CLPHA Press Room

From the Daily Local News:

Senate Bill 30, introduced by state Senator Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, that would establish a state housing tax credit to incentivize private investment to create new and preserve existing affordable rental housing, passed the Senate unanimously.

“Seniors, individuals with disabilities, families and children benefit from greater availability of affordable housing,” said Killion. “And this program will promote the job creating and economic potential of private rental developers by incentivize financing to return blighted and abandoned homes to productive reuse.”

According to the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP), the Commonwealth is faced with a shortage of housing that is available and affordable, especially for households making 30 percent of median family income.

"Affordable housing is too hard to find in Pennsylvania,” said HAP Executive Director Phyllis Chamberlain. “For every 100 extremely low-income households, there are only 42 affordable units available. We support the State Housing Tax Credit because it stimulates private investment in affordable housing."

“Our housing authority is a vital driver of economic development in the City of Chester,” said Steven Fischer, Executive Director of the Chester Housing Authority. “Tax Credit developments, in particular, help to spur further development in the surrounding community. By creating good, quality homes and communities for seniors, families, and others who need assistance, and managing them well, a housing authority like ours supports jobs and growth for the entire community.”

Read the Daily Local News' article "Killion's affordable housing bill passes Senate," featuring the Chester Housing Authority.

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) was featured in a recent episode of NFL Media’s documentary series Indivisible. In the series, Nate Boyer, a former football player, visits cities with NFL teams to learn about these communities and what football means to them.

In Indivisible’s episode about Cleveland, Boyer accompanies CMHA Board Commissioner Joseph Black and CMHA police officers on a community engagement outing.

CMHA’s segment begins at the 10:57 mark. Watch the episode here.

Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) has selected Ronald Jackson as its new executive director. Mr. Jackson will begin his position on February 26, 2020.

“Ron is a highly experienced man of integrity,” said Don Musacchio, chairman of NRHA’s Board of Commissioners. “We are happy to have him join NRHA.”

Previously, Jackson served as the executive director of Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Prior to that, he was the deputy executive director for Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority. Jackson has nearly 20 years of experience in the housing industry, including working with the Chesapeake and Suffolk redevelopment and housing authorities and the Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation. He has an extensive background in redevelopment, finance, public housing, Section 8, and general administration.

CLPHA congratulates Mr. Jackson on his new position and looks forward to working with him.

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh officially appointed Kate Bennett the administrator of the Boston Housing Authority last week. Bennett had been named acting administrator following the retirement and passing of longtime BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle. Bennett joined BHA in 1998 as a senior planner and previously served as the housing authority’s senior deputy administrator.

"Kate brings a wealth of experience to this role. She has worked closely on the BHA's preservation and redevelopment initiatives, as well as with resident leaders to further expand resident empowerment throughout the organization," said Mayor Walsh. "I am excited to have her on board to help continue to lead the BHA's efforts forward to house our most vulnerable families throughout the city."

"I am excited to step into this role and work with our residents, City partners, and the broader community on the critical work of strengthening and preserving deeply affordable housing opportunities within the City," said Bennett.

CLPHA congratulates Ms. Bennett on her appointment and looks forward to continuing working with her.

From the New York City Housing Authority's NYCHANOW newsletter:

Construction has begun on Van Dyke III, a building on the campus of Van Dyke Houses that will bring 180 affordable apartments to the Brownsville, Brooklyn, community.

“Every apartment will be reserved for low-income households, with 54 apartments exclusively for formerly homeless families,” said Matthew Charney, NYCHA’s Director of Real Estate Development.

“One out of five children and families in Brownsville are living in shelters,” said Lisa Kenner, President of the Van Dyke I Resident Association. “I am pleased that the new development will provide homes for some of these families so that they can live in a stable, clean, and safe environment to grow and live productive lives.”

“NYCHA is proud to be a partner in providing this essential 100 percent affordable housing to New Yorkers,” said NYCHA Chair Greg Russ. “We must use every tool at our disposal, including underused property, to benefit low-income families. This milestone is the result of a productive and remarkable planning process, which included the voices of hundreds of residents and community advocates and demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together to address our city’s challenges.”

Read "Breaking Ground in Brooklyn: New Affordable Housing Development Rises on Van Dyke Houses Campus," in the NYCHANOW newsletter.