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.
To view all of CLPHA's press releases, click here.
To view all of CLPHA's press statements, click here.
You can subscribe here to our biweekly newsletter, events invite list, and topic specific newsletters. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CLPHA. Or, send us an email with your interests and we would be happy to add you to our press lists.
Thanks again for your interest in CLPHA!
|
(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
November 9, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
||
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 70 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s work to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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 70 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s work to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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 70 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s work to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
On August 1, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing, “America’s Affordable Housing Crisis: Challenges and Solutions.” The hearing focused primarily on the challenge of increasing the supply of affordable housing and strategies to address the significant housing cost burdens faced by many Americans. Senator Hatch opened the hearing, stating that the affordable housing crisis, “is a problem that should be ready for a bipartisan solution.” To view our write-up of the hearing, click here.
To help tackle the affordable housing issues discussed in the hearing, Senators Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced legislation, S. 548, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act. The bill would increase Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) credit authority by 50 percent, as well as enact roughly two dozen changes to strengthen the program by streamlining program rules, improving flexibility, and enabling the program to serve a wider array of local needs.
During the hearing, Committee Members expressed their support for the Cantwell-Hatch bill and there was broad bipartisan consensus that the LIHTC program is a vital tool for increasing the production of affordable housing and providing low-income households, safe, quality, affordable homes. However, there were also concerns raised regarding oversight and compliance of the program. Daniel Garcia-Diaz, director of financial markets and community investment at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), presented testimony that IRS oversight of LIHTC is minimal and that there are no robust controls in place to ensure reasonableness of costs or compliance with program requirements. According to Mr. Garcia-Diaz, the GAO recommends that HUD, as an agency with a housing mission, play a greater role in the oversight of the program.
In our Statement for the Record, CLPHA applauded the leadership the Senate Finance Committee has shown in support of LIHTC to date and encouraged the Committee to support S. 548. The bill is especially beneficial to the public housing program, which has experienced decades of underfunding and federal disinvestment. We noted that LIHTC has proven to be an extremely important preservation tool for public housing, and PHAs have a long history of leveraging private equity through LIHTCs to fill the funding gap created by decreased federal appropriations. Without the LIHTC program, preservation of their public housing stock would not be possible.
CLPHA also acknowledged that competition for more valuable 9% LIHTCs is fierce in many states and that there have been concerns within the affordable housing community about increased demand from the public housing portfolio. Increasing the allocation authority by 50 percent would support the preservation and construction of up to 400,000 additional affordable apartments over a ten-year period, including the renovation of vital public housing units that are currently at-risk. Additionally, the legislation allows for an increased basis boost for projects serving extremely low-income households. This would be particularly beneficial to housing authorities, as 75 percent of public housing residents are extremely-low income.
CLPHA has been strongly supportive of the legislation. In addition to the Statement of Record above, CLPHA has also engaged in this work as a member of the A.C.T.I.O.N. Campaign Steering Committee (A Call to Invest in Our Neighborhoods). The A.C.T.I.O.N. Campaign has taken a lead role in promoting the expansion of LIHTC, including support of S.548. Last month the Campaign submitted a letter to Senator Hatch in response to his request for comments on tax reform, urging Congress to expand and strengthen the housing credit. Along with other Steering Committee members, CLPHA endorsed and signed the letter.
As Congress takes on tax reform in the upcoming months, we will continue to support this important legislation that would provide needed resources to public housing. CLPHA members should support the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act by contacting their senators during recess to urge them to support the bill.
Two-Generation Economic Act reflects the cross-sector collaboration that CLPHA’s Housing IsInitiative promotes.
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) recently reintroduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate, calling for the development of support programs that improve family economic security by breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty through a comprehensive strategy that addresses the needs of parents and children. The Two-Generation Economic Act of 2017, or S. 435, seeks to align and link existing service systems and funding streams that currently support parents and children separately. Heinrich and Collins believe that aligning the support systems to help parents and children together will increase the whole family’s chances for success in life. The bill also establishes the Interagency Council on Multigenerational Poverty to provide guidance on two-generation programs; establish a system of coordination among agencies and organizations; identify best practices; and identify gaps, research needs, and program deficiencies.
The Two-Generation Economic Act of 2017 is a significant step in the fight against poverty. It would be the first piece of legislation to incorporate a two-generation approach aimed at increasing economic security, educational success, social capital, and health and well-being for parents and children together. In seeking to better align service systems and funding streams, the bill would give states, local governments, and tribes more flexibility to develop programs that meet their specific needs. The approach outlined in S. 435 would greatly improve the effectiveness of service delivery, and it highlights the same principles and goals around which CLPHA’s Housing Is initiative was founded, to better intersect housing and other sectors in order to improve life outcomes. CLPHA has long promoted two-generation initiatives as a best practice and has been a leader in fostering partnerships to encourage innovative solutions to address generational poverty.
The Interagency Council on Multigenerational Poverty will create a national focus on multigenerational poverty by facilitating coordinated efforts across multiple agencies and departments. This interagency collaboration will align and link fragmented systems and funding streams, resulting in holistic approaches that simultaneously address the needs of children and their parents or guardians.
A collaboration that has been in the works for several years, the Two-Generation Economic Empowerment Act includes a balance of input and interests from local service providers, families, administrators, and other stakeholders. Heinrich and Collins hope that this innovative approach will help collectively ensure that people will have an opportunity to use already existing federal resources or attract private investment to implement the two-generation approach in their community, regardless of one’s zip code.
When Senator Collins first introduced the bill, she told the story of a five-year-old girl named Arianna who was homeless, living in a tent with her family outside of Portland, ME. A state social worker worked with the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance to provide support services to the girl and her family, who are now living in an apartment near where Arianna is attending school. This is a small-scale example of the holistic approach that Collins and Heinrich wish to achieve with their legislation.
“Just as a child’s ZIP code should not determine his or her future success, neither should bureaucratic inflexibility make it so difficult for families to get the help they need to escape intergenerational poverty,” Senator Collins said.
You can learn more about the Two-Generation Economic Act of 2017 by reading this fact sheet that explains the principles of the bill or view a copy of the bill by clicking here.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Teenage residents at Jordan Downs, one of L.A.’s largest public housing communities, will earn a paycheck this summer while learning hands-on skills like carpentry and welding, launching them on pathways to careers in industries facing strong demand and a critical lack of qualified workers.
The program is made possible by the joint efforts of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, the flagship program of The Smidt Foundation, and BRIDGE Housing. BRIDGE Housing is a nonprofit housing developer participating in the $1-billion redevelopment effort of Jordan Downs. First built in the 1940s, Jordan Downs is now going through a physical transformation that includes doubling the number of residential units and adding retail and community spaces along with new parks and open spaces for residents.
“The City of Los Angeles is committed to providing opportunity to all Angelenos. The launch of this program will equip young Angelenos with hands-on experience and essential skills that can help them succeed now and in the future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “I want to recognize Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for establishing this real-world learning model and for your work to ensure L.A.’s skilled workforce remains strong.”
Operating like a construction workplace, the program uses the “earn and learn” model where students are paid while developing meaningful skills that can lead to future employment. The 15 high school-aged residents participating in the summer’s pilot program at Jordan Downs were recruited by community-based service providers to participate.
Students will complete 40 hours of hands-on project work to practice foundational trade skills, such as plumbing, electrical wiring, welding and framing a mini house. Students will also master basic skills that apply to a variety of construction disciplines, including safety, measurement, site prep and clean-up.
“The transformation of Jordan Downs goes far beyond buildings – it’s about quality of life for residents,” said BRIDGE Housing president and CEO Ken Lombard. “We jumped at the opportunity to partner with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools because we’re literally putting tools in young people’s hands to help them prepare for careers.”
Read the Los Angeles Times' article "Teens from Jordan Downs Community in Watts Getting Paid to Learn Skilled Trades This Summer."
From the Chicago Housing Authority's press release:
Davora Buchanan was shy while growing up in Trumbull Park Homes. She kept to herself and read. Then she attended CHA’s Learn and Earn program, where teenage students explore career fields like entrepreneurship, arts and technology while earning a paycheck.
“It was the first program I did outside of Trumbull, the first program where I interacted with other kids and took the bus all the way to South Suburban College,” she said. “It was a turning point, not just because of what I was learning but because of the people I met. It was a life-changing experience for me.”
Ten years later, Learn and Earn – six weeks of career exploration for CHA residents ages 13-15 that includes a $600 stipend – continues to inspire. It and other summer programs are on track to reach CHA’s performance goal of a 10 percent increase in participation (2,429) over last year (2,215) with summer earnings that are expected to reach $3 million.
The Learn and Earn experience certainly helped Buchanan, who got involved in other CHA programs like Summer Youth Employment Program. She eventually graduated from DeVry University Advantage Academy, earned a bachelors and masters in sociology and now works for Metropolitan Family Services as a Domestic Violence Advocate and Housing Coordinator doing what she loves: housing people.
“If I’m able to house one person I feel successful,” she said. “I put my all into it because someone put their all into it for me and my mother when it was time to get housed.”
Learn and Earn is one of several paid summer opportunities for CHA residents ages 13-24 that CHA is offering this summer, providing early exposure to career and education pathways and opportunities that stem potential summer learning loss. It concludes Aug. 1.
Other CHA summer programs include:
Become a Filmmaker: Participants in this award-winning program collaborate with DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts to learn all aspects of filmmaking, from story development to editing. Guided by graduate students, they create short films for global festivals, with industry expert visits and field trips. Participants earn $15.80/hour.
Be Your Own Boss: High school age participants develop a startup addressing a passion-driven problem, guided by entrepreneurs and business professionals through virtual sessions, meetings, and field trips. Youth gain skills in identifying opportunities, acquiring customers, building prototypes, and pitching to investors for lifelong success! Participants earn $15.80/hour.
Counselor in Training (CIT), a collaboration between the Chicago Housing Authority and the Chicago Park District, provides 40 teens 15 years old a summer opportunity as a counselor. Youth gain life skills and the opportunity to grow, learn and gain skills in leadership and financial capability while earning a $1,320 stipend.
CHA Student Internship Program: This program provides opportunities for college students to participate in a professional environment, building workplace skills and gaining experience for future careers. Participants earn $17.00/hour.
Movie and TV Scripts 101: Participants in this screenwriting program with DePaul University's award-winning screenwriters learn to write original screenplays through film analysis, format, style, scene craft, story structure, character development, and dialogue. The program includes writing a short movie or TV script, followed by a table read with actors from DePaul’s Theatre School, alongside industry expert visits and field trips. Participants, ages 15-20, earn $15.80/hour.
Next Level Photography: In collaboration with the DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts, participants master technical foundations, explore genres like nature and portraiture, develop personal styles, and build portfolios for freelance opportunities. Participants, ages 15-20, earn $15.80/hour.
PeacePlayers: PeacePlayers Chicago provides participants a transformative summer experience centered around fostering healthy relationships and unlocking the leader in youth. This program offers a unique blend of basketball, leadership development, career readiness, and peace building. Participants earn a $600 stipend.
Summer of Code: This program teaches programming basics using Swift, helping build a fundamental understanding and practical skills to develop a basic iOS app from start to finish, including essential user interface design principles. Participants earn $15.80/hour.
Summer Youth Employment Program: This program offers youth ages 16-24, meaningful, paid work-based opportunities with a variety of industries throughout the city. Participants earn $15.80/hour.
From the Charlotte Observer:
A Charlotte-based reentry organization renewed a contract with Inlivian on July 3 to support families recognized by a federal law that ensures children lacking stable housing receive an education.
The Freedom Fighting Missionaries board of directors allocates the vouchers to families with children currently recognized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Inlivian is a nonprofit formerly known as the Charlotte Housing Authority.
Freedom Fighting Missionaries announced the contract renewal.
Through funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, low-income families can rent safe, affordable homes thanks to the Inlivian vouchers.
Families who join the program will receive a voucher that enables Inlivian to pay the property management or owner directly for a portion of their rent.
Freedom Fighting Missionaries said in a news release that over 5,400 children in Charlotte are enrolled in the program.
Read the Charlotte Observer's article "Charlotte nonprofit expands housing support to homeless parents with prior convictions."
From the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority's press release:
In always looking for better ways to improve on protecting the environment and saving costs, Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) continues to lead the way. Members of the CMHA Housing Development team are participating in The Clean Air Academy from May 2024 to November 2024 with The Rocky Mountain Institute and America Is All In organizations. CMHA is one of only 15 scholarship recipients with over 90 agencies submitting a project application. This is a prestigious honor bestowed on the organization.
The academy runs for six months and includes a workshop series to actively engage experts in the fields of utilizing clean power, building, and transportation investments as well as the adoption of solar power, EV chargers, and fleet electrification options in the building and rehabilitation of CMHA properties. Additionally, there is a support department for technical assistance as well as tools and resources to help the organization establish strong designing and planning of clean energy implementation that qualifies for federal tax credits. Gary Boeres, CMHA Development Director stated, “With this class, CMHA will be able to better leverage funds and look for energy efficient models that can be implemented into new and rehab projects.
The goal for CMHA Development’s participation in the academy is to secure federal tax funding and financing for projects developed using clean energy technology that aligns with clean energy initiatives and institute infrastructure into the agency that produces cleaner power, uses less energy, and saves energy costs.
RMI, an America is All In contributing partner, is working with communities throughout the US to take up clean energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act with the ultimate goals of reducing emissions, increase resilience, and advance social equity. Over the past two years, the team has educated over 1,000 organizations about the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy incentives and helped to advance climate-forward policies in multiple states. The Rocky Mountain Institute (academy co-creator) https://rmi.org/about/.
Doug Guthrie, board member of CLPHA and president & CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), recently announced his retirement and departure from the agency, effective August 1, 2024.
"On behalf of CLPHA and our board, I would like to thank Doug for his outstanding service and leadership,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, president of CLPHA’s board and CEO of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. “His tremendous impact on the public and affordable housing sector extends far beyond LA, reaching cities like Cleveland. We greatly appreciate his contributions to CLPHA and our industry, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter."
"I’ve been honored to work closely with Doug on the issues facing California housing authorities and the low-income families we serve, as well as on CLPHA’s board to advocate on behalf of PHAs nationally,” said La Shelle Dozier, vice president of CLPHA’s board and executive director of the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency. “Our peers will miss his leadership, expertise, and vision for how PHAs can make transformative impacts in their communities. Best wishes, Doug, on your retirement.”
“Doug has long been a leader in the CLPHA community and has been instrumental in shaping our goals and priorities since being elected to our board in 2013,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of CLPHA. His leadership on addressing homelessness and revitalizing aging public housing stock is a model for housing authorities across the country. His wisdom, experience, and passion for expanding affordable housing opportunities are unparalleled. We thank Doug for his partnership and leadership and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Under Guthrie’s leadership, HACLA greatly expanded its capacity, growing to become the second largest housing authority in the country, providing housing assistance to nearly 130,000 households with a budget of $2 billion. Additionally, during his tenure, HACLA achieved many milestones, including: successfully kicking off the redevelopment of Jordan Downs and initiating development of both Rose Hills and Rancho San Pedro; creating Bridge Housing for the homeless; acquiring nearly 2,400 units of housing under Project Homekey; partnering with the City on the commitment of nearly 30,000 Section 8 vouchers towards addressing homelessness, including over 10,000 project based vouchers in 220 developments of permanent and supportive housing; and implementing a 25-year Vision Plan, “Build Hope,” laying the groundwork for the future of HACLA. Guthrie leaves after 12 years at HACLA and over 40 years in the industry overall.
Prior HACLA, over the course of four decades in the affordable housing industry he held positions at the Los Angeles Housing Department, Kimball Hill Urban Centers, the National Equity Fund, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Pursuant to HACLA’s Bylaws and Succession Plan, Marlene Garza, Chief Administrative Officer, will serve as the Acting CEO effective August 2, 2024, pending the appointment of an interim or permanent CEO.