CLPHA Press Room

From WPXI Pittsburgh:

 A new housing community is available for senior members of the LGBTQ+ community in Pittsburgh.

Mosaic Apartments is on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, on property donated by UPMC and Pitt.

It is meant to offer adorable housing to seniors in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

The apartment is the first of its kind in Western Pennsylvania and only the second like it in the state. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Nov. 25.

“This day represents a first step forward in addressing the housing needs of an underserved population,” said Jim Pieffer, President and CEO of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. “There is an urgent need for safe, welcoming spaces where LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies can thrive without fear of discrimination or exclusion.”

Those behind the project say they’re looking toward future communities as well.

“We also hope that this new community will spur people in existing apartment complexes to make them more LGBTQ friendly and more welcoming in the future as well,” Pieffer said.

The $28.5 million development was funded by public and private partners, including: Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Huntington National Bank, U.S. Bank, National Equity Fund, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and 20 other foundations.

Read WPXI Pittsburgh's article "New affordable housing community opens for LGBTQ+ seniors in Pittsburgh."

3,000+ Jobs Created for Residents and Community Members

Rep. Maxine Waters Gives Remarks at Celebration Event

From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) joined local and federal leaders, business partners, community advocates, and residents to celebrate the 10th anniversary of HACLA’s Section 3 program. The milestone event---held at Jordan Downs’ Kalmia Rose apartments--- a flagship development in partnership with BRIDGE Housing--- served as a powerful testament to the program’s role as a vital economic engine for our city.

A federal initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Section 3 ensures that when public dollars are used to build or improve communities, the economic benefits stay local. By partnering with contractors and developers, HACLA’s Section 3 program transforms construction sites into classrooms and job sites into careers—prioritizing employment, training, and scholarships for low-income residents. 

“Over the past ten years, HACLA’s Section 3 program has proven public investment is most powerful when it acts as an economic multiplier,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, HACLA President & CEO. “We aren’t just building housing we are fueling economic opportunity. By creating 3,000 jobs and reinvesting in residents' education, we are ensuring that funds circulate back in the pockets of our families and neighborhoods. This is how we move from public investment to lasting upward mobility!” 

A Decade of Impact by the Numbers: 

•  3,000+ jobs created for residents and community members. 
•  $23 million awarded to Section 3-certified businesses. 
•  $270,000+ in college scholarships for Public Housing and Section 8 residents. 
•  $10,000+ provided for vocational tuition, certifications, and union dues. 
•  30+ financial literacy and construction-related training programs hosted. 

“We can see that Section 3 is working and HACLA has done this exceptionally well. When we look at the jobs that HACLA has created, these numbers are extraordinary,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters. “This program and its success are proof that when you work hard, and you believe that every human being deserves to be respected and have a decent quality of life, you can make it happen.”  

This impact is sustained by a robust network of public-private partnerships.  

“What we’ve been able to accomplish over the last ten years through the Section 3 program is remarkable,” said HACLA Board Chair Cielo Castro. “As Section 3 continues to grow, so will the opportunities it creates, for residents ready to work, for families building stability, and for communities that deserve investments. We’ve accomplished a lot together, but the work continues. I’m excited about the next ten years as HACLA creates more opportunities, more mobility, and stronger communities.” 

Over the last decade, HACLA has collaborated with key partners including BRIDGE Housing, Portrait Construction, TMO, Walton Construction, Primestor Development, Related California, Staples, EFI Global, Reno & Cavanaugh, PLLC, and U.S. Bank to bridge the gap between housing and economic opportunity. 

“EFI Global is proud to support HACLA’s Section 3 programs and provide meaningful impact to the community through job opportunities and scholarships,” said Shayan Simantob, Vice President, EFI Global, Inc. “Our participation in these programs has been most rewarding, and it is an honor to see participants grow in their educational and professional careers through new opportunities.” 

“Being able to be a small part of the redevelopment of my community has been a great privilege for me, and I look forward to seeing how my community benefits from these changes, said Jose Mateo, Pueblo Del Sol Resident and Section 3 Participant. “Through the Section 3 program, Portrait Construction, took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to get my foot in the construction industry. For this, I am forever grateful to them.”  

From NBC 4 News Columbus:

 An affordable housing development designed to expand living options for adults with disabilities moved a step toward construction this month after receiving approval from Dublin planning officials.

The city’s planning and zoning commission recommended approval on Jan. 15 of the final development plan for All In Dublin, a four-story, 75-unit multifamily project planned for a 1.6-acre vacant site at the corner of Dublin Center Drive and West Dublin Granville Road. The development is expected to cost about $24 million.

All In Dublin is being developed by All Inclusive Living in partnership with TFG Housing Resources and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer, with residents expected to move in by fall 2027.

...

Housing for residents with disabilities will be supported through Section 811 rental assistance, a federal program that helps low-income adults with disabilities afford housing.

“Projects like All In Dublin will serve individuals and families who desperately need affordable, inclusive housing, and we are proud to play a role in making this vision a reality,” said Robert Bitzenhofer, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority vice president of planning and development.

Read NBC 4 News' article "Housing project for adults with disabilities advances in Dublin."

From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' (HACLA) press release:

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) has been named a 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA).  The award marks HACLA as a national leader in the fight to ensure that high-speed internet, devices, and digital literacy are no longer luxuries--- but fundamental tools to opportunity and success.  This year, HACLA joins 58 other Digital Inclusion Trailblazers paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the US. 

“This recognition places our agency among national leaders who are committed to measurable action including connection to jobs, education, and healthcare,” said HACLA President & CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez. “Being named a ‘Trailblazer’ reinforces our commitment that every HACLA resident has the tools and training necessary to thrive in a digital-first world. We aren’t just providing internet; we are providing a pathway to opportunity.” 

HACLA achieved Trailblazer status by meeting rigorous national standards across seven categories of best practices.  Key initiatives that drove the agency’s success include: 

• The Digital Ambassador Program: A peer-led initiative that provides hands-on tech support and training directly within residential communities. 

• Strategic ISP Partnerships: Collaborations with providers like Starry, Verizon, AT&T, and Spectrum to bring affordable, high-speed infrastructure to public housing. 

• Device Access & Learning Centers: On-site Technology Learning Clubs (TLC) and Community Learning Centers that provide the hardware and space needed for digital growth. 

• Inter-Agency Collaboration: Partnerships with the Mayor’s Office, the Economic & Workforce Development Department, and Cal State University Dominguez Hills to integrate digital skills with career readiness. 

“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations can’t reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in today’s digital world, we need all hands-on-deck,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazer program exemplifies the key role of local governments in building digital opportunities for all of their residents.” 

Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions. 

From the Boston Housing Authority's press release:

Mayor Michelle Wu, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), and residents today joined federal, state, and local partners to celebrate the completion of The Amp, the third and final phase of Flat 9 at Whittier, a HUD Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment in Roxbury. 

The milestone marks the full transformation of the Whittier Street Apartments in Roxbury, which launched with the support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. In 2016, HUD awarded a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant to the City of Boston and the Boston Housing Authority as co-grantees, supporting housing redevelopment, resident services, and broader neighborhood investment.

“Whittier has long been a foundation for Roxbury families,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This redevelopment is transformational for the city, bringing even more affordable housing and deeper connections to the neighborhood than before the project began. I’m grateful to work with Congresswoman Pressley and our local, state, federal and nonprofit partners who helped deliver this project.” 

“The completion of The Amp at Flat 9 is a powerful example of what’s possible when we commit to investing in our communities with intention and care,” said State Senator Liz Miranda. “The transformation of the Whittier Street Apartments represents more than new buildings, it reflects a promise to Roxbury families that they deserve safe, dignified housing and vibrant community spaces. I’m proud to celebrate this milestone with the residents, partners, and leaders who made this vision a reality and who continue to show what equitable development can look like in our city.”

Originally built in the early 1950s, the 200 public housing units at Whittier Street Apartments have been home to generations of low-income Boston families. The multi-year redevelopment has replaced those units with 210 deeply-affordable homes and created 262 additional mixed-income rental units across the site and within the nearby neighborhood, a total of 472 units of housing. The project also introduced new streets, retail space, play areas, and pedestrian-friendly design that integrates the development into the surrounding community.

“This celebration is more than a decade in the making. We could not be more proud to welcome our Whittier families home and to celebrate a project that brings new life and critical new housing opportunities to the Roxbury neighborhood,” said Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok. “This project is a reminder of what we can achieve when federal, state, and local partners work together to deliver the housing our families deserve.”

The Amp is a 12-story, mixed-income residential building located at the corner of Tremont, Ruggles, and Whittier Streets. Completed in September 2025, it adds 172 apartment homes ranging from studios to two-bedroom units, along with shared community spaces, roof decks, a fitness room, landscaped outdoor areas, and approximately 9,000 square feet of commercial space intended to support neighborhood-serving uses.

“We are thrilled to reach this important milestone in the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Whittier public housing site into a vibrant mixed income community with access to jobs and cultural amenities,” said Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH). “The Amp furthers Mayor Wu’s and Governor Healey’s goal to expand affordable housing production near public transit while providing much needed commercial space for local business so the Roxbury community can continue to thrive.”

Flat 9 at Whittier was developed in three phases. Phase One, completed in January 2020, delivered 92 family-sized apartments with a community lounge and playground and created 76 additional mixed-income apartments—including 43 BHA replacement units—nearby in Madison Park Village. Phase Two, completed in December 2021, added 52 mixed-income units with shared community spaces. Phase Three, The Amp, completes the redevelopment and introduces a high-rise residential building with modern amenities and commercial space.

All three phases were developed through a partnership among POAH, the Boston Housing Authority and Madison Park Development Corporation. All phases include both affordable and market-rate housing.

In addition to its transformational housing investments, the HUD Choice Neighborhood initiative invests in people and in community-based programs to help residents achieve their personal and financial goals. With the help of this programming, four Whittier families were able to purchase a home with support from BHA and the City of Boston, while others achieved new educational and professional milestones.

The City of Boston invested $8.8 million towards Flat Nine at Whittier, including direct investments in the first two phases, and significant infrastructure and neighborhood investments that supported the whole project. The State Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) invested more than $24 million in direct subsidy, and significant state and federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits towards the project.

Residents and community stakeholders were deeply involved in planning the redevelopment, which began in 2013. Community priorities—including open space, public art, bike infrastructure, and access to transit—shaped the final design.