What is Housing Accreditation?

Housing Accreditation is a voluntary process that recognizes the quality of a housing organization and assists in its improvement by evaluating it against 8 industry standards. Affordable Housing Accreditation brings together organizations, residents, community stakeholders, business partners and regulators to improve governance, management and service delivery, ultimately benefiting the affordable housing industry and the public.

Accreditation of affordable housing organizations rests on the belief that public and affordable housing is a necessity to the health and welfare of the population and the economic health of the communities where they exist, and that it requires national standards.

Benefits of Housing Accreditation

There are many benefits of receiving housing accreditation, including:

National Standards

Housing Organizations are evaluated on their ability to meet national standards developed by their professional peers.

Peer Review

Another benefit of housing accreditation is that peer review by housing professionals encourages continuous-quality improvement.

Efficiency & Improvement

Accreditation participation demonstrates a commitment to self-assessment, to improving quality, and to adopting new methodologies to improve organizational effectiveness.

Attract Investors

Accreditation participation establishes confidence with potential funders and regulators for future capital investment.

Community Involvement

Housing Accreditation participation affirms a commitment to quality and accountability to residents and the local community.

Who is Eligible for Housing Accreditation?

Affordable housing organizations eligible for accreditation are private for-profit or non-profit corporations, or housing authorities that receive funding from federal, state or local programs in exchange for ensuring affordability of housing under their management.

Public Housing Authority

A public housing authority is defined, for purposes of AHAB accreditation, as the entity with primary statutory authority to acquire, develop, lease and operate affordable housing for residents with limited income. This authority can be defined by statutes or regulations, or established by Executive Order.

Private For Profit

A private for profit corporation may apply for AHAB accreditation if they receive funding from federal, state or local programs to acquire, develop, lease or operate affordable housing.

Non-Profit

A non-profit corporation may apply for AHAB accreditation if they receive funding from federal, state or local programs to acquire, develop, lease or operate affordable housing.

Learn More About the Accreditation Process

Learn More