CLPHA Press Room

From The San Diego Union-Tribune:

The first tenants have begun moving into Father Joe’s Villages’ Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa, and rooms still are available for qualified veterans facing homelessness or in need of low-income housing.

The 14-story East Village building has been under construction on the corner of 14th and Commercial streets for two years and will provide homes for more than 500 people. The 407 rooms include 80 specifically for veterans who were honorably discharged, and about half are still available.

The project was developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation, a nonprofit developer that has created 12,000 affordable units in California. Other local projects include the 203-room Alpha Square in downtown San Diego, the 168-room Hunter’s Pointe in Carlsbad and the 204-room Fairbanks Ridge in 4S Ranch.

Adam Gutteridge, director of asset management for Chelsea Investment Corp., said they have been working with Father Joe’s Villages, Veterans Village of San Diego, the San Diego Housing Commission and Coalition for Supportive Housing to get the word out to veterans that rooms in their new project are available. Qualifications include being honorably discharged from the military.

“What we’re trying to do is create an integrated community,” Gutteridge said. “It’s not just for homeless people. Some people may not think they’re a candidate to live at Saint Teresa, but they are.”

Read The San Diego Union-Tribune's article "Housing available for low-income, homeless vets," featuring the San Diego Housing Commission.

From the Fairfax County Times:

The  Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a little more than $33 million in financing support for the development of 175 affordable homes – to be known as Dominion Square West. The development is the first step of a two-phase plan to bring affordable housing and needed community amenities to the Tysons area. 

Coupled with an additional $10 million from the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), this funding sets the stage for a unique public-private partnership that will offer an extraordinary opportunity for housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households in one of the county’s largest activity centers. The project also marks the first development to utilize affordable housing proffer contributions from commercial developers in Tysons.

“The 175-Unit Dominion Square West building will be a significant and positive step forward in providing affordable housing for working families close to Metrorail. This important project will provide much-needed housing for families and individuals working in Tysons and at locations all along the Silver Line, and beyond,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. “When the Board of Supervisors adopted the updated Comprehensive Plan for Tysons in 2010 it included a call for developers of commercial properties to make a contribution to affordable housing in Tysons at $3 per square foot.  This is the first such affordable housing proposal to use these proffered funds and I look forward to the life-changing impact these new homes will have on working families succeeding and thriving.”

Read the Fairfax County TImes' article "Fairfax County approves funding to support development of 175 affordable homes at Dominion Square," featuring the Fairfax County Redevelopment & Housing Authority.

From the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's press release:

A greener future is on the horizon, and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is helping lead the way.

HACP is proud to announce that it is expanding its commitment to sustainable development by joining the Green Building Alliance’s Pittsburgh 2030 District. Composed of over 550 buildings, the Pittsburgh 2030 District is a collective of property owners making voluntary commitments to reduce their carbon emissions, energy usage, water usage, and emissions from transportation by the year 2030.

“This is the next step,” said HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion. “We’ve been working hard to make our buildings and developments more eco-friendly, but this will bring that commitment to the next level.”

As part of the Pittsburgh 2030 District, HACP has pledged to reduce carbon emissions for existing buildings by 50-65% and keep new construction carbon neutral by the year 2030. Not only will this initiative reduce energy and water consumption, it will also make building operations more efficient, modernizing HACP’s property portfolio and saving money.

“It’s a big win for everyone,” said Mr. Binion. “It’s a win for us, it’s a win for the city, it’s a win for our residents. And, it’s a win for the planet.”

The Pittsburgh 2030 District gives HACP the opportunity to scale up its sustainability efforts and work with other property owners and developers on a regional level. With access to new monthly discussions, performance inspections, and peer networks, HACP is set to build on its success and enhance its role in moving the Pittsburgh area towards a more sustainable future.

Read HACP's press release.

From The Denver Gazette:

Denver's Department of Housing Stability and Mayor Michael Hancock launched a housing initiative Tuesday with a goal of getting 400 homeless residents housed in 100 days. 

Denver launched a similar initiative at the beginning of September with the goal of housing 200 people. Officials said 576 people were housed at 346 households during that initiative.

These housing surges became possible after the city and county were given housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Together with our partners, we're housing people every day, including individuals from shelters and those living on the streets," Hancock said in a news release. "Through this boosted push, we're further aligning the good work of many providers and deploying additional resources to achieve an even greater impact."

Officials said the housing surge will fulfill the city's goals by using the housing vouchers, while also utilizing rapid resolution, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing. 

Nonprofits and homeless services partners are collaborating to achieve the surge's goals for a second time. Denver Housing Authority, Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, Community Solutions and Homebase are among the organizations coordinating and supporting the effort, according to the city. 

Read The Denver Gazette's article "Denver launches initiative to house 400 homeless residents in 100 days," featuring the Denver Housing Authority.

From KSAT San Antonio:

Derailed primarily by public outcry, instead of a public-private partnership, the San Antonio Housing Authority is asking the community to “Reimagine Alazan,” a master plan for the city’s oldest and most historic housing project.

“This is the residents’ and the community’s master plan, not our master plan,” said Mario Pena, whose firm, Able City, was selected to oversee the project.

..

“We’re hear to listen,” Pena said.

But even beyond the initial public input, Pena said there will be check-ins throughout the design process.

“We need acknowledgment from the community that we’re headed in the right direction, and so we check in for that acknowledgment all the way through to the end,” Pena said.

Among the first to raise concerns about possibly demolishing units and displacing residents, Teri Castillo went on to become the city council member representing District 5.

In a statement, Castillo said she was pleased to know SAHA is hosting the meetings to get input from residents and neighbors “to ensure the master plan reflects community priorities.”

Read KSAT San Antonio's article "SAHA asks community to ‘Reimagine Alazan’ for its master plan."