operating model.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): PHA serving over 79,000 residents in more than 14,000 public housing units plus HCV program administration in Philadelphia. Operates the same federal HUD programs (Public Housing, HCV, special vouchers) as NHA with similar geographic and demographic profile of residents.
• Houston Housing Authority (HHA): Major urban PHA operating public housing developments, HCV program, and special purpose vouchers in Houston. Comparable in scale, federal HUD funding mechanics, and resident profile (mixed low-income, elderly, disabled).
• New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): The largest public housing authority in the US, administering 162,143 public housing units and over 87,000 Section 8 vouchers in New York City. Both are government PHAs administering federal HUD-funded public housing and voucher programs with similar governance structures, federal funding sources, and resident service missions.
• District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA): DCHA administers public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs in Washington, D.C., serving over 50,000 residents. Comparable in operating model, federal HUD funding, and resident demographics to NHA, with overlapping vendor relationships (e.g., Securecafe/Rent Café).
• Boston Housing Authority (BHA): BHA manages approximately 16,000 public housing units and 13,000+ Housing Choice Vouchers in Boston. Comparable mid-Atlantic/Northeast urban PHA with similar property management, RAD program participation, and federal HUD funding structure.

Regional players

• Jersey City Housing Authority: New Jersey PHA serving Jersey City with public housing developments, Section 8 vouchers, and senior housing programs. Adjacent to NHA in the same state regulatory environment (NJ DCA oversight) and similar population served, making it a strong regional comparable.
• Housing Authority of the City of Hoboken: Smaller New Jersey PHA serving Hoboken with public housing and voucher programs. NHA's Director of Client Services previously worked at Hoboken Housing Authority. Comparable in NJ regulatory environment and program structure.
• Irvington Housing Authority: New Jersey PHA serving Irvington, NJ. Notably, NHA's Executive Director Leonard Spicer previously served as Recovery Administrator and Executive Director at Irvington Housing Authority after it was placed into receivership. Strong regional and operational comparable.

Broad incumbents

• Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA): One of the largest PHAs in the US, administering Housing Choice Vouchers and family public housing across LA County. Comparable federal funding model and program structure but serves a substantially larger jurisdiction than NHA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• XX.com/NewarkPHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/newarkhousingauthority
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/newark-housing-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Newark Housing Authority