Welcome to CLPHA's Press Room
CLPHA experts welcome interview requests from print, radio, television, and online reporters and are happy to provide their insights on issues of public housing and related legislation and policy.
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
*Please let us know if you are working on deadline.
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(Washington, D.C.) November 25, 2024 – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement upon the nomination of Scott Turner to be Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), whose members serve over 2.2 million people, including over 480,000 children, across the country, congratulates Scott Turner on his nomination as Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our nation is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis, and PHAs offer critical affordable housing opportunities to the most vulnerable families in their communities. Safe, stable, and affordable housing is central to breaking the cycle of poverty and expanding economic, education, and health opportunities. We look forward to working with Mr. Turner on our shared goal of improving the lives of low-income Americans who, for a variety of reasons, have been left behind economically, and lifting up the communities where they live through safe and affordable housing.” |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
Media Contact: (202) 550-1381 |
Congratulations to Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman on New Role as Acting Secretary
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(Washington, D.C.) March 12, 2024 — “On behalf of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, we congratulate HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge on a dedicated career in public service from serving as Mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, to U.S. Congresswoman from Ohio’s 11th district, and culminating as the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. “When Secretary Fudge took the reins of HUD in the middle of a global COVID-19 pandemic, she provided steadfast leadership that expanded rental assistance and served more than 1.2 people experiencing homelessness. She has been an ardent housing champion giving voice to millions of people in need. “Secretary Fudge worked with CLPHA throughout her tenure to provide greater flexibility to address housing needs and redress systemic racism that has been embedded in housing policy for decades. “We commend her on an exemplary career in public service and wish her well in the next chapter of her life. We look forward to working with Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, former CLPHA Vice President, in her new role as Acting Secretary.” |
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### Media Contact: David Greer, CLPHA
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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Policies Would Bring Housing Stability to Nearly 1 Million Low-Income Americans |
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(Washington, D.C.) March 7, 2024 — The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) applauds President Joe Biden for his call to expand the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Low-income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. As part of the proposed HCV program expansion, the President is calling for a voucher guarantee for low-income veterans and youth aging out of foster care. Notably, President Biden is the first U.S. President to call for a portion of federally assisted housing to be classified as a guarantee. “President Biden’s call for voucher and LIHTC expansion would immediately bring housing stability to nearly one million low-income Americans who are one lost paycheck or unforeseen health event away from homelessness,” said Sunia Zaterman, CLPHA executive director. “Moreover, the President’s extraordinary call to guarantee vouchers for low-income veterans and youth aging out of foster care is a transformative measure that would bring much-needed certainty to a portion of federal housing funding. This demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding housing stability for our nation's most vulnerable populations.” This year’s State of the Union address is considered by many to be the kickoff of President Biden’s 2024 election campaign. “It is clear after tonight that President Biden intends to make housing a top election priority,” said Zaterman. “We encourage President Biden to become the housing president by creating a comprehensive long-term plan for a sustainable future for public housing that would include the recapitalization of the public housing portfolio, permanent expansion of the Housing Choice Voucher program, and a cross-sector approach that includes housing, health, and education. We look forward to working with the President on such a plan.” |
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### Media Contact: David Greer, CLPHA
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(Washington, D.C.) November 25, 2024 – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement upon the nomination of Scott Turner to be Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), whose members serve over 2.2 million people, including over 480,000 children, across the country, congratulates Scott Turner on his nomination as Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our nation is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis, and PHAs offer critical affordable housing opportunities to the most vulnerable families in their communities. Safe, stable, and affordable housing is central to breaking the cycle of poverty and expanding economic, education, and health opportunities. We look forward to working with Mr. Turner on our shared goal of improving the lives of low-income Americans who, for a variety of reasons, have been left behind economically, and lifting up the communities where they live through safe and affordable housing.” |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
Media Contact: (202) 550-1381 |
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(Washington, D.C.) August 19, 2024 – Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement upon the release of Vice President Kamala Harris' and Governor Tim Walz's housing plan at a rallty in North Carolina on Friday: "The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds the Harris-Walz campaign for its historic call for more affordable housing measures in its economic plan released on Friday in North Carolina. By every measure, low-income Americans are experiencing crisis levels of housing instability and homelessness. CLPHA strongly supports the Harris Walz campaign’s call for an expansion of tax incentives for affordable rental housing, an innovation fund for low-income housing, and expansion of the child tax credit, which would contribute to decreasing housing instability and homelessness among American’s most vulnerable families. 'We are hopeful that the tax incentives for affordable rental housing are at a scale that would generate as much affordable housing production or more as the low-income housing tax credit provisions in the bipartisan tax bill. The child tax credit improves a low-income parent’s ability to afford housing, which increases housing stability and improves children’s health outcomes. 'CLPHA will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the affordability and sustainability of public and affordable housing throughout this campaign which includes fully funding the public housing capital and operating funds, expanding the Housing Choice Voucher program, and prioritizing cross-sector approaches for housing, health and education." |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
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(Washington, D.C.) November 17, 2023 — Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement upon the Biden-Harris administration’s announcement yesterday of the U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health and the CHIP Health-Related Social Needs Framework:: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds the Biden-Harris administration’s publication of the U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health and the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Health-Related Social Needs Framework. President Biden and HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge have led the nation in raising awareness of the foundational role that housing plays in improving life outcomes for low-income Americans throughout the President’s term. “CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative has driven the conversation for a decade on how best to bridge the housing and health sectors to improve the life outcomes of residents living in federally assisted housing. CLPHA has long supported public policies cited in the Framework such as evidence-based interventions to support housing and nutrition needs for certain Medicaid enrollees. CLPHA has also advocated for innovative solutions like waivers for Medicaid through its 1115 demonstration that allow for housing-related assistance. “With current programs proving beneficial and innovative programs being developed we know we have the answers. Yet, for these programs to be successful they must be funded at a level that meets the need. Unfortunately, they are not funded at those levels currently. While announcements like these are important in raising the awareness of the foundational role of housing in improving health outcomes, we must continue to advocate for increased resources, including incentivizing PHA/Medicaid partnerships, so they can deliver the benefits they are designed to achieve.” |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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 week, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman was quoted in The Washington Post's article "In George Floyd’s old neighborhood, Biden’s war on poverty faces a crucial test." The article examines the potential impacts of President Biden's American Rescue Plan on families in poverty through a focus on Houston's Cuney Homes public housing community, where George Floyd lived much of his life before his killing in police custody.
“If we don’t make a difference in individual lives, then we really haven’t done the job yet,” Zaterman said of the Biden plan's antipoverty efforts. “The folks in the community that George Floyd grew up in — that is our test of whether our models, our resources, our impact has hit our target.”
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 (journal@c-span.org), Twitter, Facebook and text messages (202-748-8003).
From the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino's newsletter:
The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) is honored to be recognized by Hope Through Housing (HTH) as their 2024 Government Partner of the Year. HTH was founded by National Community Renaissance (National CORE) in 1998 to bring resources and programs to residents of the housing communities they develop. HACSB was selected by HTH to receive this recognition “for its ongoing commitment to address the community’s housing challenges, creating innovative solutions and helping secure safe and sustainable housing for low-income residents.” Our collaborative work was honored at this year’s Hope Through Housing fundraising gala. Members of HACSB’s executive leadership and Board of Commissioners attended the gala to receive the award. HACSB was also honored to receive recognitions for the achievement from Representatives Judy Chu and Norma Torres, and State Assemblymember James Ramos.
HACSB and National CORE’s partnership dates back twelve years, reflecting the success of a shared vision and aligned goals. The product of this collaboration is the 30-acre Arrowhead Grove community, which includes 283 affordable housing units built over three phases and is currently entering its fourth phase of development. This development project, located in the heart of San Bernardino, brings not only new affordable housing, but also enhancements of the neighborhood such as sidewalk upgrades, bikeways, bus stop improvements, urban greening and high visibility crosswalks.
Thank you to Hope Through Housing, National CORE, and their incredible teams for this honor. We look forward to continuing our collaborative work serving the families of San Bernardino County.
From the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's website:
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) WiFi On Wheels (W.O.W.) CyberBus is hitting the road for our nation’s capital to convene with national colleagues during the annual ConnectHomeUSA Summit.
Staff will travel to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dec. 10-12, 2024, to discuss the HACP’s innovative Digital Literacy Initiatives programs, and give tours of our CyberBus.
The W.O.W. CyberBus is a mobile classroom equipped with computers and internet access that offers remote instruction in STEM education, computer science, financial literacy, and business development for students and parents in HACP communities. It was launched in an effort to bring broadband internet access to residents’ homes in the HACP’s continued mission to bridge the digital divide within the region.
The CyberBus was launched in fall 2022, in partnership with Jerome Bettis’ The Bus Stops Here Foundation and Pittsburgh’s STEM Coding Lab. Since its launch, the CyberBus has helped more than 500 clients achieve proficiency in various computer programs.
During the summit, the HACP will be presented with an inaugural ConnectHomeUSA Trailblazer Award in recognition of its groundbreaking digital literacy initiatives. Staff will also speak on the topic: “Making the Momentum Last: Building Sustainable Digital Inclusion Programs,” and share the success of the CyberBus and anticipated 2025 arrival of the Workforce on Wheels (W.O.W.) CyberBus 2.0 that will expand upon the HACP’s workforce development training opportunities across the region.
“HACP made a steadfast commitment to bridge the digital divide in our community and has made great advancements toward this goal in recent years,” said HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion. “We are very proud to take our act on the road to showcase best practices in digital learning and to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle to bring low-income populations – both rural and urban – online and equipped to succeed in the digital age.”
In 2022, the CyberBus traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for the Super Bowl and brought technology to several underserved communities, including the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Housing Division. Residents were able to experience the many features the bus has to offer. The staff also provided 20 Samsung tablets to exceptional students, which were chosen by a local high school.
In 2024, the CyberBus headed to Detroit, Michigan during the NFL Draft and brought programming and devices to children who belong to various chapters of the Boys & Girls Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan.
“The CyberBus has previously traveled to high profile events like the Super Bowl in Phoenix and the NFL Draft in Detroit,” literature from ConnectHomeUSA reads. “The HUD CHUSA team has the honor of hosting them at HUD Headquarters so that CHUSA communities can get a first-hand view of all that the CyberBus offers and what it’s like to use a computer lab on a bus!”
From the District of Columbia Housing Authority's press release:
Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), alongside the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and nonprofit developer Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), celebrated a historic milestone for the Barry Farm-Hillsdale community with the grand opening of The Asberry, a 108-unit mixed-use building and the first on-site building delivered under the New Communities Initiative (NCI) at Barry Farm. Officials and community members also broke ground on The Edmonson, a 139-unit affordable mixed-use property and the second new construction building on site.
“As a city, we made Barry Farm residents a promise under our New Communities Initiative – that we would welcome residents back into fantastic, safe, and affordable housing that honors and preserves the rich legacy of the community,” said Mayor Bowser. “Today, we take another step forward in delivering on our promise in a way that respects and celebrates the history – and future – of Barry Farm-Hillsdale.”
Located at 1200 Sumner Road SE, adjacent to the Barry Farm Recreation Center, The Asberry is the first building completed as part of the redevelopment of the historically significant Barry Farm-Hillsdale community. Established in 1867, Barry Farm was created to provide formerly enslaved African Americans with the opportunity to own land and build a self-sustaining community after the Civil War.
DCHA and POAH serve as co-developers for the site. Once completed, the Barry Farm redevelopment will feature a vibrant mixed-income community with at least 900 new affordable rental and for-sale housing units, including 380 public housing replacement units. The Barry Farm redevelopment project has so far created a total of 351 construction jobs for DC residents, with the highest percentage going to residents living in Ward 7 (68) and Ward 8 (92).
“This is a watershed moment for our DCHA families who had made Barry Farm Dwellings such a special place to live,” said Keith Pettigrew, DCHA Executive Director. “The opening of The Asberry gives our returning residents an opportunity to live in new, modern homes and creates a foundation for reestablishing the vibrant, spirited Barry Farm community for generations to come. Thank you to our partners in this project for bringing quality affordable housing options to Anacostia while honoring the Barry Farm-Hillsdale legacy.”
The Asberry, which has 77 replacement units for former Barry Farm residents, is a 100% affordable, 55+ senior preference residential property with 33 units at 30% of Median Family Income (MFI), 44 units at 50% MFI, 21 units at 60% MFI, and 10 units at 80% MFI. It also includes 5,096 square feet of commercial space and amenities include a sundeck, courtyard, fitness center, recreation room, and wellness room. Construction was completed in October 2024. The Edmonson will be the second newly constructed building in the redevelopment project, which is being led by co-developers DCHA and POAH. It will include 139 affordable units, including 52 two-bedroom units. The Edmonson will also have 50 replacement units for former Barry Farm Dwellings residents, 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, shared community spaces, and outdoor amenities.
“We are excited to celebrate the progress of the Barry Farm Redevelopment Project with the grand opening of The Asberry and the groundbreaking of the forthcoming Edmonson,” said Maia Shanklin-Roberts, Vice President of Real Estate Development, POAH. “These milestones represent not just buildings, but a vibrant future for this community—one rooted in opportunity, equity, and connection. It’s an honor to be part of a development that prioritizes quality, affordability, and the preservation of the rich history of Barry Farm, while paving the way for generations to thrive.”
DMPED invested approximately $43 million in Phase 1 of the redevelopment, including roughly $14.5 million towards construction of The Asberry. The five-story building also was funded by $33.7 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by the DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA).
“Mayor Bowser is delivering on the promises the District made as a city to the Barry Farm–Hillsdale community,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert. “DMPED is proud to be a part of this incredible partnership that is fostering inclusive growth and delivering the type of housing, amenities, and opportunities that residents want and deserve. And we’re just getting started.”
For The Edmonson, DCHFA issued $61.1 million in tax-exempt bonds and underwrote $52 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity. DMPED also provided a $21 million NCI loan. A $2.5 million grant from the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia and $3 million in financing from DC Green Bank is supporting a community geothermal system, which provides energy efficiencies, cost savings, and sustainability.
“The Barry Farm community is a site full of history and culture. The Asberry is the next chapter and a resurrection of that culture. Seniors, our long-term residents can now return to wonderful homes that are beautiful, healthy, and affordable,” said Christopher E. Donald, Executive Director/CEO, DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). “DCHFA is proud to continue investing in the redevelopment of Barry Farm. The Edmonson is the Agency’s second investment. We eagerly anticipate what is to come and look forward to much more in subsequent phases of redevelopment of Barry Farm.”
By using an innovative Faircloth-to-RAD conversion approach, the Barry Farm redevelopment will increase the number of affordable housing units available at the site. Once complete, the project will create at least 900 residential units across several buildings – including at least 380 affordable replacement units onsite for former Barry Farm residents, an additional 320 other affordable units and 100 homeownership units; community-serving retail spaces; and a large central park with community facilities for on-site services and programs.
Run through a partnership with DMPED and DCHA, NCI is a District government program that was created to redevelop distressed public housing communities into vibrant mixed-income neighborhoods. Barry Farm is one of four NCI projects, along with Northwest One which officially opened in Ward 6 in late 2022; Lincoln Heights – Richardson Dwellings in Ward 7, where hundreds of replacement units have been delivered; and Park Morton in Ward 1, where construction is underway.
From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's website:
Late last year, the Highrise Health Alliance (HHA) received a $100,000 grant to further its work supporting MPHA resident health outcomes. After spending the last several months listening to residents’ priorities, the HHA is readying its plan to deploy this grant on a series of new and existing programs and initiatives that address residents’ top needs and concerns.
The Highrise Health Alliance is a cross-sector partnership between MPHA and the City of Minneapolis Health Department working to improve the health outcomes of MPHA’s high-rise residents. The $100,000 was granted to HHA members back in late 2023. In addition to the funds, the group was selected to participate in a nine-month leadership development program focused on public health called the Public Health Regenerative Leadership Synergy (PHEARLESS) initiative.
Over the last few months, MPHA resident leader Shirley Brown, MPHA Assistant Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives Rachel Almburg, and HHA members Jennie Meinz and Abdulkadir G. Mohamed have hosted MPHA resident listening sessions and workshops to identify resident health priorities. At the top of that list is improving communication around mental health between residents, building management, and on-site Volunteers of America staff. Additionally, residents expressed wanting additional support for new resident move-ins, especially for those coming out of homelessness and/or housing programs that offered supplemental mental health services.
Hearing this feedback from residents, HHA, through the PHEARLESS grant, is funding three initiatives to meet these needs. It will fund behavioral health peer support groups across at least seven buildings, social connection events initiated by residents, and improvements to new resident move-in materials, staff trainings, and regularly distributed relevant heath information to all residents.
Specifically, more than half of the grant will be directed to continuing behavioral health peer support groups across seven buildings led by Neighborhood HealthSource, MN Recovery Connection, and Volunteers of America. These support groups are already in place and are cultivating ongoing relationships. Funding these groups will ensure the continuation of care as existing grant funding expires. The existing behavioral health peer support groups will not see any lapse of care with the funding source change. Instead, programming will continue as usual for its beneficiaries.
About a fourth of the grant will support social connection events to aid community building and improve mental health. This portion of the funding will work as a mini-grant process, allowing residents to generate event ideas and be allocated funds to carry out the idea. Events may include sponsoring a variety of things from an educational speaker visit or yoga class to bingo or crafts. The HHA plans to start the mini grant application and dispersing process in 2025.
Additionally, small portions of the funding will also support revamping new resident move-in materials and provide supportive behavioral health resources, trainings for staff, service providers, residents on select topics (trauma informed, crisis response, etc.), and the regular distribution of general behavioral health informational resources.
The $100,000 grant covers the cost of programming through the end of 2025. After 2025, the HHA is hoping to fund the programs leveraging existing partnerships and new grant opportunities. With the continuum of programming being a high priority for HHA, future funding options are already being pursued.