The Affordable Housing Training Academy: Our "Why"

Property Management in Affordable Housing: High Stakes and Critical Importance

Why We Do What We Do

At the Affordable Housing Training Academy (AHTA), powered by OCCH, we believe affordable housing is about more than buildings and compliance checklists. It’s about people—families, seniors, veterans, and individuals—who rely on safe, stable, and dignified homes to build better futures.

Our work is grounded in the belief that well-managed housing is the bedrock of thriving communities. And behind every successful property are professionals who manage an extraordinary range of responsibilities—often under intense pressure and with limited resources.

OCCH’s Mission at the Core

OCCH brings more than 35 years of mission-driven experience advancing affordable housing development, management, and preservation. This commitment guides every service we offer, including AHTA, and reflects our deep respect for the people and partners doing the essential work on the ground: property management teams.

These frontline professionals are the backbone of the affordable housing industry. Every day, they navigate a complex mix of compliance demands, resident support, staffing issues, and maintenance emergencies—often all at once. Their work is demanding, dynamic, and critical to the health and success of housing communities.

How AHTA Supports Property Management Teams

That’s why we built AHTA—to be a trusted resource and support system for these professionals.

AHTA provides affordable, high-impact, and on-demand training specifically designed for the affordable housing sector. With over 300 courses—and growing—we equip management teams with practical skills and knowledge to meet today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. From Fair Housing and regulatory compliance to resident engagement, maintenance, leadership development, and personal wellness, our platform addresses the full spectrum of property management needs.

We understand the reality of high staff turnover and constrained training budgets. Our solution is accessible, cost-effective, and scalable—with the flexibility to deliver what each organization needs, whether you're onboarding new hires or developing future leaders.

A Culture of Listening and Learning

Our philosophy is simple: listen, learn, adapt. AHTA is not a top-down training provider—we engage deeply with our clients to understand what’s needed and respond quickly to emerging issues in the field. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures that our course offerings remain current, relevant, and impactful.

Why It Matters

When frontline staff are confident and well-equipped, residents experience greater stability, safety, and satisfaction. Investors benefit from reduced risk and improved performance. Communities become stronger.

That’s the impact AHTA aims to create. Our vision is to become the leading training destination for professionals managing affordable housing nationwide—a place where learning strengthens leadership and training drives transformation.

Join the Movement

We invite you to subscribe to the AHTA blog to stay connected to this mission. We'll be sharing insights, updates, and strategies to support the training and development of property management teams across the country.

We’re just getting started—and we’d love for you to join us.

Tony DiBlasi President, AHTA