CLPHA Press Room

From New York City Mayor Eric Adams' press release:

Following a national search, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Jamie Rubin as chair of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) board and elevated Lisa Bova-Hiatt to be permanent CEO of the Authority. Rubin comes to NYCHA with three decades of experience in government, nonprofits, and the private sector, including leading the New York State Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and President Barack Obama's Hurricane Sandy Recovery and Rebuilding Task Force. He will oversee the seven-member board that advises and votes on contracts, rules, regulations, and other administrative matters. Bova-Hiatt permanently assumes the role of CEO running day-to-day operations after nearly a year in the role on an interim basis and more than 25 years in the public sector, including at the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery and The City University of New York (CUNY). Rubin and Bova-Hiatt's appointments are the result of an extensive national search conducted by New York City, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Mayor Adams, HUD, and SDNY will continue working together on improving NYCHA and on further reforms under the 2019 federal agreement. The roles of chair and CEO were bifurcated last year in line with the planned restructuring outlined in NYCHA's Transformation Plan – changes that were adopted by the NYCHA board on June 15, 2022.

Mayor Adams also appointed First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and experienced financial professional Greg Belinfanti to the NYCHA board and Pamela Campbell to the newly established board of the Public Housing Preservation Trust, filling a role designated for a nominee from a labor union representing NYCHA employees. These appointments follow two previous NYCHA board appointments in January 2023 and the creation of the Trust board with the appointment of six members, including two NYCHA residents. With her expanded portfolio, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer will also join the Trust board as an ex officio member, in line with the state law that outlines the board's makeup. The first board meeting will take place on Friday, July 7.

"We have been clear since day one that NYCHA residents deserve the same quality of life as every New Yorker, and this administration has embraced the responsibility and the opportunity to deliver that," said Mayor Adams. "Lisa Bova-Hiatt has proven that she has what it takes to run this city-within-a-city, and Jamie Rubin brings the wide-ranging experience and critical skills to guide NYCHA's rejuvenation. With the leadership of Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer and the additions of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Greg Belinfanti, and Pamela Campbell to the NYCHA and Public Housing Preservation Trust boards, I am certain that NYCHA is better positioned than ever to face this challenge and provide residents with the safe, high-quality, affordable homes they deserve."

"From day one, NYCHA has a been a priority of the Adams administration and, for the first time in city history, was included as a priority of a mayoral administration's comprehensive housing plan," said First Deputy Mayor Wright. "All New Yorkers deserve quality affordable housing, access to opportunities, and the path for economic mobility. I look forward to working alongside the NYCHA board and to being of service to the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who call NYCHA home."

"NYCHA represents one of this administration's most important avenues to secure affordable housing for the working people of this city. Today's appointments add critical leadership and fortify NYCHA's dedication to maintaining public housing for future generations," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Torres-Springer. "Today's appointments of Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Jamie Rubin, Greg Belinfanti, Pamela Campbell, and our very own First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright send a clear message that this administration is laser-focused on preserving and revitalizing public housing across our city. I am thrilled to continue working with CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt and her team in centering residents and bolstering opportunity across the entire NYCHA community."

"It's an honor to serve as the chair of NYCHA's board and to step into this role at such a pivotal time for the Authority," said NYCHA Chair Rubin. "Mayor Adams has made it clear that he is committed to making public housing the centerpiece of his housing plans. Lisa Bova-Hiatt and her team have made tremendous progress already, and I am looking forward to working with her and the entire NYCHA community."

"Every day, I am honored to serve in this capacity and to have the opportunity to lead the Authority's efforts to maintain and preserve public housing for the hundreds of thousands of residents living in NYCHA developments across the five boroughs," said NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt. "As a lifelong New Yorker and a career public servant, I understand the importance of affordable housing in New York City – and I remain committed to maintaining the momentum of NYCHA's continued transformation. I thank Mayor Adams for this appointment."

Read Mayor Adams' press release.

Earlier this year, INLIVIAN received a $300,000 grant from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the aim of assisting families in obtaining affordable broadband internet access essential for work, education, healthcare, and various other needs. In July 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris visited the INLIVIAN Carole Hoefener Center to introduce the Affordable Connectivity Program. Today, families have the opportunity to thrive and excel with this remarkable initiative. Learn more about Vice President Harris's visit and INLIVIAN's work to advance digital equity via INLIVIAN's video below.

From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's press release:

 At an event today at the newly-opened Thrive residential complex in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood, Kelly Watkins of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 office joined Denver Mayor Michael Hancock; Denver Housing Authority CEO David Nisivoccia; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Regional Administrator, Erik Amundson; Denver City Council President, Jamie Torres; and Sun Valley resident, Craig Allen to announce a $1,049,300 Brownfields cleanup grant to the Denver Housing Authority (DHA).

The grant, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be used to clean up the eight-acre Former Zuni Tank Farm at 2514 West 13th Avenue and 2501 West 11th Avenue in Denver.   DHA will oversee the redevelopment of the site into new, energy-efficient affordable housing units and a riverfront park expanding the greenway and connecting the neighborhood to the river. The park will feature environmental education, a water-feature play area, cafes, play fields and courts and multi-use trails.

“EPA continues to support city and community leaders as they work to revitalize the Sun Valley neighborhood,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “This cleanup grant will address contamination at a critical property along the South Platte River, improving green infrastructure and water quality and providing opportunities for new housing and recreational amenities.”  

The Zuni Tank Farm is a prominent property in Sun Valley near Invesco Field and the South Platte River. Former uses of the site include a scrap metal warehouse, landfill, coal-fired power plant, aboveground storage tanks and detention ponds. Soil sampling identified the presence of benzo[a]pyrene and other polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Heavy metals, asbestos, lead and other inorganic contaminants have also been found in buildings and storage tanks on the site.

“Denver Housing Authority is thrilled to have been selected as an EPA Brownfields Grant recipient,” said David Nisivoccia, Chief Executive Officer of Denver Housing Authority. “Utilizing the grant funds, this site will be cleaned to residential standards and a portion of the land will be converted into a future park that borders the South Platte River. The project property is adjacent to our newest housing developments, GreenHaus and Thrive, which just completed construction, are leasing now and will serve 264 family households, in addition to the 187 families being served by the Gateway Apartments.” 

As new families move into the Sun Valley community, economic benefits of affordability, new jobs, increased tax revenues and more consumer spending will continue to bring new life to the target area and surrounding businesses. 

The City and County of Denver charged DHA with implementing the Sun Valley Neighborhood Transformation Plan. DHA created Sun Valley Zuni, LLC, to assume site ownership and cleanup at the tank farm property.

EPA’s award for the Sun Valley project is among eight Brownfields grants totaling more than $5 million announced this month for cleanup and revitalization projects in communities across Colorado. Other grantees are receiving funds for projects in Brighton, Buena Vista, Pueblo, Silverton, San Luis, San Miguel County and Trinidad. 

Background 

Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields Program is helping more communities than ever begin to address the economic, social and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.  

EPA’s Brownfields Program also advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Approximately 84% of the MARC program applications selected to receive funding proposed to work in areas that include historically underserved communities. 

EPA’s Brownfields Program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.37 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. EPA’s investments in addressing brownfield sites have leveraged more than $36 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Communities that previously received Brownfields Grants used these resources to fund assessments and cleanups of brownfields, and successfully leverage an average of 10.6 jobs per $100,000 of grant funds spent and $19.78 for every dollar. 

More on Brownfields Grants.  

More on EPA’s Brownfields Program. 

From the Houston Housing Authority's press release:

The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) is unveiling their new, first-of-its-kind Training Center, representing a major milestone in advancing the affordable housing industry. In partnership with Nan McKay (NMA), a leading organization known for delivering innovative solutions for communities nationwide, HHA will provide comprehensive training courses for housing authorities, property management companies, and municipalities here locally and across the country.

The unveiling of our Training Center marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide effective and innovative housing solutions," said HHA President and CEO David A. Northern, Sr. "Through our partnership with NMA, we aim to equip housing professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to better serve vulnerable populations and drive positive change in communities across the nation."

The Training Center is expected to make a significant impact on the affordable housing industry. By providing housing authorities, property management companies, and municipalities with comprehensive training courses, HHA and NMA will enhance the effectiveness, strategic planning, and compliance-focused approaches to housing solutions. Ultimately, this will positively impact families nationwide, ensuring they have access to safe, affordable housing options.

"While the Training Center is Houston-centric, our vision extends far beyond our local community," added Northern. "Through virtual training courses, we aim to reach housing authorities nationwide, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among professionals in the affordable housing industry across the country."

From the Cambridge Housing Authority's website:

A vibrant crowd of almost 200 attendees assembled for the ribbon cutting event, commemorating the revitalization of the Daniel F. Burns Apartments following an extensive three-year modernization project. The program unfolded with inspiring remarks, the prestigious presentation of a Community Spirit Award to a resident, a captivating exhibit of resident portraits, unit tours, and, finally, the ceremonious cutting of the ribbon, symbolizing a new era for the property and its community.

Construction on the 198 units at Burns Apartments started in February 2020, just weeks before the widespread shutdown and isolation measures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As with Millers River Apartments in East Cambridge, every building system was replaced or upgraded, and a new air conditioning system has been installed at Burns. The building is now insulated and cladded with a cementitious panel. Enhanced and expanded community spaces were constructed, including a new second floor outdoor deck. In addition, eight new handicapped accessible units were constructed as a part of the revitalization effort.

Community Spirit Award recipient, Phil Anderson, is a true community spirit and deserving winner of the recognition presented to him by CHA Director of Operations, Kevin Braga. With 14 years of residency at Burns Apartments, Phil’s commitment to the building and its tenants is unwavering. As a former member of the tenant council and a Veteran, he brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the community. Phil’s background in construction management made him an invaluable asset during the building’s renovation, where he actively participated and shared his expertise. Known for his patience and kindness, Phil treats everyone he meets with respect. He fearlessly advocates for necessary improvements, always expressing his concerns in a compassionate manner.

Following the program, the CHA treated building residents to a hot meal and a raffle featuring several prizes as a special thank you for their patience during construction and to continue the celebration of their upgraded living community.