NEW BEDFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY

What NEW BEDFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY does

The New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) is a government public housing authority founded in 1938 that manages approximately 2,500 housing units - roughly 1,650 federal public housing units and 850 state-aided units - across more than 40 developments in New Bedford, Massachusetts, serving over 6,000 low and moderate-income individuals. The authority also administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) with approximately 1,900 vouchers in circulation, alongside resident support programs including ROSS (Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency), Family Self Sufficiency, and senior services such as Coastline Elderly meal programs. All residents are charged on an income-adjusted basis: 30% of adjusted monthly income for public housing residents and 30-40% for HCVP tenants, with minimum-rent hardship exemptions available.

NBHA's technical and infrastructure footprint is anchored by energy efficiency investments executed through long-duration partnerships with Ameresco (21+ years) and Aegis Energy Services. The portfolio includes Combined Heat and Power cogeneration systems at three elderly high-rises (Boa Vista, Tripp Towers, New Bedford Hotel), 2.4 MW of rooftop solar PV across 11 of 15 developments under the SMART Program, Micro-CHP units at Church Street and Loftus Street, LED lighting retrofits, and a 130-camera video surveillance network. A 2020 Energy Performance Contract valued at $12.7 million represents the largest infrastructure upgrade in the authority's history and delivered approximately $882,000 in first-year savings, with reported electricity reductions of nearly 10% and gas reductions of nearly 11%.

The revenue model is fundamentally government-funded: HUD federal operating subsidies, Massachusetts state-aided housing contracts, tenant rents, and energy performance contract savings. Distribution occurs through centralized administration at the DeMello International Center (128 Union Street), seven property management offices across the city, online application portals (CHAMPS and waitlistcheck.com), and an online parking sticker service. Strategic partnerships span the New Bedford Public Schools (literacy programs), United Way (family resource coordination), YMCA Southcoast and Southcoast Health (smoke-free housing coalition), and various local service providers. The authority has received nine ENERGY STAR designations, PHECC's Hall of Energy Stars recognition, and maintains High Performer status under HUD's Public Housing Assessment System.

Name

NEW BEDFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY

Legal name

New Bedford Housing Authority

Website

https://newbedfordhousingauthority.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

New Bedford Housing Authority is a government public housing authority managing approximately 2,500 federal and state-aided housing units across 40+ developments in New Bedford, Massachusetts, serving over 6,000 low and moderate-income residents through public housing and Section 8 voucher programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Bedford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Tenant Rents: Public housing residents pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent. HCVP tenants pay between 30% and 40% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent.
2. Federal Government Subsidy: Rental subsidy from the Federal government through HUD for public housing operations and utility costs.
3. State Government Subsidy: Rental subsidy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for state-aided housing units.
4. Energy Cost Savings: Energy performance contracts where savings from efficiency upgrades are used to repay installation costs, reducing overall operating expenses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NBHA operates as a public housing authority providing safe, quality, and affordable housing to low and moderate-income families, elderly, and disabled residents in New Bedford, MA. It manages approximately 1,650 federal public housing units and 850 state-aided units across 44+ developments, plus administers the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program with about 1,900 vouchers, collectively serving over 6,000 individuals.

Product overview

The New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) operates as a public housing authority providing affordable housing through two core programs: federally-funded public housing (approximately 1,650 units across multiple developments) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) for rental assistance. The Authority's housing portfolio includes over 40 developments offering family units, elderly housing, and accessible units. Supporting services include ROSS (Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency) and Family Self-Sufficiency programs for resident empowerment, plus senior services coordination. Infrastructure offerings encompass energy performance contracting through Ameresco for renewable energy (2.4MW solar) and CHP systems for energy efficiency. The organization was founded in 1938 and maintains 'High Performer' status under HUD's Public Housing Assessment System.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Housing Program Federally-funded public housing program providing safe, quality, and affordable housing units to eligible low and moderate-income families, elderly, and disabled residents. NBHA manages approximately 1,650 federal public housing units and 850 state-aided units across 44+ developments.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Federally-funded rental assistance program (formerly Section 8) that helps eligible low-income tenants pay rent to private landlords, with tenants paying 30%-40% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and the government covering the remainder. Includes Housing Quality Standards inspections.
• Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program HUD-funded program providing Service Coordinators who assess resident needs and coordinate community resources to help families increase earned income, reduce welfare dependency, and achieve economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Program for HCVP families to increase earned income and reduce dependency on welfare and rental subsidies through education, job training, counseling, and social service assistance, coordinated with local PCC partners.
• Senior Services Coordinated services for elderly residents at senior-designated developments, including medical paperwork assistance, referrals, health professional visits, nutrition support via Coastline Elderly Services, and social activities such as exercise classes, movie nights, and holiday luncheons.
• Federal Housing Developments Portfolio of federal-funded housing developments including Bay Village, Presidential Heights, Brickenwood, Westlawn, Dottin Place, Shawmut Village, and others offering family and elderly housing units across New Bedford, MA.
• State-Aided Housing Developments Portfolio of state-funded housing developments including Blue Meadows, Nashmont, Parkdale, New Bedford Hotel, Tripp Towers, and Sawyer Park, with veteran admission preferences at several locations.
• Energy Performance Contracting Program Comprehensive energy efficiency upgrade program through partnership with Ameresco, including 2.4 MW rooftop solar PV installations at 11 of 15 developments, boiler replacements, LED lighting upgrades, and water conservation measures, with savings repaying installation costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electricity consumption decreased by nearly 10% and gas consumption by nearly 11%, saving almost $882,000
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AmerescocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Energy performance contract partner for 21+ years. Current $12.7 million EPC includes rooftop solar installations at 11 of 15 developments, boiler replacements, LED lighting upgrades, and water conservation measures. Ameresco helped NBHA decentralize heat and hot water from central oil-fired steam plants to building-based high-efficiency gas.
• United Way of Greater New BedfordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Agreed to fund a family resource coordinator at Ben Rose Gardens Housing Development to provide services similar to the ROSS Program, including financial literacy and employment training.
• New Bedford Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership for after-school literacy program continuing throughout the school year. Includes on-site tutoring, computer access, instructional materials aligned with classroom curriculum. ROSS coordinators serve as liaisons between families and schools.
• Voices for a Healthy SouthCoastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Coalition led by YMCA Southcoast and Southcoast Health System awarded $1 million grant to implement SouthCoast Healthy Housing and Workplace Initiative (SCHHWI) in Fall River, New Bedford, and Wareham. Part of HHS Community Transformation Grants to reduce chronic diseases and eliminate tobacco exposure.
• YMCA SouthcoastcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Lead agency for Voices for a Healthy SouthCoast coalition and SouthCoast Healthy Housing and Workplace Initiative focused on eliminating tobacco exposure in multi-unit housing.
• Southcoast Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partner in Voices for a Healthy SouthCoast coalition addressing heart and lung disease and smoking-related illnesses in the region.
• Aegis Energy ServicescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2009Designed and installed CHP systems including Aegen ThermoPower 75LE cogeneration modules. Provides ongoing remote monitoring and maintenance services for cogeneration systems at Boa Vista and other properties. Also installed micro-CHP systems at Church Street and Loftus Street developments.
• Constellation Energy ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy performance contract partner that brings in Aegis Energy Services for feasibility studies. Manages energy efficiency projects where savings are used to repay installation costs.
• Lean Program / Low Income Multi-Family (LIMF) Retrofit ProgramcoreOthersProvided $4,644,545 in upgrades for air sealing, insulation, lighting, and appliances across all developments. LEAN (Low-Income Affordability Network) administered program providing cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.
• Citizens EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Federal and State development energy efficiency programs.
• Coastline Elderly ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides hot meals Monday through Friday at 11:30 A.M. for senior residents at Boa Vista and Tripp Towers developments. Also provides on-site personnel to assist elders with information and referrals.
• Department of Children and Families (DCF)minorOthersCollaborates with NBHA regarding foster care placements and determining family unit size for children temporarily away from home.
• Program Coordinating Committees (PCCs)minorOthersLocal partnerships with employers and service providers administering the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, including representatives of local government, employment agencies, welfare agencies, nonprofit providers, and local businesses.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Fall River Housing Authority: Neighboring Southeastern Massachusetts PHA operating public housing units and vouchers in Fall River — directly comparable in scale, regional economic context, and demographics to NBHA.
• Boston Housing Authority: Largest public housing authority in Massachusetts, operating ~10,000 public housing units and administering thousands of Section 8 vouchers under HUD's PHAS framework — directly comparable to NBHA as a Massachusetts municipal PHA serving low/moderate-income residents.
• Cambridge Housing Authority: Massachusetts municipal PHA operating public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers in Cambridge — directly comparable governance structure, regulatory framework, and resident service model as NBHA.
• Worcester Housing Authority: Massachusetts PHA managing public housing units and Section 8 vouchers in Worcester — comparable municipal PHA operating under the same state and federal regulatory framework as NBHA.

Broad incumbents

• Philadelphia Housing Authority: Municipal PHA operating ~14,000 public housing units and tens of thousands of Section 8 vouchers in Philadelphia. Comparable governance and HUD regulatory structure as NBHA, though at meaningfully greater scale.
• Chicago Housing Authority: Major municipal PHA operating ~38,000 public housing units and administering HCVP in Chicago. Comparable as a large-scale urban public housing authority under the same federal PHAS framework, though much larger than NBHA.
• Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA): Large California municipal PHA operating thousands of public housing units and administering Section 8 vouchers across Los Angeles. Comparable PHA regulatory structure and HUD PHAS oversight as NBHA, with much larger unit count and budget.
• New York City Housing Authority: Largest public housing authority in the U.S., operating ~162,000 Section 8 vouchers and public housing units across NYC. Operates under the same HUD PHA framework as NBHA but at vastly greater scale, making it a useful benchmark for federal funding dynamics and regulatory exposure.

Emerging players

• WinnCompanies: Major U.S. affordable and market-rate multifamily housing owner/manager with significant LIHTC and public housing contract portfolio. Comparable in operating affordable/subsidized housing units with HUD oversight, though structured as a private company rather than a government authority like NBHA.

Others

• Ameresco: Leading energy services company and NBHA's 21+ year EPC partner delivering the $12.7M solar and efficiency program. Comparable not as a direct housing peer but as the key enabling partner whose business model monetizes energy performance contracts with public housing authorities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-bedford-housing-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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