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David Greer
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CLPHA Begins Nationwide Search for Next Executive Director
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2025) -- The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) today announced that CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman plans to retire at the end of 2025. Zaterman has led CLPHA, a national non-profit membership organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis, and public education, for over thirty years. The CLPHA Board of Directors has engaged Sally M. Sterling Executive Search to lead its nationwide search for a new executive director.
“For over three decades Sunia has been one of the most influential leaders in the housing industry,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CLPHA Board President and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO. “CLPHA, under Sunia’s leadership, has helped shape the evolution, innovation, and development of public and affordable housing. Our housing industry will forever be grateful for her advocacy, dedication, and commitment, as well as the many significant contributions that Sunia has made which have been so beneficial to communities across the nation. CLPHA’s Board of Directors deeply thanks her for her stewardship, vision, and friendship, and wish her all the best in her next chapter.” Under Zaterman’s leadership CLPHA has been at the vanguard of the public and affordable housing industry’s most successful advancements, pushing for the tools and resources that PHAs need to evolve with national trends and respond to local challenges. Throughout her tenure CLPHA has been a staunch advocate for considering affordable housing for low-income households a key aspect of the social safety net on par with Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. At the beginning of Zaterman’s tenure, she established and directed the Housing Research Foundation (HRF), a CLPHA affiliate, to serve as the information and technical assistance clearinghouse for the nascent HOPE VI program under a cooperation agreement with HUD. HRF was instrumental in bringing new tools and ideas to PHAs on public/private finance, urban design, community building, resident service supports, and peer learning. “Sunia will leave CLPHA with a legacy of compassion, leadership, and transformative impact upon her retirement,” said La Shelle Dozier, CLPHA Board Vice President and Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency Executive Director. “Throughout her significant career at CLPHA and many years in the public and affordable housing industry, Sunia has ensured that improving the life outcomes of low-income individuals remains at the heart of CLPHA’s mission. Countless individuals served by PHAs have enjoyed increased housing stability, economic security, and access to critical services thanks to the initiatives and innovations that CLPHA has championed under Sunia’s leadership. Our industry will miss her greatly.” Under her leadership CLPHA was instrumental in the creation and subsequent expansions of the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration, a HUD program that allows PHAs greater flexibility to develop local solutions for local housing challenges. MTW PHAs have pioneered and scaled successful programs and greater efficiencies that improve lives and more effectively address the nation’s housing crisis. Many initiatives stemming from MTW PHAs have been adopted into law and regulations. CLPHA supported the creation of the MTW Collaborative, a non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of current and future MTW agencies. CLPHA continues the partnership with the Collaborative through a management agreement. “During her extraordinary tenure as CLPHA’s executive director Sunia has played a critical role in improving national housing policy and strengthening the affordable housing industry,” said Joshua Meehan, MTW Collaborative Board President and Keene Housing Executive Director. “Her leadership at CLPHA has consistently supported public housing authorities in doing better work for the people we serve. Her focus on amplifying the role public housing authorities can play in improving educational, economic, and health outcomes for residents and voucher holders is especially noteworthy and appreciated, and I know the entire industry is grateful to her for her hard work and dedication. I wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.” Recognizing the need for PHAs to expand cross-sector collaboration to better serve residents and create platforms for opportunity, under Zaterman’s leadership CLPHA developed Housing Is, an initiative to foster collaboration across the health, education, and housing sectors through shared goals, focused resources, and coordinated efforts. At its core, Housing Is helps build a future where systems work together to improve life outcomes. Housing Is has convened 11 national summits with a wide array of cross-sector partners. CLPHA continues its partnership with Housing Is under a management agreement. “Sunia has been a champion of housers and affordable housing for decades,” said George Guy, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) President and CEO/Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Housing Authority. “Sunia has helped cultivate collaboration and innovative ideas that have provided useful resources and tools to assist agencies in serving their communities. She is a true servant leader. I am grateful for her hard work, her leadership, and her tireless advocacy on behalf of public housing agencies and the residents they serve." During Zaterman’s tenure CLPHA was also instrumental in the creation of the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), a HUD program that preserves and improves affordable housing by allowing PHAs to leverage public-private partnerships to convert public housing units to long-term, project-based Section 8 rental assistance. CLPHA convened the RAD Collaborative, an initiative to build a community of practice and support to recapitalize the public housing portfolio, and offered stakeholders national and regional conferences, webinars, and policy analysis. Building on the successes of RAD to leverage private investment and responding to the need for expanded recapitalization tools and resources, CLPHA spearheads, under Zaterman’s leadership, the 10 Year Roadmap for Housing Sustainability. The Roadmap convenes a broad-based coalition of experts in housing, finance, development, and cross-sector approaches to develop and advance a 10-year reinvestment plan that establishes a sustainable, affordable, and service-enriched housing platform for residents to achieve their life goals. "Congratulations to Sunia on her upcoming retirement,” said Mark Gillett, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) Immediate Past President and Oklahoma City Housing Authority Executive Director. “Her years of work with CLPHA reflect a deep commitment to housing policy and public service. Sunia has played a consistent role in shaping national conversations around affordable housing. As she steps into retirement, her presence in the field throughout her long career is much appreciated. We wish her the very best in the next chapter." In addition to her leadership of CLPHA, Zaterman currently serves on the board of the Emerald Cities Collaborative. She has also served on the Harvard Joint Center on Housing Studies' America's Rental Housing 2024 Advisory Group, Convergence Collaborative on Social Determinants of Health, American Rescue Plan Evaluation National Expert Panel, and Johns Hopkins HOPES Policy Advisory Board. She began her career in housing as a New York State governor’s fellow at the New York State Housing Finance Agency. She also served as the judiciary committee clerk in the Texas State Legislature. Zaterman served as the executive director of the Travis County, TX Housing Authority, and the director of research and development Alexandria, VA Redevelopment and Housing Authority. She was nominated for the Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing. Zaterman holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Barnard College. In advance of Zaterman’s retirement, CLPHA has begun a nationwide search for its next executive director through Sally M. Sterling Executive Search. To inquire about the position, email [email protected].
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Throughout her tenure Zaterman has remained a steady and thoughtful steward of the needs of CLPHA members, who today number more than 85 of the largest and most innovative public housing authorities (PHAs) across the country. CLPHA’s members collectively own and manage nearly 40 percent of the nation’s public housing stock, administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program, and provide a wide array of other rental assistance. Above all, CLPHA under Zaterman’s leadership has centered the needs of low-income families that PHAs serve when charting the organization’s goals and priorities.|
### About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
CLPHA, PBCHA, and Sponsors Support Continuation of 2025 Competition
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2025) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce that four graduate student teams have been selected as finalists of the 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition. The four finalists include two teams from the University of California, Berkeley and one team each from the University of Kansas and Yale University. The 2025 competition partnered with the Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA) in Palm Beach County, Florida. CLPHA was chosen to host the competition after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was unable to continue as host. “CLPHA is honored to serve as host for the Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition,” said Sunia Zaterman, CLPHA executive director. “CLPHA hopes this competition will inspire and support students in fields such as architecture, planning, policy, and finance in advancing affordable and sustainable housing for low- and moderate-income Americans. We also thank PBCHA and the numerous sponsors whose gracious contributions have enabled us to continue this competition.” Each year, the Innovation in Affordable Housing competition invites graduate students enrolled in accredited educational institutions in the United States to form multi-disciplinary teams to respond to an existing affordable housing design and planning issue. The competition requires teams composed of graduate students in architecture, planning and policy, finance, and other areas to address social, economic, environmental, design, financial, and construction issues in addition to an affordable housing design challenge. The theme for the 2025 competition is “designing for disasters.” The graduate student teams were challenged to address the lack of affordable housing in Palm Beach County due to a shortage of land for development, while also considering the property is subject to Florida weather related to heat, heavy rains resulting in flooding, hurricanes and high winds, as well as post-disaster safety concerns. The student teams were tasked with redeveloping an underutilized 13+ acre of land owned by PBCHA that currently has a 134-unit public housing development and a maximum density of 350 units. “PBCHA wishes to thank CLPHA for stepping in at a crucial juncture so that the Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition would continue this year,” said Carol Jones-Gilbert, PBCHA CEO. “We are proud to partner with CLPHA for the 2025 competition. The challenge to design affordable and sustainable housing in disaster prone areas couldn’t be timelier with natural disasters increasing in intensity and frequency.” On May 8, the finalist graduate student teams will present their final projects to a jury of practitioners. Jurors will determine the winning team later in May. That winning team will be awarded a cash prize and present their design at CLPHA’s Summer Meeting, hosted by Atlanta Housing, on June 13, 2025 in Atlanta, GA. The jurors include:
The design competition is supported by sponsors from across the architecture, real estate, and finance sectors, including Bank of America, CSG Advisors, Enterprise, Merritt Community Capital Corporation, The Pacific Companies, Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments, Redstone Equity Partners, Related California, and US Bankcorp Impact Finance. |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About the Palm Beach County Housing Authority Located at 3333 Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, PBCHA advocates for those who need housing and strives to provide Palm Beach County residents with affordable housing options, self-sufficiency programs, and leadership opportunities. The agency is committed to providing quality living environments through new and existing housing developments. To contact PBCHA, call 561-684-2160 or visit the website at pbchafl.org. |
Grant to Support Policy Agenda Addressing Homelessness for Infants, Toddlers, Expectant Parents, and Their Families
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(Washington, D.C.) February 3, 2025 – We are pleased to announce that the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) has awarded $150,000 to support the work of Housing Is to strengthen the intersection of housing and early childhood development. Housing Is received this grant from PCI to work with a coalition of organizations, including Prevent Child Abuse America, Zero to Three, and our long-time partner SchoolHouse Connection, to build a policy agenda addressing homelessness for infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families and promoting strong early childhood development and economic security among this population. 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. “Housing Is is proud to receive this grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative and to join this coalition focused on improving housing opportunities and life outcomes for some of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals: infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, president of the Housing Is board of directors and CEO of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. “The early childhood, housing, and homelessness sectors must work together to build a coordinated, holistic support system for these children and their families. Public housing authorities play a critical role in providing affordable housing to this population, and Housing Is will represent the voices of PHAs and other housing organizations in this coalition. PCI’s support will enable Housing Is and our coalition to build and disseminate a policy agenda and messaging campaign that will address homelessness for these infants and young children and their families.” “Housing Is extends our gratitude to the Pritzker Children’s Initiative for their recognition of our work to align sectors that serve low-income families,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), which manages Housing Is under an operating agreement. “As Housing Is has stressed throughout our ten-year history, systems that serve low-income individuals are stronger and more effective when they work together. With this grant, PCI is helping Housing Is to further our mission to improve life outcomes for low-income families through cross-sector collaboration.” |
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About Housing Is |
Winning Team Awarded $15,000 and Will Present Their Design at CLPHA’s Summer Meeting, Hosted by Atlanta Housing
UC Berkeley Team Gold Earns Second Place; University of Kansas and Yale University Teams Named Runners-up
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2025) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce that the University of California, Berkeley’s Team Blue has been named the winner of the 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition. The first-place team, comprised of Omeed Ansari, Yameen Arshad, Balaji Balaganesan, Harrison Haigood, and Chelsea Hall, will be awarded $15,000 and present their winning design at CLPHA’s Summer Meeting, hosted by Atlanta Housing, on June 13 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 2025 competition partnered with the Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA) in Palm Beach County, Florida. CLPHA stepped in to host the competition after it was terminated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"CLPHA congratulates UC Berkeley Team Blue on winning the 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “Their ‘Mango Commons’ design incorporated innovative, climate-resilient design, thoughtful integration of resident services and programs, and comprehensive financing solutions that brought PBCHA’s community to life. This first-place team and all participating university teams represent the best and brightest in the future of affordable housing development, design, and planning, and CLPHA is honored to celebrate their ingenuity and hard work.”
Each year, the Innovation in Affordable Housing competition invites graduate students enrolled in accredited educational institutions in the United States to form multi-disciplinary teams to respond to an existing affordable housing design and planning issue. The competition requires teams composed of graduate students in architecture, planning and policy, finance, and other areas to address social, economic, environmental, design, financial, and construction issues in addition to an affordable housing design challenge.
The theme for the 2025 competition is “designing for disasters.” The graduate student teams were challenged to address the lack of affordable housing in Palm Beach County due to a shortage of land for development, while also considering the property is subject to Florida weather related to heat, heavy rains resulting in flooding, hurricanes and high winds, as well as post-disaster safety concerns. The student teams were tasked with redeveloping an underutilized 13+ acre parcel of land owned by PBCHA that currently has a 134-unit public housing development and a maximum density of 350 units.
UC Berkeley Team Blue’s winning design, named Mango Commons, is rooted in disaster resilience, long-term sustainability, and community cohesion. The 350-unit, three-phased redevelopment plan for PBCHA is innovative and resident-driven. Mango Commons makes use of built and natural systems for climate resilience, underpinned by the site’s self-sustaining circular economy. In its design, the project boasts large outdoor verandas to build social resilience and hearken to Southern “front porch” culture. Mango Commons also leverages community gardens, tech education, and culinary programming to promote food security, self-sufficiency, and intergenerational activities for the entire community. Lastly, for its financing, it incorporates a unique option-to-buy program and a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for ownership.
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“Competitions like this are so important for students to be able to address real-life situations and learn through doing,” said UC Berkeley Team Blue Faculty Advisor Lydia Tan. “UC Berkeley’s Team Blue this year was exemplary—the team dug deep into the local issues facing the Palm Beach County Housing Authority and the community, talking with a plethora of local stakeholders in an effort to truly understand the local ecosystem. The team’s ultimate proposal is realistically executable, would result in an amazing environment for current and future residents, and can act as a catalyst to bring the local community even closer together. Thanks to CLPHA and all of those who picked up the task of carrying out the competition so that all the students who competed could have their ideas shared with the public.” The University of California, Berkeley’s Team Gold earned second place in the competition and will be awarded $5,000. Runner-up teams from the University of Kansas and Yale University will be awarded $2,500 each. Eleven teams entered the competition from universities including Columbia University, University of Florida, University of Iowa, and University of Maryland College Park. On May 8, the finalist graduate student teams presented their final projects to a jury of practitioners. The jurors included:
The design competition is supported by sponsors from across the architecture, real estate, and finance sectors, including Bank of America, the Cooper Housing Institute, CSG Advisors, Enterprise, Merritt Community Capital Corporation, The Pacific Companies, Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments, Palm Beach County Housing Authority, Redstone Equity Partners, Related California, and US Bankcorp Impact Finance.
Media Contact: (916) 716-9088 |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities About the Palm Beach County Housing Authority Located at 3333 Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, PBCHA advocates for those who need housing and strives to provide Palm Beach County residents with affordable housing options, self-sufficiency programs, and leadership opportunities. The agency is committed to providing quality living environments through new and existing housing developments. To contact PBCHA, call 561-684-2160 or visit the website at pbchafl.org. |
CLPHA Begins Nationwide Search for Next Executive Director
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2025) -- The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) today announced that CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman plans to retire at the end of 2025. Zaterman has led CLPHA, a national non-profit membership organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis, and public education, for over thirty years. The CLPHA Board of Directors has engaged Sally M. Sterling Executive Search to lead its nationwide search for a new executive director.
“For over three decades Sunia has been one of the most influential leaders in the housing industry,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CLPHA Board President and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO. “CLPHA, under Sunia’s leadership, has helped shape the evolution, innovation, and development of public and affordable housing. Our housing industry will forever be grateful for her advocacy, dedication, and commitment, as well as the many significant contributions that Sunia has made which have been so beneficial to communities across the nation. CLPHA’s Board of Directors deeply thanks her for her stewardship, vision, and friendship, and wish her all the best in her next chapter.” Under Zaterman’s leadership CLPHA has been at the vanguard of the public and affordable housing industry’s most successful advancements, pushing for the tools and resources that PHAs need to evolve with national trends and respond to local challenges. Throughout her tenure CLPHA has been a staunch advocate for considering affordable housing for low-income households a key aspect of the social safety net on par with Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. At the beginning of Zaterman’s tenure, she established and directed the Housing Research Foundation (HRF), a CLPHA affiliate, to serve as the information and technical assistance clearinghouse for the nascent HOPE VI program under a cooperation agreement with HUD. HRF was instrumental in bringing new tools and ideas to PHAs on public/private finance, urban design, community building, resident service supports, and peer learning. “Sunia will leave CLPHA with a legacy of compassion, leadership, and transformative impact upon her retirement,” said La Shelle Dozier, CLPHA Board Vice President and Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency Executive Director. “Throughout her significant career at CLPHA and many years in the public and affordable housing industry, Sunia has ensured that improving the life outcomes of low-income individuals remains at the heart of CLPHA’s mission. Countless individuals served by PHAs have enjoyed increased housing stability, economic security, and access to critical services thanks to the initiatives and innovations that CLPHA has championed under Sunia’s leadership. Our industry will miss her greatly.” Under her leadership CLPHA was instrumental in the creation and subsequent expansions of the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration, a HUD program that allows PHAs greater flexibility to develop local solutions for local housing challenges. MTW PHAs have pioneered and scaled successful programs and greater efficiencies that improve lives and more effectively address the nation’s housing crisis. Many initiatives stemming from MTW PHAs have been adopted into law and regulations. CLPHA supported the creation of the MTW Collaborative, a non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of current and future MTW agencies. CLPHA continues the partnership with the Collaborative through a management agreement. “During her extraordinary tenure as CLPHA’s executive director Sunia has played a critical role in improving national housing policy and strengthening the affordable housing industry,” said Joshua Meehan, MTW Collaborative Board President and Keene Housing Executive Director. “Her leadership at CLPHA has consistently supported public housing authorities in doing better work for the people we serve. Her focus on amplifying the role public housing authorities can play in improving educational, economic, and health outcomes for residents and voucher holders is especially noteworthy and appreciated, and I know the entire industry is grateful to her for her hard work and dedication. I wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.” Recognizing the need for PHAs to expand cross-sector collaboration to better serve residents and create platforms for opportunity, under Zaterman’s leadership CLPHA developed Housing Is, an initiative to foster collaboration across the health, education, and housing sectors through shared goals, focused resources, and coordinated efforts. At its core, Housing Is helps build a future where systems work together to improve life outcomes. Housing Is has convened 11 national summits with a wide array of cross-sector partners. CLPHA continues its partnership with Housing Is under a management agreement. “Sunia has been a champion of housers and affordable housing for decades,” said George Guy, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) President and CEO/Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Housing Authority. “Sunia has helped cultivate collaboration and innovative ideas that have provided useful resources and tools to assist agencies in serving their communities. She is a true servant leader. I am grateful for her hard work, her leadership, and her tireless advocacy on behalf of public housing agencies and the residents they serve." During Zaterman’s tenure CLPHA was also instrumental in the creation of the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), a HUD program that preserves and improves affordable housing by allowing PHAs to leverage public-private partnerships to convert public housing units to long-term, project-based Section 8 rental assistance. CLPHA convened the RAD Collaborative, an initiative to build a community of practice and support to recapitalize the public housing portfolio, and offered stakeholders national and regional conferences, webinars, and policy analysis. Building on the successes of RAD to leverage private investment and responding to the need for expanded recapitalization tools and resources, CLPHA spearheads, under Zaterman’s leadership, the 10 Year Roadmap for Housing Sustainability. The Roadmap convenes a broad-based coalition of experts in housing, finance, development, and cross-sector approaches to develop and advance a 10-year reinvestment plan that establishes a sustainable, affordable, and service-enriched housing platform for residents to achieve their life goals. "Congratulations to Sunia on her upcoming retirement,” said Mark Gillett, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) Immediate Past President and Oklahoma City Housing Authority Executive Director. “Her years of work with CLPHA reflect a deep commitment to housing policy and public service. Sunia has played a consistent role in shaping national conversations around affordable housing. As she steps into retirement, her presence in the field throughout her long career is much appreciated. We wish her the very best in the next chapter." In addition to her leadership of CLPHA, Zaterman currently serves on the board of the Emerald Cities Collaborative. She has also served on the Harvard Joint Center on Housing Studies' America's Rental Housing 2024 Advisory Group, Convergence Collaborative on Social Determinants of Health, American Rescue Plan Evaluation National Expert Panel, and Johns Hopkins HOPES Policy Advisory Board. She began her career in housing as a New York State governor’s fellow at the New York State Housing Finance Agency. She also served as the judiciary committee clerk in the Texas State Legislature. Zaterman served as the executive director of the Travis County, TX Housing Authority, and the director of research and development Alexandria, VA Redevelopment and Housing Authority. She was nominated for the Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing. Zaterman holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Barnard College. In advance of Zaterman’s retirement, CLPHA has begun a nationwide search for its next executive director through Sally M. Sterling Executive Search. To inquire about the position, email [email protected].
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### About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
If Enacted, the Proposal Would Also Negatively Impact Private Property Owners and Increase Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 6, 2025) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal:
“The Trump administration’s proposed budget that slashes $26.7 billion from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s rental assistance programs would cause irreparable harm to HUD programs that are essential lifelines to our nation’s children, seniors, and persons with disabilities, while also endangering private property owners who participate in federal rental assistance programs.
“If the President’s proposal were to be enacted, the interruption to vital rental assistance programs would be seismic and lead to a dramatic increase in homelessness in a nation where current rental subsidies only serve one out of our every four persons who qualify. With more than 600,000 private property owners participating in the Section 8 voucher program nationally, the economic impact of decimating these programs would lead to mortgage defaults and foreclosures just as the nation’s economy is worsening.
“Not only does the President’s budget cut rental assistance programs, but it also redesigns them into a state-based formula grant. History shows that block-granted programs often experience reduced funding over time, leading to fewer individuals served and increased poverty. This proposal would force state and local governments to implement significant cuts to current rental assistance programs due to diminished funds and limited capacity, threatening hundreds of thousands of families with homelessness.
“The FY25 final budget recognized the critical importance of funding rental assistance programs, and we urge Congress to continue fully funding rental assistance in the FY26 budget so that no family has to lose their home. CLPHA will work with Congress to advance a budget that keeps families housed and does not exacerbate homelessness and housing instability in America.”
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.
Media Contact:
David Greer, CLPHA
[email protected]
(202) 550-1381
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 New York City Housing Authority's website:
In March, the inaugural cohort of NYCHA’s YouthBuild program in Brownsville, Brooklyn, began their six-month journey into an alternative education pathway aimed at providing them with the skills and support they need to succeed.
YouthBuild is an international program that supports young people ages 16 to 24 who left high school early and may have faced challenges in their personal lives, including being justice-involved, aging out of foster care, experiencing housing instability, and other risk factors. The program offers a community-based model where young people can gain valuable life skills and work experience through a blend of education, construction training, leadership development, and job placement support. NYCHA received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for its YouthBuild program, which will serve young people ages 17 to 24.
This cohort is the first of two six-month cohorts that will be conducted through NYCHA’s YouthBuild, managed by NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES). “We are extremely excited to bring YouthBuild back to Brownsville,” said Lenese McPhie, Deputy Director of REES. “At the core of this program, we aspire to empower and build up our NYCHA youth into confident community leaders as they pursue their educational and career goals. Every young person in the program is unique, and we hope to create an environment where their voices are heard and dreams realized.”
In addition to a stipend and support services, the cohort is receiving classroom instruction on construction skills and safety training, including OSHA site safety training and National Center for Construction Education and Research construction technology credentials; hands-on construction training as they work to renovate affordable housing units in Brownsville and Ocean Hill, Brooklyn; and high school equivalency (HSE) instruction to help them pass the HSE exam (participants who already have their HSE will work towards another educational goal). They will also build their leadership skills and organize and participate in community service opportunities. Following their successful completion of the program, YouthBuild members receive 12 months of job placement and post-program support to help them obtain apprenticeships and entry-level construction positions.
NYCHA’s YouthBuild partners are Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Brooklyn Public Library, and Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation.
As part of a weeklong orientation held at the Langston Houses Community Center, Carver Houses Resident Association President Nina Saxon, an alumnus of YouthBuild, spoke to the cohort members about how her YouthBuild experience changed her life.
Ms. Saxon’s journey began as a teenager in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood in the late 1990s. She had dropped out of high school and was hanging with friends who were involved in risky behavior. Her father asked her, “What are you going to do with yourself?” and she didn’t yet know. However, a pivotal moment came when her close friends were arrested, which prompted Ms. Saxon to make a change. She walked into the location of the first YouthBuild program in East Harlem (Youth Action YouthBuild) and never looked back.
She shared how she “learned how to do blueprints, carpentry, math skills, and I also had an internship at a hospital. There’s a building on 117th and 2nd Avenue that I helped build brick by brick.” Ms. Saxon spoke of the personal challenges she faced during that experience, including losing both of her parents, but she was determined to earn her GED and build a better future for herself.
After receiving her GED thanks to support from YouthBuild, she pursued an undergraduate degree at Morgan State University, along with several other YouthBuild graduates. After graduating from college, she moved back home because she wanted to work and be a force for good in her community – she credits YouthBuild with helping instill love and care for her community. Ms. Saxon became an advocate for YouthBuild’s mission, working as Vice President of the YouthBuild National Alumni Council and traveling the country to talk about the benefits and results of the program. In addition to being the Resident Association President of Carver Houses, she also currently works for City Comptroller Brad Lander.
“This is a movement, and the work we do is never over,” Ms. Saxon said. “The reason I came here today is to tell you my story to give you some inspiration to see that you can do this. I started at YouthBuild when I was 17 and I’ve been on the board of directors for 30 years. You all will make history as the inaugural NYCHA group, and the next cohorts will look to what you did. Once a YouthBuild, always a YouthBuild.”
Ms. Saxon’s experience and advice resonated deeply with the participants, many of whom expressed aspirations to earn their GED, gain meaningful employment, and ultimately build better futures for themselves. YouthBuild member Aniyah said, “One goal I’m hoping to achieve from this program is to gain valuable skills that I would be able to use in my day-to-day life.” Fellow cohort member Kaliyah said she likes the program because of the support: “I like the feeling of warmth when I get here. It’s a struggle sometimes getting here, but I’m always glad when I make it. I would encourage others because it’s helping me.”
From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) unveiled a new community arts mural series at Nickerson Gardens, funded by the state’s Clean California program. This dynamic public art project brings together residents, local leaders, and acclaimed artist Brian Peterson to transform shared spaces with vibrant murals that highlight themes of creativity, resilience, and neighborhood pride.
“The new murals at Nickerson Gardens are a great example of how art can bring people together, foster pride, and build a lasting sense of belonging,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, HACLA President & CEO. “This community arts project is part of a larger effort to activate public spaces, celebrate resident identity, and invest in the well-being of our communities.”
Renowned for his bold, minimalist style, Peterson created eight original murals throughout Nickerson Gardens, incorporating input from residents. During a recent Community Day celebration, local youth and families joined the creative process by helping paint a section of the mural themselves, creating lasting memories and a shared sense of ownership.
“Coming back to Nickerson Gardens to paint eight new murals is deeply meaningful to me. After creating murals honoring Kobe and Gigi Bryant and the LA Rams, I wanted to continue building on the vibrant culture already thriving in this community,” said artist Brian Peterson. “My goal is to bring color and inspiration through my signature style, and to create spaces that uplift everyone who walks by.”
The mural unveiling was part of a broader revitalization effort that includes enhanced public spaces, newly designed trash enclosures that improve accessibility and aesthetics, and resident-led initiatives like the Green Ambassador program—promoting health, connection, and creativity to the community. These efforts build on strong partnerships with sports teams like the Los Angeles Rams, who brought the community a Rams-branded turf field and new sports-themed mural, inspiring youth through art and athletics—watch the video.
Other recent additions include the Lakers and Mamba & Mambacita Foundations’ gym mural and refurbished basketball courts. A central community park and Dodgers Dreamfield are also on the way, slated for completion later this year.
“I am so happy we now have beautiful murals in our community,” said Maria Alcantar, Resident Advisory Council President at Nickerson Gardens. “These murals represent how beautiful the residents’ hearts and souls are.”
Nickerson Gardens continues to evolve into a hub that celebrates resilience through art, athletics, and opportunity. These efforts reinforce HACLA’s mission to reimagine public housing as a platform for community pride and progress.
From the Bremerton Housing Authority's website:
On February 21, 2025, Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) acquired Wheaton Landing, a new 24-unit apartment complex aimed at providing stable housing for families with children in the Bremerton School District who are facing homelessness or housing instability. Enterprise, a national organization dedicated to community development, has accepted the project into its program and will co-lead efforts with Kitsap Strong to bring together key partners and design a tailored program to best serve future residents. With this important purchase, BHA continues to address the unique needs of Bremerton by ensuring that affordable housing is paired with the support necessary for residents to thrive.
“I believe this is an incredible opportunity for our city and county,” said BHA Executive Director Jill Stanton. “We take seriously our mandate to address local needs with our federal resources and believe this local solution to ending homelessness for children is our most viable path forward. We know housing is only a portion of what is needed for success and are grateful for the dedicated stakeholders involved in making this new project possible.”
Wheaton Landing is another significant public-private partnership in which BHA has responded to a recognized need by community partners to reach Bremerton’s most vulnerable residents through housing. In addition to Kitsap Mental Health Services’ Pendleton Place, Kitsap’s first permanent supportive housing complex for 72 chronically homeless individuals, and BHA’s Evergreen Bright Start, Kitsap’s first dedicated housing complex for young adults ages 18-24 exiting foster care or facing homelessness, this new property will also offer access to supportive services tailored specifically to its residents. This project is designed to be a model that can be replicated to help achieve functional zero homelessness for the student body in the Bremerton School District.
In support of its national community development initiatives, Enterprise will lead efforts to bring together key organizations to identify best practices in tenant selection, operations, and services. Wheaton Landing participating stakeholders include:
- Bremerton Housing Authority
- Enterprise
- Kitsap Strong
- Bremerton School District
- Kitsap County Affordable Housing Consortium
- Kitsap County
- City of Bremerton
The goal is to implement a holistic program that addresses the diverse needs of resident families, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Enterprise will also establish key data metrics for tracking and measuring success. Kitsap Strong is co-leading the development of the partnership structure with BHA and serves as the backbone entity.
Successful projects like this require not only good intent, seamless collaboration, specific expertise, and an understanding developer, but also the necessary funding. BHA received crucial support to acquire the newly constructed 24-unit complex located at 3256 Wheaton Way in East Bremerton, which includes:
- An assumable loan from Global Credit Union, marking the first time Global has worked with any public housing authority across the nation.
- Community Investments in Affordable Housing and HOME funds in addition to local funding support from Kitsap County and the City of Bremerton.
- Restricted funds available from the redevelopment of West Park, BHA’s successful effort to improve affordable housing across Bremerton completed in 2015.
- Ongoing rental assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs including Housing Choice Vouchers.
Wheaton Landing represents a major step forward in tackling homelessness and housing instability for families in Bremerton and Kitsap County. By bringing together resources from both the public and private sectors, BHA, Enterprise, Kitsap Strong, the Bremerton School District, and our community partners are reinforcing a continued commitment to building a stronger, more resilient community by focusing on long-term housing solutions.
From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
The transformation of the former site of the County of San Diego’s Family Court into an affordable, intergenerational community of seniors and families with low income is underway, with a groundbreaking ceremony today celebrating the start of construction for Kindred Apartments, a collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
“Today is proof of what can happen when the City and the County work together with our nonprofit partners to get big and bold things done, and I look forward to more collaboration to make sure that we’re continuing to serve our shared constituents to the best of our respective abilities,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.
Kindred Apartments will consist of 125 rental apartments that will remain affordable for 99 years for households earning no more than 60 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income, currently $99,240 per year for a family of four. The development also includes one unrestricted manager’s unit.
“We are here celebrating this site that was once a family courthouse and temporary migrant shelter—it will now become a space of hope, healing and opportunity,” County of San Diego Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said. “Today’s groundbreaking is more than just the start of construction. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for this community and so many people who will benefit from this space. By investing in permanent supportive housing for our seniors and affordable homes for families, we are expanding a future of possibilities for all San Diegans to thrive regardless of income.”
BRIDGE Housing is developing Kindred Apartments in collaboration with SDHC and multiple partners. SDHC awarded 84 housing vouchers to the development, of which 63 are for seniors who previously experienced homelessness. The remaining 21 vouchers will assist eligible families with low income.
“The Kindred Apartments development will transform this site into a vibrant community that brings seniors and families together and provides housing stability in a shared place to call home,” SDHC Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development Colin Miller said. “The rental homes here will be life-changing for seniors who have experienced homelessness and families struggling financially in San Diego’s high-cost rental market.”
SDHC also awarded a loan of up to $7,955,000 toward the development. SDHC’s loan consists of federal, state and local funds SDHC administers, including:
- $2.25 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awards to the City of San Diego;
- $2.85 million from the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund; and
- $2.85 million from the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Fund.
“Affordable housing provides so much more than shelter,” BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard said. “It’s a foundation for healthier families, stronger communities. It helps children succeed in school, empowers adults to contribute more to their neighborhoods and enables seniors to age with dignity.”
San Ysidro Health will provide supportive services, such as medical and social services, through the San Diego Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for the seniors who experienced homelessness. San Ysidro Health will also provide enhanced case management and social services to all residents of Kindred Apartments.
“Health is not accomplished within an exam room or a building. It really does take the social determinants of health to come together in fabric and weave a healthier San Diego,” San Ysidro Health’s Interim CEO Veronica De La Rosa said.
The development is anticipated to be completed in early 2027 in the Cortez Hill neighborhood of downtown San Diego, a transit-oriented area that facilitates access to regional public transit services that connect residents to jobs, schools, parks and recreational opportunities throughout San Diego.
The County of San Diego invested $4 million from its Innovative Housing Trust Fund toward the development, in addition to providing the development site, one of 11 excess land properties the County identified for the creation of affordable housing.
Funding for Kindred Apartments also includes more than $17.7 million in recycled tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds from the State. This funding is part of an innovative bond recycling agreement between the SDHC, the City of San Diego and the California Housing Finance Agency.
Additional funding partners include US Bank, Greystone Housing Impact Investors, and Western Alliance Bank.
From the City of Boston's press release:
The City of Boston today announced that Boston Saves, the City’s children’s savings account program, is offering an incentive to eligible Boston Housing Authority (BHA) families. Currently, all Boston Public Schools (BPS) students in K2-5th grade have been given Boston Saves accounts. This special incentive was created to encourage students who are living in BHA properties and are also eligible for Boston Saves to further engage in the program. BHA eligible families who complete an application by May 1, 2025, will be entered into a lottery to earn an extra $500 for their child’s Boston Saves account. This money, in addition to the $50 provided into every Boston Saves account, can be used to pay for their child’s future college or career training upon graduation.
“Boston Saves has given students and families a chance to get a head start in planning their economic futures,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful for our partnership with BHA for giving eligible families this special incentive to engage in all of the program benefits. I encourage all BHA families with BPS students to log in and take advantage of these economic tools.”
Managed by the Worker Empowerment Cabinet and Boston Public Schools, Boston Saves provides every BPS K2 student with a college savings account (CSA) seeded with $50 to give families a boost for their child’s future. Since its launch, Boston Saves has allocated over $1.7 million, including over $320,000 in family-earned incentives, to over 27,000 student accounts. The program also allows families to earn additional Boston Saves Dollars for their child’s account through ongoing incentives and access to financial education resources that make saving easier.
In 2024, Boston Saves and the Boston Housing Authority piloted this special incentive to support students in BHA housing with Boston Saves accounts. Through this partnership, 268 students earned $500 each last fall, a total of $134,000 for their accounts. Incentives like these are especially valuable as they encourage families to take the necessary first step of logging into their accounts, thereby unlocking the program's benefits.
When a family logs in to the Savings Center, they can:
- See the money in their child’s Boston Saves account
- Link their own financial account to the Savings Center to track all their savings for their child in one place, and earn an additional incentive
- Earn more money for their child’s Boston Saves account by taking simple steps like reading with their child or saving regularly
“Having worked at BHA, this partnership gives me great pleasure and, more importantly, will result in 500 young people beginning to take control of their academic or occupational future,” said Chief of Worker Empowerment, Trinh Nguyen. “I encourage all eligible families to take advantage of Boston Saves and give their child(ren) the financial boost they need to succeed.”
“We are proud to partner with Boston Saves on this exciting investment in the dreams and ambitions of BHA’s children,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “We know that our young residents have a great deal of talent and passion to bring to our communities here in Boston, and this tangible investment in their future will support them and their families on their journeys to unlock all that potential.”