The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP), Texas was created in February 1938 by statute. HACEP's mission is to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for assisted families at or below 80 percent of median income.  Over the past 75 years, HACEP has become the second-largest housing authority in Texas and is the 20th largest housing authority in the United States with an annual operating budget of $77 million.

Alamito is the first and oldest HACEP community which was built from 1938-1940. Located at 508 South Virginia in "Segundo Barrio," Alamito is composed of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments totaling 349 units, all of which are being rebuilt on a one-for-one basis through a $55 million revitalization funded in part by a $20 million HOPE VI grant.  HACEP celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2013 and currently owns and operates 6,00 public housing units in 46 communities, provides rent subsidies for 5,300 families through the Section 8 rental assistance program, 495 Section 8 New Construction units, 495 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units and 438 Non-Subsidized apartment units. In sum, HACEP helps 40,000 El Pasoans through its portfolio of efficient and effective housing programs.

One of the hallmarks of HACEP is that it offers residents a hand up rather than just a hand out. The Community Services staff motivates and encourages HACEP residents to improve their social, educational and economic opportunities on their way to self-sufficiency and economic independence. A number of grant-funded programs offer opportunities for residents to attain a GED or higher education, secure gainful employment, improve their credit scores and even buy a home of their own! This is only possible with a dedicated team of compassionate professionals who individually work with each program participant for months and even years.

In the past decade, HACEP has been recognized numerous times by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a High Performer in both Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Programs according to the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) by receiving ratings of 90-100 percent.

The Housing Authority has also been recognized by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) with dozens of Awards of Merit over the past dozen years and one Award of Excellence.

Currently HACEP has a workforce of 450 full-time and 33 part-time employees.