Welcome to CLPHA's Press Room
CLPHA experts welcome interview requests from print, radio, television, and online reporters and are happy to provide their insights on issues of public housing and related legislation and policy.
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or [email protected].
*Please let us know if you are working on deadline.
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To view all of CLPHA's press statements, click here.
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Thanks again for your interest in CLPHA!
Announcing the New CLPHA.org
(WASHINGTON) January 7, 2019 - The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce the launch of our newly-redesigned website.
The new CLPHA.org showcases our member PHAs and offers industry news and updates with a bright, modern look and dynamic, user-friendly content that is easy to navigate on a desktop computer or a mobile device.
DYNAMIC: A carousel of stories and the latest news on the front page keeps the content fresh. CLPHA.org is a website to bookmark and visit regularly.
INFORMATIONAL: At the new CLPHA.org, you will find articles and information about the latest developments on Capitol Hill and from HUD, facts and updates about programs important to public and affordable housing, and news from CLPHA about our work on behalf of our members.
USER-FRIENDLY: The new CLPHA.org features sections on each of CLPHA's priorities: Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, Moving to Work, RAD, and our cross-sector initiative Housing Is. Plus, dedicated sections for Legislation & Policy, Press, News & Events, and Membership.
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is a national non-profit organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education.
Experts to Present First National Snapshot of Health Partnerships in Public Housing
Free Webinar Aug. 29, 12 PM ET
WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018) - Half of the nation’s public housing authorities (PHAs) are engaged in a resident health initiative, most with a health organization partner according to Health Starts at Home: A National Snapshot of Public Housing Authorities' Health Partnerships, the latest report released by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) and the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC). The report provides the first national snapshot of PHA efforts to address residents’ health care needs and emphasizes opportunities for collaboration between the health and housing sectors.
Report authors Steve Lucas, MPH, CLPHA Health Research and Policy Manger for the Housing Is Initiative, Keely Stater, PHD, PAHRC Director of Research and Industry Intelligence, and Kelly McElwain, PAHRC Research Analyst III, will present their analysis during a free webinar on August 29, 2018 at 12:00 PM ET.
“Housing and health systems need to work together,” said Lucas, who designed and implemented the original survey that led to the report. “Public housing authorities are significant providers of housing to those in need, offering the health sector scale and expertise. We found that PHAs across the country are engaged in a wide range of partnerships with different health organizations that address various target populations and health priorities. Though there are barriers to housing-health collaboration, such as funding and staffing capacity, these can be overcome with cross-system partnerships that seek to address these needs.”
Lucas published the initial survey findings in an issue of CityScape, a research publication of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. The article, “Connecting Fragmented Systems: Public Housing Authority Partnerships with the Health Sector,” is posted to the HUD User website.
What: Free Webinar: Building PHA Health Initiatives and Cross-Sector Partnerships
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018, 12:00 PM ET
WEBINAR RECORDING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5-jm5eF_YU&t=24s
Webinar Presenters
Steve Lucas, MPH
Health Research and Policy Manager, Housing Is Initiative,
Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Keely Stater, PhD
Director of Research and Industry Intelligence,
Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation,
HAI Group's Research Division
Kelly McElwain
Research Analyst III,
Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation,
HAI Group's Research Division
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is a national non-profit organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. CLPHA’s 70 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer 26 percent of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA.
About Housing Is
CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative helps establish, broaden, and deepen efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. We are building a future where systems work together to improve life outcomes for low-income people. Learn more at HousingIs.org and on Twitter @Housing_Is.
CLPHA Opposes Administration Proposal to Increase Rent Burden on Lowest-Income Residents
WASHINGTON (May 14, 2018) - The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) strongly opposes the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) recently announced proposal to increase rent burdens on low-income residents residing in public housing and assisted housing.
The core of HUD’s rent reform proposal is to shift the burden of chronic federal underfunding of assisted housing to low-income residents who can least afford it. While there are advantages to a proposal that simplifies rent calculations and reduces administrative burdens for public housing authorities (PHAs), this proposal requires that PHAs raise rents in order to benefit from common sense rent simplification. Even with the benefit of housing assistance, many public housing residents are already spending more than 30% of their income on rent. A 2017 HUD study reported that the average Housing Choice Voucher recipient had a rent burden of 37% in 2015. Nationally, we represent PHAs serving residents in the most expensive housing markets in the country, where voucher holders are especially likely to have to incur high rent burdens to gain access to higher opportunity neighborhoods of their choice.
Given existing rent burdens, this proposal raises serious concerns about the negative impact the proposed rent calculations would have on residents. Through changes to 35% of unadjusted income for families and 30% of unadjusted income for the elderly and disabled, many assisted households would see significant rent increases. For example, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) estimates that public housing residents would see an average 36% rent increase while Housing Choice Voucher households would experience an average 23% rent increase. With an average annual household income of $21,000 for public housing residents and $16,000 for voucher holders served by HACLA, these increases represent substantial burdens that may interfere with a household’s ability to afford other necessities.
Beyond concerns regarding the fairness of further cost-burdening residents, there is some evidence to suggest that increased rents do not financially benefit PHAs and may have the opposite effect. When the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) implemented a HUD-mandated flat rent increase in 2014, impacted residents experienced an average rent increase of 46%. NYCHA saw their rent collection rate decrease among those impacted by the increase. NYCHA’s experience reflects the reality that increased rent payments only exacerbates affordability issues and puts more residents at risk of delinquency and eviction, resulting in more challenges for PHAs and less predictable revenue.
In addition to our concerns about the impacts of the proposed rent calculations, we note that the timing of these proposed changes are problematic for two reasons. First, some components of the proposal contradict important changes to housing assistance made through the recent federally enacted Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) in 2016 by unanimous vote of the House and Senate. HUD has yet to publish implementation regulations for some of the key provisions in the bill. For example, HOTMA increased the deduction of medical expenses for elderly and disabled families and tied the deduction to inflation, while HUD’s proposal eliminates these deductions entirely. A significant number of elderly and disabled households currently use medical deductions, many of whom have substantial medical costs. We question the elimination of this deduction particularly when it is already undergoing a very different set of changes through congressionally-mandated HOTMA.
We also question the timing of these proposed changes given the fact that in 2012, HUD commissioned a four-site demonstration from MDRC to study several rent reform elements included in the proposal, including triennial recertification, elimination of income deductions, and ignorable asset limits. One of the research questions the demonstration is explicitly testing is whether these reforms reduce work disincentives and increase family self-sufficiency among families receiving vouchers. With results expected in 2019, HUD should use insights from the study to inform design of a rent reform model that most effectively promotes self-sufficiency.
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
CLPHA, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit organization working to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. It represents most of the nation’s largest public housing authorities.
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(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
May 11, 2021 |
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(Washington, D.C.) May 11, 2021 – CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement supporting the New York City Housing Authority’s call to double the public housing infrastructure investment proposed in the American Jobs Plan to $80 billion:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities urges the Senate Majority Leader to stand firm on his call to double the public housing infrastructure investment in the American Jobs Plan to $80 billion in his meeting today with President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and GOP leadership.
“The New York City Housing Authority deserves its fair share of Senator Schumer’s request since it serves nearly double the amount of residents than any other housing authority, and its housing portfolio is among the oldest in the nation. Decades of chronic disinvestment has driven its unmet capital repairs alone to $40 billion. The $80 billion request enjoys critical support from Congresswoman Nydia Valezquez (D-NY) and the NYC-area Congressional delegation. This investment would also be a significant step to addressing racial inequity, a key priority of the Biden administration.
“As the American Jobs Plan moves through the legislative process, political leaders must guarantee that housing will remain in the infrastructure bill and that the commitment to recapitalize public housing infrastructure be doubled to $80 billion so that the needs of NYCHA and public housing portfolios across the nation are adequately met.”
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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April 28, 2021
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(Washington, D.C.) April 28, 2021 – CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement in response to President's Biden's joint address to Congress tonight to mark his first 100 days in office:
"President Biden’s commitment to investing in our nation’s future through the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan, which was released tonight, has the potential to lift the lives of more than 2 million families living in our nation’s public and affordable housing. The American Jobs Plan improves the lives of public housing residents through a $40 billion commitment to retrofit and rebuild public housing properties to 21st century codes and standards.
"The American Families Plan improves the lives of public housing residents by expanding access to quality pre-school, direct support to children and families through child care, and investing of the childcare workforce, of which many public housing residents are employed. Because public housing residents are often employed in low-wage positions that do not offer paid leave they will be among the many beneficiaries of the national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program in the Families Plan.
"Public housing has always been about more than buildings. It is about the hopes and dreams of millions of Americans. The combination of the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan is a powerful offer to make those dreams a reality."
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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April 22, 2021
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
In this December 27, 2018 article by Bruce Japsen for Forbes.com, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman discusses the importance of cross-sector collaborations between housing and health care to improve life outcomes for low-income families and seniors.
“We’re housers with expertise in the management and operation of affordable housing for low-income families and seniors, but we are not experts in the complexities of health care service delivery,” Zaterman said. “That’s why nearly all of the public housing authorities we surveyed work with a partner to provide health services. Most would do more if they had the funding and resources to commit to their health partnerships.”
Anthony Scott, CEO of Durham Housing Authority (left) and A. Fulton Meachem, President & CEO of Charlotte Housing Authority (right) in Durham, NC.
CLPHA is pleased to see that our members are visiting each other’s communities to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices for preserving and strengthening their public housing portfolios and resident services.
In August, the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) hosted the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and Durham city officials on a bus tour of Charlotte public housing properties. The Durham delegation also met with CHA staff, board members, and residents to discuss how Charlotte is transforming its housing portfolio and resident services through entrepreneurial efforts in real estate development, bond programs, property management, and family self-sufficiency programs. You can watch a video slideshow of the Charlotte & Durham meeting here.
In October, residents, staff, and board members from the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) traveled to Cambridge, MA to meet with Cambridge Housing Authority staff and tour public housing communities. MPHA learned from Cambridge about their ongoing, comprehensive public housing transformation financed through the RAD program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and other funding tools. In a post-trip recap, MPHA said their residents expressed the importance of seeing and hearing for themselves that these programs did not result in displacement. In fact, said MPHA, “CHA residents were often able to simply move units and continue living in their building even as the work proceeded around them.” You can watch a video about MPHA’s trip to Cambridge here.
Representatives from the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority on a bus tour of Cambridge Housing Authority properties.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP)will redevelop the vacant Larimer School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, into 35 affordable housing units. This project is part of HACP’s larger Larimer/East Liberty Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment plan.
The Otto Bremer Trust awarded a $100,000 grant and a $500,000 low-interest loan to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA). MPHA will use the loan to support housing authority operations for its 6,000 public housing units and will use the grant to fund construction of the 16-unit Minnehaha Townhomes, slated to open in 2019.
We are pleased to announce that the Newark Housing Authority has become a member of CLPHA!
The Newark Housing Authority provides rental assistance to over 15,000 households in Newark, NJ. Leonard Spicer serves as the agency's Executive Director. Learn more at newarkha.org.
Please join us in welcoming NHA to CLPHA – we look forward to working together to improve life outcomes for families served by PHAs!
From the Indianapolis Housing Agency's press release:
Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Indianapolis announced the appointment of Yvonda A. Bean (pronounced E-vonda) as Indianapolis Housing Agency’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, February 17, 2025.
"In HUD’s role overseeing the Indianapolis Housing Agency, we are encouraged by the appointment of Yvonda A. Bean as its new CEO,” said Felicia Gaither, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, Office of Public and Indian Housing at HUD. “Ms. Bean’s proven ability to lead agencies through challenges and achieve operational excellence will be vital as we work to recover this agency. We are confident her leadership will strengthen the agency’s mission to provide safe, quality, and affordable housing for Indianapolis residents.”
Ms. Bean brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership to IHA. She joins from Columbia, SC, where she currently serves as CEO of Columbia Housing and Cayce Housing, as well as president of nonprofit affiliates SC Affordable Housing Initiatives (SCAHI) and Columbia Housing & Development (CHAD).
“I am pleased that Yvonda A. Bean will be serving as Indianapolis Housing Agency’s CEO,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “I look forward to seeing the ways in which her expertise from serving more than two decades in public housing, including the recovery of two troubled housing agencies, will now be utilized to support the residents of IHA.”
With 25 years of progressive experience in executive leadership within the affordable housing industry, Ms. Bean has built a distinguished career marked by a resident-focused, HUD-compliant approach and a strong record of operational excellence.
During her tenure at Columbia Housing, Ms. Bean spearheaded transformational change, including:
- Realizing over $100 million in new construction development projects.
- Earning a high performer designation for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
- Completing the agency’s first Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion.
- Establishing an employee apprenticeship program to foster career advancement.
- Partnering with a local community college to provide public housing residents with free tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Before leading Columbia Housing, Ms. Bean served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette, Louisiana. Under her guidance, the agency overcame HUD supervision and achieved significant growth, operational stability, and financial health.
Ms. Bean is also deeply involved in advancing the affordable housing sector through her extensive board and committee work. She serves on the Board of Governors for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and is the Vice Chair of NAHRO’s Legislative Network Advisory Committee. She also chairs the Legislative Committee for the Southeastern Regional Council of NAHRO and holds leadership roles on multiple other housing and community development boards. Ms. Bean’s contributions to the industry have been recognized with prestigious honors, including NAHRO’s 2023 Professional of the Year award and the 2024 Advocate of the Year award.
Ms. Bean holds a Master’s degree in Counseling & Psychology from Troy State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Augusta State University, and several nationally recognized certifications in affordable housing.
Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Bean shared:
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected to serve as IHA’s new CEO. The organization’s mission aligns deeply with my values and passion for creating equitable housing and economic opportunities for marginalized communities. My work has been rooted in the belief that housing is a right and not a privilege—EVERYONE deserves access to safe, affordable housing. I am thrilled to join IHA and look forward to collaborating with HUD, the City, the Board, the IHA team, residents, and community partners to contribute to IHA’s impactful work.”
From KXAN News Austin:
The U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development’s acting secretary, Adrianne Todman, visited the build site of an Austin affordable housing project Wednesday morning.
The Prospect Heights project is a redevelopment of the former Rosewood Courts, one of the nation’s oldest public housing sites. The development is under the direction of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) and the Austin Habitat for Humanity.
Todman’s remarks honored the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter.
“When people talk about housing, it’s sometimes this very abstract thing,” she said. “But what [Carter] did…for decades, he was out there with a hammer and a toolkit, pounding nails, making sure that people saw him as a former president, lifting up something that’s so important to all of us, and that is access to partnership and access to housing.”
Following the speeches, Todman, Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown participated in the raising of wall frame sections.
“Austin is one of the rare, rare cities across the country that have built so much houses that we’ve been able to see rents just modulate and go down. That’s tremendous,” Todman said. “A lot of other places that are trying to do that have not done it, but Austin is a shining light of an example of what can be done.”
Read KXAN News Austin's article "HUD Secretary tours Rosewood Courts redevelopment project."
From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:
The holidays are in full swing across public housing communities. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) launched its 2024 Holiday Toy Giveaway series for children aged 0-12 and families at all 14 public housing sites. This annual initiative, made possible through the strong partnership between HACLA, partners, and residents, led to the distribution of over 6,000 toys.
“The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving back to our community,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, HACLA President and CEO. “Our annual toy giveaways are a testament to HACLA’s commitment to bringing joy to our youngest residents while fostering a sense of community. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and hard work of our resident leaders, our staff, and supportive partners who go above and beyond to ensure families across our public housing sites feel cared about during this special time of year.”
The toy giveaways brought holiday joy to nearly 6,000 families across HACLA’s public housing sites, with special highlights at Pueblo del Rio, Ramona Gardens, Jordan Downs, and Nickerson Gardens. At Pueblo del Rio, the Community Safety Partnership Bureau (CSP) created a winter wonderland by bringing snow for residents to enjoy. At Ramona Gardens, the event featured a treat station and a photo area with Santa Claus, while Boys and Girls Club volunteers helped manage the toy giveaway. Over at Jordan Downs, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta volunteers spread holiday cheer as they escorted children to select their toys. These events showcased the strong community spirit across HACLA’s public housing sites.
“These events are about more than just gifts; they’re about creating lasting memories and a sense of belonging for our communities. We are proud to stand alongside HACLA and community partners to bring holiday magic to our neighborhoods,” stated Joel Lopez, CSP Assistant Commanding Officer.
JR Dzubak, CEO of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside Boys and Girls Club, added, “On December 10th, the spirit of giving will shine brighter than ever as we join forces with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and West San Gabriel Valley Boys & Girls Club to spread joy and hope. This toy giveaway is more than just a holiday tradition—it's a reminder of the power of community, where every gift given is a symbol of our collective care and commitment to uplifting our neighbors.”
“The “Toys for Watts” event is hosted by the Theta Alpha Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity inc. This event started in 2003. We have over 50 volunteers from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Our fraternity’s motto is culture for service and service for humanity and “Toys for Watts” is a great opportunity to share this effort. Our fraternity’s principles are brotherhood, scholarship, and service so we love serving the kids in Jordan Downs. Many of our fraternity members lived in Watts and Jordan, so this has special meaning in supporting communities of our own. We reach out to community members, friend, and family to support these kids," said Chris Manigault, Giveaway Project Coordinator and former Phi Beta Sigma chapter president.
As part of the series, HACLA also collaborated with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) for their annual Holiday Charity Concert and Toy Giveaway at Nickerson Gardens. The two-day event featured performances by TDE artists and special guests, with concert entry granted in exchange for donations of unwrapped toys, new clothes, or other items. The concert is followed by a community event the next day, offering activities such as a toy giveaway, carnival attractions, and a family holiday photo opportunity.
“Partnering with HACLA to create TDE Christmas has been nothing short of incredible. This initiative has brought both joy and profound impact, funneling tens of millions into Nickerson Gardens and Watts while inspiring hope and unity. It’s an honor to be part of something so transformative,” said Brandon “Big B” Tiffith, TDE Chief Marketing Officer.
These efforts were also made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners including Veritas, California Office of Traffic Safety, Legacy LA, Alma Services, Soledad Enrichment Action, South LA All In, Al Barro Foundation, Mama’s Del Sur Centro, Start Here, Urbano Strategies, Zapatos, and other local organizations.
From the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee's press release:
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) Board of Commissioners has appointed Kenneth Barbeau as Interim Secretary-Executive Director, effective January 2, 2025. This decision follows the retirement announcement of HACM’s current Secretary-Executive Director, Willie L. Hines, Jr., effective January 1, 2025.
Barbeau has been with HACM since 1999, serving most recently as HACM’s Chief Operating Officer of Program Services. In this role, Barbeau oversees a broad portfolio of public housing resident services, including programs focused on employment, education, healthcare, senior and disabled services, financial literacy, and more. He also provides oversight for HACM’s Section 8 program, public safety department, and public housing wait list and screening functions.
In addition to Barbeau’s appointment, HACM announces the resignation of Deputy Director Fernando Aniban, effective February 21, 2025. Aniban has been with HACM since 2009, initially serving as Chief Financial Officer before being named Assistant Secretary - Deputy Director in May 2022.
“As commissioners, we are steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, affordable housing and enhancing the quality of life for our residents across the City of Milwaukee,” said Charlotte Hayslett, Chair of the HACM Board of Commissioners. “That includes ensuring a smooth transition of leadership as we search for a new Secretary-Executive Director.”
Chairwoman Hayslett also acknowledged the Board’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. “We are actively addressing significant challenges within HACM and are committed to providing regular updates to the public and stakeholders. Our focus remains on improving efficiency, enhancing communication, and fostering a supportive environment for our dedicated staff.”
The Secretary-Executive Director is responsible for HACM’s operations and reports to the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Hayslett and Commissioner Karen Gotzler (who serves as vice-chair) joined the commission last month (November). HACM Resident Commissioner Jackie Burrell, and Alderwoman Sharlen Moore joined the commission this month (December). Commissioner Irma Yépez-Klassen has served as a commissioner since August 2022.