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.
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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or [email protected].
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Community Collaborative Programs Work to Improve Health Outcomes for CLPHA Housing Authority Members in Durham, Louisville and Norfolk, among Others
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(Washington, D.C.) May 8, 2026 – Housing Is, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging gaps among the housing, health and education sectors to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families, and UnitedHealthcare announced today an expansion of their national collaboration to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in public housing. The expansion includes launching three additional Community Collaborative programs at Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) member housing authorities: Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (Norfolk, VA), Durham Housing Authority (Durham, NC) and Louisville Metro Housing Authority (Louisville, KY). The new locations were announced at the 2026 Housing Is Summit, the preeminent event dedicated to collaboration among the housing, education and health sectors, in Washington, D.C. Together, the organizations support public housing authorities in establishing Community Collaborative programs at the local level while providing national infrastructure to support community and systems-level advancement. The Community Collaborative programs bring together cross-sector organizations to co-develop, evaluate and sustain interventions to address community health needs. CLPHA, which founded Housing Is and operates the organization under a management agreement, and Housing Is have worked with UnitedHealthcare to foster relationships with public housing authorities (PHAs), federally qualified health centers and community-based organizations to improve the health and well-being of PHA residents and their surrounding communities. Since the collaboration between Housing Is, CLPHA, and UnitedHealthcare was established in 2020, ten PHA members of CLPHA have participated in the program, including Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Atlanta Housing, Housing Authority of the City of Austin, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, Detroit Housing Commission, Houston Housing Authority, King County Housing Authority, Memphis Housing Authority, Housing Authority of New Orleans and Seattle Housing Authority. The Community Collaborative programs in these locations have addressed a wide range of health and social needs from chronic disease and food insecurity to mental health and digital literacy. “Helping low-income residents improve their health outcomes is central to the missions of CLPHA’s housing authority members, and the collaborative programming greatly supports our members’ efforts to address the most pressing health needs in their neighborhoods,” said La Shelle Dozier, CEO of CLPHA. “UnitedHealthcare has long been a critical partner to CLPHA and Housing Is, and the addition of three new sites in Durham, Louisville and Norfolk builds on many successful years of collaboration. We are honored to continue our groundbreaking work with UnitedHealthcare.” This work reflects UnitedHealthcare’s broader commitment to investing in communities to help the healthcare system work better for individuals nationwide. Through its Community Collaborative program, UnitedHealthcare has established more than 40 local programs across 26 states. “By working jointly with Housing Is, we’ve opened new channels for honest, meaningful dialogue to truly understand and address the unique needs of the communities we serve,” said Mike Cotton, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State. “When UnitedHealthcare comes together with community members, government agencies, providers and nonprofits, we’re all better able to deliver the right resources and interventions to those who need them most. These types of collaborations are how we make the health system work better for everyone.” "Housing Is has long known that data and resident input are crucial to creating, sustaining and scaling successful health interventions, and our longstanding collaboration with UnitedHealthcare helps PHAs to implement health programming in their communities that is driven by this information,” said Abra Lyons-Warren, director of Housing Is. “With this collaborative expansion into Durham, Louisville and Norfolk, we will have much more data about what health interventions low-income PHA residents in these cities need. Housing Is expresses our gratitude to UnitedHealthcare for continuing and growing this collaboration that meets low-income individuals where they live with opportunities to improve their own health outcomes.” In September 2025, Housing Is and CLPHA released a request for applications for new Community Collaborative Programs for the first time to eligible PHAs in the CLPHA membership. UnitedHealthcare, Housing Is and CLPHA staff evaluated each proposal and selected:
Media Contact: (202) 550-1381
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About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with physicians, care professionals, hospitals and other care facilities. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow UnitedHealthcare on LinkedIn. For more information on how UnitedHealthcare is working to build healthier communities, visit uhccs.com.
About Housing Is Housing Is helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; Housing Is is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on LinkedIn.
About CLPHA 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 85 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on LinkedIn.
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Grant to Support Housing Is Will Be Used to Address Homelessness for Infants, Toddlers, Expectant Parents, and Their Families
(Washington, D.C.) November 6, 2025 – Housing Is, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging gaps among the housing, health and education sectors to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families, announced today that the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) has awarded the organization $600,000.
“Housing Is is honored to receive this grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative. The support of our operations enables us to continue our partnership with Prevent Child Abuse America, ZERO TO THREE, and SchoolHouse Connection on our shared goal of addressing homelessness for infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, president of the Housing Is board of directors. “Public housing authorities and other affordable housing providers are committed to addressing homelessness in their communities, especially for infants, children, and families, and we know the value of cross-sector partners in these efforts. We at Housing Is are thankful that PCI believes in our work and that they will continue to support us in our critical mission to build a future where all people can thrive from the start of their lives.”
Housing Is will use funds from PCI to help further its work with a network of organizations, including Prevent Child Abuse America, ZERO TO THREE, and long-time partner SchoolHouse Connection, on Thrive from the Start. Thrive from the Start is an initiative dedicated to ensuring all expectant parents, infants, toddlers, and their families have the resources and opportunities to thrive. This coordinated multi-sector effort helps national, state, and local partners and networks to build stronger systems of support for families experiencing homelessness and housing instability during pregnancy and in the first three years of life.
Each year, more than 364,000 infants and toddlers experience homelessness in the U.S., and nearly 70,000 babies are born to parents who experienced homelessness during pregnancy. Homelessness during pregnancy or in the first three years of a child’s life has lifelong consequences on physical health and mental well-being. These years are foundational to development, and trauma—including homelessness—can disrupt this growth, leading to long-lasting effects. Homelessness is preventable, and stakeholders must take action to address it. Homelessness in early childhood—recognized as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)—can lead to developmental delays, physical and mental health issues, and lasting effects on well-being. If partners act early—before families reach a crisis point—they can prevent and solve homelessness and mitigate the resulting impact on the developing child.
“We deeply appreciate PCI’s deep commitment to our work,” said Abra Lyons-Warren, director of Housing Is. “For over a decade, Housing Is has been driven by the premise that systems that serve low-income individuals are stronger and more effective when they work together. We are able to extend this commitment and continued to work with a network of partners across issue areas who are aligned by our mutual devotion to ensuring that infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families have access to safe and stable housing opportunities.”
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About Housing Is
Housing Is helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; Housing Is is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on LinkedIn.
Dozier Brings More Than 30 Years of Affordable Housing Leadership to New Role
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“Replacing a leader as well-respected as Sunia was no easy task, however, we were fortunate to have found the perfect candidate in La Shelle,” said CLPHA Board President and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO Jeffery K. Patterson. “La Shelle offers an unparalleled skill set to her new role, including leading a housing and redevelopment agency, advocating for public policies at the local, state, and federal levels, and driving innovations in public housing preservation and affordable housing development. She is the right person to lead CLPHA into a future filled with opportunities to impact the greater affordable housing community.” Dozier brings more than 30 years of experience in the public and affordable housing industry. Prior to joining CLPHA, Dozier served as executive director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency for 18 years. She also served as the vice president of CLPHA’s Board of Directors and as co-chair of the 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability, a broad-based coalition of stakeholders that will be producing a rigorous capital needs estimate for recapitalizing public housing and recommending financial tools to preserve the public housing portfolio for the next generation. “It is an honor to lead the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities at this critical moment,” said Dozier. “Sunia has built one of the most significant advocacy organizations for public housing in Washington, D.C. It is my goal to build on her accomplishments to ensure that public and affordable housing remains at the center of solving the nation’s affordable housing crisis and ensuring CLPHA’s members have the resources and tools to serve our nation’s most vulnerable families.” “I couldn’t leave CLPHA in better hands than La Shelle’s,” said Zaterman. “Her experience as a senior leader in public housing combined with her wisdom and passion for advancing the mission of CLPHA’s public housing members makes her the best candidate to lead CLPHA into its next chapter.” |
(Washington, D.C.) September 26, 2025 — The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), a national non-profit that advocates for the resources and policies to preserve and improve public and affordable housing in the United States, announced today the appointment of La Shelle Dozier as Chief Executive Officer. Dozier will be succeeding Executive Director Sunia Zaterman, who is stepping down after more than 30 years of service to CLPHA and the public housing industry. Dozier will be joining the CLPHA team on November 3, 2025, and will begin the transition process throughout the remainder of 2025. This selection was made after a nationwide search led by Sally M. Sterling Executive Search. |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
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Applauds Removal of Burdensome MTW Provisions
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Washington, D.C., May 18, 2026 — La Shelle Dozier, CEO of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), released the following statement in support of the revised bipartisan House housing package, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act: "CLPHA supports passage of the revised 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and commends Chair French Hill and Ranking Member Maxine Waters for their bipartisan work to advance meaningful housing legislation. We encourage House leadership to bring the bill to the floor promptly and urge the Senate to act swiftly to send a final package to the President. The amended House bill reflects important improvements that directly benefit the public housing authorities (PHAs) and the low-income families our members serve. Most notably, the removal of the Senate's problematic Moving to Work provisions is a significant win. Those provisions would have imposed burdensome and infeasible reporting requirements on existing MTW agencies and proposed an expansion cohort with limited flexibilities that would have undermined agencies' abilities to respond to local housing needs. Their removal reflects the legitimate concerns CLPHA and our members raised throughout this process. We are also encouraged by the inclusion of meaningful National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) streamlining reforms, which will reduce regulatory barriers to housing development and preservation, which is a priority for large PHAs working to expand and modernize their housing stock. The urgency of this legislation cannot be overstated. The 10 Year Roadmap for Public Housing Sustainability recently estimated that the baseline cost to preserve the nation's public housing portfolio stands at $169.1 billion, which reflects decades of chronic federal disinvestment and an aging public housing stock that continues to deteriorate. The NEPA reforms and other provisions in this bill that reduce barriers to development and preservation are exactly the kind of solutions our members need to begin making meaningful progress against this crisis. This bill is an important step in the right direction. We recognize that no piece of legislation is perfect. The removal of the provision to eliminate the RAD program cap is a setback, and we hope a conference process will create an opportunity to restore this important provision. We will also continue to closely monitor remaining provisions, including the HUD study on work requirements under Section 803. Even so, this bill represents meaningful bipartisan progress toward addressing the nation's housing affordability and supply crisis. Congress should move quickly to pass this legislation and build on the momentum it creates for the communities and families that need it most." |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Media Contact: Kirsten Greenwell, CLPHA (202) 638-1300 |
(Washington, D.C.) January 29, 2026 – Abra Lyons-Warren, director of Housing Is, released the following statement celebrating today’s new research findings from Opportunity Insights which demonstrate that children who grew up from birth in revitalized public housing units earn about 50% more as adults:
“Housing Is applauds Opportunity Insights for contributing this research that will guide and inform the many sectors that serve low-income individuals, from housing to healthcare, education, and beyond.
“Housing stability is critical for babies and children to get the best start in life, and this groundbreaking research that children who grew up from birth in revitalized public housing units earn about 50% more as adults shows that investing in place-based solutions improves not only their development, but also their life outcomes. When we invest in housing, we invest in people, and that investment pays huge dividends in the adult lives of babies and children from low-income families through increased financial security and economic mobility.
“This research supports what public housing authorities and their partners have long known: that housing stability improves the life outcomes of their youngest and most vulnerable residents. Lawmakers must utilize these learnings to support more cross-sector and place-based solutions, including investments in public housing revitalization, that ensure individuals avoid homelessness in their infancy and childhood and access greater economic opportunities.”
Media Contact:
David Greer, CLPHA
[email protected], (202) 550-1381
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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 85 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org.
(Washington, D.C.) January 29, 2026 – La Shelle Dozier, CEO of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA),released the following statement praising today’s new research findings from Opportunity Insights which demonstrate that children who grew up from birth in revitalized public housing units earn about 50% more as adults:
"The research released today by Raj Chetty and his team at Opportunity Insights provides irrefutable evidence that revitalized public housing is a powerful engine for economic mobility. By demonstrating that children raised in HOPE VI properties see significantly increased adult salaries, this study proves that smart, place-based housing policy is one of the most effective fiscal tools we have for breaking the cycle of poverty.
"These findings come at a critical moment. As Congress deliberates on the 2026 federal government funding bill, we are confronted with the reality that current funding levels do not meet the needs of the millions of families who qualify for assistance but remain on years-long waiting lists. Unfortunately, programs like the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative—the successor to HOPE VI—have faced recent budget pressures despite their proven track record of transforming high-poverty areas into vibrant, mixed-income communities.
"Investing in public housing brings untold dividends. It creates stronger neighborhoods, lessens the strain on the social safety net, and prepares the next generation to be productive contributors to our nation. We urge our Congress to consider these findings as a call for bold reinvestment and preservation of public housing. Ensuring every child has access to a stable, high-opportunity home is not only a moral decision, but also the smartest, most cost-effective investment we can make in our nation's future."
Media Contact:
David Greer, CLPHA
[email protected], (202) 550-1381
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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 85 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org.
From Vox:
In the last issue of this newsletter, I wrote about what went wrong with public housing in the United States — how it didn’t necessarily fail, but was routinely sabotaged because of bad policy choices that contributed to neglect and mismanagement. So this week, I want to look at what successful public housing can look like.
Oftentimes, when looking for models to emulate, many Americans look abroad for answers — Austria, Denmark, and Singapore, for example, are frequently cited as places to learn from. But one of the problems with turning to other countries is that their politics and governments are fundamentally different, and simply copying them isn’t always an option.
That’s why I’m particularly interested in looking at examples of public housing models that have worked quite well here in the United States. After all, if one American city or county can pull off an ambitious program, then what’s stopping others from doing the same?
Earlier this year, my colleague Rachel Cohen highlighted a place where local leaders are expanding public housing: Montgomery County, Maryland.
Montgomery County has long prioritized affordable housing. Developers, for example, are required to make at least 15 percent of units in new housing projects available for people who make less than two-thirds of the area’s median income.
But the county got creative with how it could provide public housing: It set aside a fund to finance and develop housing projects. And while the county partners with private developers, its investment makes it a majority owner of a given project. As the New York Times put it, the county, as an owner, becomes “a kind of benevolent investor that trades profits for lower rents.”
For background, the county’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) is not just a public housing authority, but a housing finance agency and public developer as well. “We have these three different components that ultimately work together to help us really advance a very aggressive development strategy that we have deployed over 50 years,” said Chelsea Andrews, executive director of HOC.
Read Vox's article "A public housing success story."
CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman was quoted in BisNow’s recent article “Biden's Budget Includes 'Once in a Generation' Investment in Vouchers, Public Housing. Now Landlords Need to Get on Board,” offering CLPHA’s perspective on the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan that would allocate $30 billion the Housing Choice Voucher program and $40 billion to public housing.
“To propose this level of investment in one fell swoop, it’s extraordinary,” Zaterman told BisNow. “There’s now a strong consensus that more could have and should have been done in 2008 and 2009 for reinvestment,” she added. “This $40B [proposal] does not meet the overall need, but it is extraordinary in the level that it raises the funding from our current baseline.”
Read BisNow’s article. (requires free registration for access to the article)
NPR’s Pam Fessler quoted CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman in a story about the challenges of utilizing the $5 billion in emergency housing vouchers included in the American Rescue Plan. Zaterman told Fessler that while balancing landlord, tenant and taxpayer interests has always been hard, the situation is more dire than ever in the pandemic with millions of Americans struggling with rent. “There is a need for all of our members, a crying need, for additional vouchers that are serving a wide range of populations,” Zaterman said.
Sunia Zaterman participated in a recent story on the unique opportunities presented by the new administration to address the nation’s dire affordable housing shortage as part of Fast Company’s Home Bound, a series that examines Americans’ fraught relationship with their homes.
“Our focus now is assembling the tools to give housing authorities more ability to acquire properties and to bring to neighborhoods other types of affordable housing,” Zaterman told Fast Company of CLPHA’s goals to capitalize on this inflection point in the public and affordable housing industry. She added that while the new HUD administration’s more flexible rules help housing authorities create more affordable housing in their communities, the main need facing PHAs and affordable housing providers is more money: “You may have heard this before—money is the key obstacle.”
This morning, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman appeared on C-SPAN's Washington Journal to discuss public and affordable housing issues and President Biden's proposed American Jobs Plan.
Ms. Zaterman answered questions from host Pedro Echevarria and members of the public from around the country, explaining what public housing authorities do, who they serve, and why increasing funding for public housing, vouchers, and other HUD programs is crucial to preserving affordable housing opportunities, strengthening the social safety net, and improving the life outcomes of low income Americans. She also discussed the positive impacts of the American Jobs Plan -- CLPHA estimates that 440,000 jobs will be created and $76 billion in economic impact generated during the time when the $40 billion in funds from the Plan are spent.
On Friday, April 9 from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. ET, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman will appear on C-SPAN's Washington Journal to discuss President Biden's proposed American Jobs Plan, public and affordable housing, and related issues. Read Ms. Zaterman’s statement applauding President Biden’s announcement of the American Jobs Plan here.
You can watch Ms. Zaterman’s interview on the C-SPAN channel or live on C-SPAN's website and ask questions of Ms. Zaterman during the program via phone:
Outside U.S. and Text: (202) 748-8003
Republicans: (202) 748-8001
Democrats: (202) 748-8000
Independents: (202) 748-8002
Viewers can also share their thoughts and questions via email (j[email protected]), Twitter, Facebook and text messages (202-748-8003).
From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's website:
Last week, The Minneapolis Foundation announced a grant award of $400,000 to Stable Homes Stable Schools (SHSS) through the foundation’s OneMPLS Fund. The award is part of a larger $500,000 grant to Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), supporting housing stability programming designed to support educational outcomes and end cycles of generational poverty for students and their families over the next two years.
With SHSS experiencing a significant increase in referrals in recent months, the funding comes at a critical time. The $400,000 granted funds will support the expansion of program eligibility to families earning below 50 percent Area Median Income (AMI), up from less than 30 percent AMI, ensuring that more children at risk of housing related educational disruptions are able to fully engage in their lessons and classrooms.
Stable Homes Stable Schools is a pioneering partnership between MPHA, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and MPS, along with the YMCA of the North as the service partner, working to reduce homelessness among families with elementary-aged kids in Minneapolis and improve immediate and long term educational outcomes for students impacted by housing instability. The program is a holistic approach to addressing homelessness through prevention (emergency short- and medium-term assistance) and intervention (multi-year rental assistance and support services). Since 2019, more than 7,500* kids and 2,700* families have benefited from the program.
More than 2,360* families, like the Alexander family, have received emergency short- or medium-term assistance through SHSS’ housing stabilization program. Housing stabilization helps families avoid homelessness with emergency assistance which could include back pay of rent, helping pay for fixing a car needed to get to work, or other forms of assistance to keep families in their current housing. This tool is key to preventing homelessness before it happens and has helped 6,500* children avoid homelessness since SHSS’ inception.
Another 340* families, like the Albert and Lige families, have received multi-year rental help through SHSS’ housing placement and support program. This multi-year rental assistance and wraparound services help families escape or avoid homelessness and aids them in securing stable, long-term affordable housing. This includes housing search and tenant education to secure affordable housing in the private rental market. Beyond financial support, SHSS provides one-on-one case management services addressing families’ financial empowerment, tenant readiness, and education and employment development. This combined approach helps families remove barriers to housing stability and prepare them for self-sufficiency.
This $400,000 award from the Minneapolis Foundation builds on numerous grants and funding awarded to SHSS in 2025. Recent awards include a $900,000 from Minnesota Housing, $350,000 from the Pohlad Family Foundation, and the City of Minneapolis providing both a one-time and annual increase of $1.4 million, replenishing the program’s reserves while also bringing the city’s annual funding contribution to $3.6 million.
From Fort Worth Housing Solutions' press release:
Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS) announced today that it is breaking ground on phase five of a six-phase housing redevelopment initiative to transform the Stop Six community.
FWHS and the City of Fort Worth were awarded the initial grant funds to begin the transformation of the neighborhood by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhood grant program in 2020. Over the past six years, the plan has been progressing to create a more vibrant and sustainable community in the historic Stop Six neighborhood.
The plan is aligned with the three core goals of HUD’s Choice Neighborhood grant program:
- People: Improve outcomes of households living in the target housing related to employment and income, health, and education
- Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood
- Neighborhood: Create the conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods to offer the amenities and assets, including safety, good schools, and commercial activity, that are important to families’ choices about their community
Named after Robert Hughes, the legendary Fort Worth ISD basketball coach and winningest high school boys basketball coach in U.S. history, Hughes House II is the largest of three construction phases. When complete, the development will provide 542 mixed-income units where the former Cavile Place public housing community once stood.
FWHS broke ground on the first phase of Hughes House units in 2023 and welcomed the first group of residents in 2025.
The groundbreaking of Hughes House II will take place on June 2, 2026 for the 302 units, which includes 1-4 bedroom unit options with a mix of permanent supportive housing, tax credit units, and market rate units.
“The Stop Six transformation has provided a meaningful impact to our residents,” said Deborah Peoples, Fort Worth City Councilmember for District 5. “All of the hard work that Fort Worth Housing Solutions, city staff, and community members have contributed to this collaborative effort is providing better housing, education, supportive services, and quality of life for our neighbors. I’m excited about this next phase of development at Hughes House and am proud to support this transformation plan.”
The broader Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative also includes a community hub for recreation, education, health services, job training, and commercial space. In 2025, CVS Health opened the CVS Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in the community in partnership with FWHS. The center features a CVS pharmacy classroom that replicates a real CVS pharmacy where students train to work in pharmacy settings. Aetna also provides access to health education, assistance with navigating benefits, and health screenings at the on-site Community Resource Center. This investment builds on CVS Health and Aetna’s long history of community support in Texas. To date, CVS Health has invested $234 million in affordable housing across the state, helping to create or preserve nearly 14,000 affordable units.
“CVS Health is proud to be part of the Stop Six Transformation plan,” said Keli Savage, Vice President, Real Estate and Impact Investments at CVS Health. “Housing and stable employment are intrinsically connected to health and wellness and our collaboration with Forth Worth Housing Solutions is a powerful example of what can be achieved through community-driven investments and programs.”
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development seeded this transformation initiative with a $35 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant awarded to Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the City of Fort Worth in 2020. In all, the initial HUD grant is expected to trigger more than $345 million in investment and improvements for the Stop Six community.
“Breaking ground on phase five of this six-phase housing transformation initiative is a huge milestone for our community and our team,” said Mary-Margaret Lemons, President of Fort Worth Housing Solutions. “Our team is honored to bring the transformation plan to life, realizing the vision of the residents and community leaders of the historic Stop Six neighborhood. These efforts will provide a positive impact for decades to come.”
The Reno Housing Authority is expanding their permanent supportive housing with a groundbreaking ceremony for their newest development called "Hope Landing."
It will be a 15-unit development and a chance to provide even more stability, resources, and opportunities to thrive for their residents who have experienced homelessness.
Dr. Hilary Lopez, executive director for the Reno Housing Authority, says, "We know that there's a dire need for all types of affordable housing throughout our community, and Hope Landing will provide specifically 15 units of permanent supportive housing targeted towards those who are chronically homeless and have incomes at or below 30% of area median incomes... some of our most vulnerable community members."
She speaks on the resources they provide as well.
Some of the things that make Hope Landing so special are that we're not only able to provide permanent, long-term, quality, affordable housing, but it will also include onsite supportive services. And so, residents who live here will be able to access case management workforce development assistance and other types of supportive services."
Dr. Lopez tells us for these projects, collaboration is key. They were able to access funding for the development of the project but also for the resources they provide.
"We're very fortunate that we were able to access a variety of different funds to really make this project come together for the development piece. We were able to work with our board to utilize some of Reno Housing Authority's own funds made possible through our federal funding streams for this project as well as money through the state of Nevada."
They anticipate it's going to take about 12 months to bring this project to finality and start leasing.
"We're going to be demolishing the current structures within about the next two weeks and then moving right into construction, about a 12-month construction schedule, so again, just looking forward to welcoming the first 15 residents here in spring 2027."
From the King County Housing Authority's press release:
The King County Housing Authority (KCHA) today celebrated the grand opening of Kirkland Heights, a newly redeveloped affordable housing community that preserves long-standing affordability while expanding housing options for families in Kirkland.
This marks the completion of a multi-year transformation of the 13-acre site into a modern, garden-style community with 276 affordable rental homes across 27 buildings, along with upgraded infrastructure and new amenities designed to support healthy, stable living for residents. Kirkland Heights offers an average affordability of 60% AMI, including 106 project-based Section 8 vouchers, and offers rental homes with multiple bedrooms designed to accommodate families with children.
Originally built in 1970 as a 180-unit community financed through federal housing programs, the property was then called “Aero Kirkland” and was initially developed by the International Association of Machinists to support Boeing workers during a period of economic change.
Over time, as Kirkland experienced a tech boom and rents were rising, the need to preserve affordable housing became more urgent. In 2019, KCHA acquired the property to ensure long-term affordability and protect residents from displacement.
Beginning in 2022, KCHA undertook a full redevelopment. Rather than tear down the existing buildings and risk displacement of current residents, KCHA chose to carefully phase construction to minimize displacement and allow most families to remain on-site throughout the project.
KCHA rehabilitated the 180 existing units and added 96 new units by adding a third floor to several 8-plexes and constructing two new 24-plexes, significantly expanding housing opportunities while modernizing aging buildings and infrastructure.
The revitalized community now features a new community building, outdoor gathering spaces, playgrounds, gardens, and recreational amenities, creating a welcoming environment designed to strengthen connections among residents. The attractive aesthetic seamlessly integrates with the surrounding neighborhood.
Kirkland Heights is designed to meet Washington State’s Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS) with solar PV systems generating more than 846,000 kWh per year, 19 EV charging stations, centralized water-heating systems at no cost to residents, durable materials, and in-unit washers/dryers. Stormwater management includes multiple detention facilities and a fully renewed storm system. Such a sustainability-forward approach is rarely seen at this scale in suburban rehabilitations, and the modern, efficient systems and reduced utility burdens ensure long-term affordability.
At a time when housing costs continue to rise across King County, the project demonstrates how strategic investment can both preserve existing affordable housing and expand supply in high-opportunity communities.
When housing is abundant and affordable, our whole community benefits.
Financing & Partners
The project is funded through 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Renewable Energy Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, and investments from King County, ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing), and KCHA, with a total construction investment of $125 million over three years. The City of Kirkland provided a waiver of impact fees.
KCHA is the project sponsor, developer, general partner of the LIHTC partnership, and long-term steward. RBC Capital Markets is the syndicator and JPM is the investor, supporting tax credit equity. SMR Architects led design, Allied Construction Associates completed the construction, Puget Sound Solar provided solar infrastructure, and Allied Residential will operate the completed property.
What people are saying
“Kirkland Heights tells a powerful story about what it means to preserve community. For more than 50 years, this property has provided homes for working families. Today, we are building on that legacy—ensuring that current and future residents have access to stable, affordable homes. This redevelopment reflects our commitment to invest for the long term and to create places where people can thrive.” – Robin Walls, President and CEO of the King County Housing Authority.
“The skyrocketing cost of rent and housing is one of the biggest pain points families are facing right now. One of the most effective ways to address this crisis is to build more affordable housing. This development is a great example of the housing we need to build across our region and the country so families can live, work, and play close to home. This project wouldn’t have been possible without the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the most successful affordable housing supply program in our country. I’ve long been a leader in supporting and expanding this program so we can build more affordable housing faster.” – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01)
“Projects like Kirkland Heights are a key part of our plan to address housing affordability across our region. Through partnership and long-term investment, we are making sure that people can live closer to where they work, closer to great schools, and in a place where, together, we can build a strong community now and in the future.” – Kelli Curtis, Mayor of Kirkland
“Creating more homes at more price points is essential to keeping Kirkland an inclusive and livable community. Renovation projects that create additional capacity, like Kirkland Heights, help provide a range of housing options that strengthen the long-term stability of our community.” – Neal Black, Kirkland Deputy Mayor and KCHA Board Commissioner
“Kirkland Heights represents both a new beginning and a continuation of a proud legacy. More than 50 years ago, this community was created by the Machinists Union to provide stable, affordable homes for working families during a time of economic uncertainty. Today, that same spirit lives on in this redevelopment—preserving affordability, honoring the people who built this community, and ensuring that future generations of workers and their families can have a home in Kirkland.” — Richard Jackson, District Secretary-Treasurer for the International Association of Machinists District 751 and KCHA Board Commissioner
“Kirkland Heights shows what’s possible when cities and regional partners work together to preserve and expand affordable housing. ARCH is proud to invest in a redevelopment that keeps long-time residents in place while creating new opportunities for families across East King County.” — Lindsay Masters, Executive Director of ARCH
“J.P. Morgan is proud to invest in Kirkland Heights, a transformative affordable housing redevelopment in Kirkland, Washington that will renovate 180 existing apartments and add 96 new units bringing the community to 276 income-restricted units, including apartments set aside for residents with disabilities. We’re honored to partner with the King County Housing Authority and RBC Community Investments on this impactful project that expands housing access for families across the Seattle region.” – Amber Beeman, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Tax Oriented Investments
From the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority's press release:
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), alongside The Community Builders (TCB), the City of Cleveland, and project partners, officially celebrated the grand opening of Woodhill Station East on May 15. This milestone marks the completion of the third phase and the final off-site component of the Buckeye-Woodhill Choice Transformation.
The comprehensive redevelopment plan is transforming the former 1930s era Woodhill Homes into a modern, vibrant neighborhood. Supported by a $35 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant awarded in 2021, as well as a $10 million supplemental grant in 2023, the multi-phase initiative will ultimately deliver approximately 638 new homes and public amenities to the Buckeye-Woodhill community.
“The opening of Woodhill Station East marks a key moment in the Buckeye-Woodhill Choice Transformation,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of CMHA. “The first three phases have already begun to reshape how residents experience their community, bringing new, high-quality homes and laying foundations for retail opportunities.”
Located at the corner of Buckeye Road and Woodhill Road, this newest phase adds 64 high-quality rental homes to the neighborhood, featuring 54 affordable apartments and 10 market-rate units for individuals and families. The building also includes commercial space designed to host up to three local retail tenants.
Residents of Woodhill Station East will enjoy a full suite of modern community amenities, including a fitness center, lounges, a community room, landscaped greenspace, and an outdoor patio for gatherings. Additionally, all units are pre-wired for low-cost, high-speed internet service through Digital-C, virtually connecting residents to education and employment opportunities.
The transit-oriented development is conveniently situated near public transportation, providing easy access to jobs and amenities. To ensure long-term resident success, TCB Community Life case managers will be based on-site to provide supportive programming in workforce development, asset building, youth development, education, and health and wellness.
“Woodhill Station East represents the future of equitable development in Cleveland,” added Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “This project is another major step forward in the transformation of Buckeye-Woodhill and reflects what’s possible when strong public, private, and community partners come together around a shared vision.”