Welcome to CLPHA's Press Room
CLPHA experts welcome interview requests from print, radio, television, and online reporters and are happy to provide their insights on issues of public housing and related legislation and policy.
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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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- Listen to HousingWire's coverage of our letter in their Daily Download podcast.
- Read HousingWire's article about our letter.
August 3, 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.
July 30, 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.
July 29, 2020
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(Washington, D.C.) July 29, 2020 -- CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement on the Republican plan for the next coronavirus relief package, the Heath, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools Act (“HEALS Act”): "The recently announced Senate Republican version of the latest coronavirus stimulus proposal is noteworthy because public housing and Housing Choice Voucher funding are included. While the amount is not equal to the funding in the HEROES Act, the fact that emergency rental assistance is included in the Republican version indicates a rare bipartisan acknowledgement that public housing and vouchers offer critical, immediate relief to those facing housing instability as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the coronavirus showing no signs of abating soon, the need for rental relief will continue to grow. CLPHA urges Republicans and Democrats to continue to prioritize the urgent needs of renters as the stimulus moves through the Congressional process."
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
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 Housing Authority of the City of Austin's (HACA) press release:
An 8-year, resident-focused redevelopment of the Pathways at Chalmers Courts neighborhood in East Austin culminated Friday with a celebration to mark the completion of one of the largest projects to date for the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA).
The third – and final – phase, the 156-unit Pathways at Chalmers Courts West, was recently completed. Earlier phases – the 86-unit Pathways at Chalmers Courts South and the 156-unit Pathways at Chalmers Courts East – debuted in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Completing the project in phases minimized resident displacement during the construction process. Combined, the three phases offer 398 mixed-income units. Unit sizes range from 1-bedroom to 4-bedrooms, allowing HACA to serve more families with children who enjoy convenient access to neighborhood schools.
The new Pathways at Chalmers Courts replaces a former HACA office building dating back to the 1980s, as well as the original, 158-unit Chalmers Courts public housing community, which was initially built between 1938 and 1942 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
“This is a tremendous day for HACA – and for the entire community,” HACA President and CEO Michael Gerber said. “We have more than doubled the total number of units, making it possible to house more of Austin’s families most in need."
“We’ve never rebuilt an entire neighborhood before. HACA worked incredibly hard to get to this point and we’re proud to be able to provide Chalmers Courts residents with beautiful new homes with energy efficient appliances, central air, washer/dryer hookups, free Google Fiber internet and a number of other amenities."
Community features include a first-of-its-kind on-site CommUnity Care medical and dental clinic, expanded Boys & Girls Club, rooftop solar panels, a splash pad and basketball court.
Local and federal officials were on hand for the celebration, including U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and District 3 Austin City Councilmember José Velásquez.
Pathways at Chalmers Courts is located in Velásquez’s Council district.
“Affordability is the most pressing issue facing the City of Austin – the urgency cannot be minimized,” Velásquez said. “I’m grateful to see Pathways at Chalmers Courts going up in District 3, helping the Austinites I serve each day by offering 300-plus units of affordable housing. We need more of it! And that’s what I’m fighting for.”
Other officials on hand include new Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Candace Valenzuela and HACA Board of Commissioners Chairman Carl S. Richie Jr. and Board Member Mary Apostolou.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to watch the transformation of Chalmers Courts,” Richie said. “We’re not stopping here though. We’re committed to East Austin. We’ve got the Rosewoood Courts redevelopment already under way, with Santa Rita Courts set to follow soon after."
Innovative federal housing programs made it possible to expand and modernize Chalmers Courts. Texas-based Carleton Companies was HACA’s development partner for all three Pathways at Chalmers Courts phases. Austin-based Nelsen Partners served as architect for the Chalmers Courts redevelopment.
“The new construction at Chalmers Courts substantially improves overall living conditions, making it possible for children to continue attending their neighborhood schools, and further helps strengthen the community ties among all the residents,” said Printice Gary, Managing Partner for Carleton Companies. “Carleton Companies couldn’t be happier to be a part of the neighborhood renaissance at Chalmers Courts.”
From WTKR 3 News Norfolk:
If you live in neighborhoods like Huntersville, Franklin Arms or Calvert’s Square, running basic every day errands can be a real challenge, with the closest grocery store in some of these communities sitting multiple miles away. This is even more of an issue for seniors and for residents who can’t drive. Luckily, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is stepping in to help.
On Wednesday, a bus of more than 100 people pulled up to the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Senior Fest at the Chartway Arena, with some coming from these neighborhoods.
“It was good and I got to see sections of the town that I’ve never scene before,” said one Norfolk resident, Geraldine Jennings, when talking about the bus ride.
Jennings says she finds it hard to run some errands in her community because she can’t drive and has trouble walking.
“We can’t walk to the store and then our scooters don’t hold that much,” she told News 3.
To combat the problem, the NRHA teamed up with Agape tours to bus residents for free to the supermarket and to certain special events like the senior expo.
“There’s not a lot of food, healthy foods, for them to be able to access in that immediate area. So having the transportation, it provides them the opportunity to get the things they need,” said NRHA’s Community Relations Manager, Corey Brooks.
Brooks says these trips aren’t just vital for the physical health for the people in these communities, but also their mental health, as seniors tend to live more isolated lives.
From WTKR News Norfolk's article "NRHA offering free rides to residents in Norfolk food deserts."
From WAVY 10 News Norfolk:
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) partnered with the United Way of South Hampton Roads and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Virginia for a Born Learning Trail in Grandy Village.
Serving as an educational resource and an opportunity for community engagement, the Born Learning Trail is set to promote early childhood literacy, education and parental involvement.
Residents of all ages will notice colorful shapes, images and numbers painted on the sidewalk while walking the Born Learning Trail. There’s also a series of 10 signs that encourage specific learning activities like counting, identifying colors or learning about nature.
“The Born Learning Trail will give the Grandy Village’s families and children opportunities to connect and learn about nature,” said Raytron White, president of the Grandy Village Tenant Management Council. “It’s a perfect opportunity to have fun learning while improving health.”
Read WAVY 10 News' article "Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority to Unveil Born Learning Trail in Grandy Village."
From KEYT News:
The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura has started construction on the Valentine Road Apartments in Ventura.
“Homelessness is one of the most vexing issues in California, particularly in Ventura we are no different than other cities and we we play a role and trying to solve homelessness in Ventura … one way of doing that is providing safe housing for those that are currently experiencing homelessness," said chief executive officer Jeffrey Lambert of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.
The housing authority secured about $32 million through the state’s HOMEKEY program to acquire the former La Quinta Hotel.
Crews are repurposing the hotel to provide more housing for the community.
“We decided to get into the homeless solution business a couple years ago … and we’ve done it in small pieces across our properties. this is the first time we’ve taken an entire property just to solve the homeless crisis Ventura," said Lambert.
Read KEYT News' article "Local housing authority beginning construction of the largest HOMEKEY project in Ventura County."
From WANE 15 News:
Fort Wayne Housing Authority broke ground on a housing development Tuesday that aims to provide supportive housing for at-risk individuals and adults facing chronic homelessness.
The project, named Hillcrest Commons, will demolish the vacant Hillcrest School and provide 24 one-bedroom units that will be subsidized through vouchers from Fort Wayne Housing Authority. Parkview Behavioral Health Institute will also provide “supportive services.”
“There is a real need for supportive housing in our nation, and Hillcrest Commons will provide a solution for families in our community who need critical wraparound services, which will help reduce cases within our city,” said George Guy, CEO and executive director of Fort Wayne Housing Authority.
The housing development will also provide a community space with a kitchen, fitness room, meeting rooms and shared laundry facilities.
Read WANE 15 News' article "Fort Wayne housing development aims to support ‘chronically homeless.’"