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.
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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
(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 |
From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's website:
As the largest public housing provider in the state and with a capital backlog of more than $229 million, MPHA has a lot of construction and renovation work to complete. For the most complex projects, MPHA routinely contracts with local construction companies to supplement the work of its own in-house team of skilled maintenance and trades persons (ex. high-rise fire suppression system installations). In 2023, MPHA contracted with local firms more than 590,000 labor hours, nearly 165,000 of which is this type of construction work, all of which pays prevailing wage rates.
Beyond helping more than 26,000 people access safe, stable, affordable housing every day, the agency is committed to helping build a more equitable Minneapolis through all its activities. Critically, this includes how the agency annually awards and spends on its contracted construction work.
In 2023, more than 40 percent of contracted labor hours were performed by qualified low-income workers and/or businesses (Section 3). Of the contracted construction project hours, more than 30 percent were done by minority-owned businesses (MBE) and over six percent went to woman-owned businesses (WBE).
“MPHA is committed to ensuring its investments make a lasting impact in our community,” said Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “As a government agency, we have an obligation to make sure our dollars go as far as possible to effect positive change in our community. Our team works to partner with local businesses who are owned by and employ historically marginalized communities.”
The agency is committed to bridging equity gaps and creating a more inclusive Minneapolis, and it works to ensure MPHA’s contracted construction work reflects that commitment by making it a priority to seek and expand local partnerships with MBE, WBE, and Section 3 businesses.
While MBE and WBE might be common nomenclature, Section 3 is a designation unique to HUD. Named after the relevant section of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, Section 3 requires that economic opportunities generated from HUD funding be directed to low- and very low-income persons. In all its contracted work, MPHA seeks to exceed HUD’s requirements by directing as many opportunities as possible to businesses that are owned by, employ, or subcontract with qualified Section 3 workers.
JPMI Construction Co is a minority- and family-owned business that has worked with MPHA for decades. JPMI is currently working on some of the public housing buildings’ fire sprinkler installation and alarm system updates.
“All the residents are always very friendly. It’s a pleasure to work with them,” said Absaar Hadi, Project Manager of JPMI Construction Co. “It’s nice to know that MPHA has policies to ensure the smaller, minority-owned contractors don’t get overlooked.”
Iyawe and Associates is a qualified Section 3 business, and a minority-owned business, that has worked on MPHA contracts for over 15 years. Currently, they are updating unit doors in one of the agency’s public housing high-rises. For Iyawe and Associates, working with MPHA has allowed their business to grow.
“We have worked with MPHA for about 15 years now. Our project capacity has steadily increased because of the opportunities we have had with MPHA,” said Simon Iyawe, CEO of Iyawe and Associates. “We also appreciate how straight-forward the contracting process is.”
Partnering with MBE, WBE, and Section 3 businesses is a positive for everyone involved. These businesses that face systematic barriers get prioritized for agency projects, MPHA gets high-quality construction work, and together, Minneapolis’ economically disadvantaged communities are provided high-quality and well managed homes.
From the New Haven Independent:
A new roof and new bathrooms, computer upgrades, reconfigured office and community space and a whole range of modernizing renovations, to the tune of $3 million.
All that shiny new stuff’s on the way to the Housing Authority of New Haven (HANH)’s community and family center over in West Rock on 295 Wilmot Rd. — thanks to an old fashioned federal earmark.
HANH President Karen DuBois-Walton made the announcement Tuesday afternoon at the regular meeting of the public housing authority’s Board of Commissioners. The meeting took place at the housing authority’s headquarters at 360 Orange St.
It used to be called an “earmark,” she said, but now we refer to it as “congressionally directed spending.”
The grant of $3 million was secured through the efforts of U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and signed into law last month by President Joe Biden as part of the new budget covering the departments of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation.
“It’s in the middle of a beautiful area,” DuBois-Walton added, referring to the aging one-story brick structure, a bit of an eye sore at the end of Wilmot Road, amid Rockview, Brookside, and Twin Brook, the spiffy and revitalized developments that HANH has nurtured into much desired locales out in the West Rock area of town.
Although it continues to be used for a wide range of HANH’s activities, as well as being a home base to important area nonprofits, the 20-year old building is in dire need of improvement, she said.
Read the New Haven Independent's article "HANH Scores $3M For Community Center Rehab."
From News 12 Brooklyn:
Tenants of a New York City Housing Authority complex in Eastchester are a part of the decision-making when it comes to redesign and redevelopment.
Residents of the Eastchester Gardens were able to enjoy their newly designed tenant's association office, made possible through the PACT Program.
The PACT Program, also know as the Permanant Affordability Commitment Together, is an initiative between NYCHA and developers to make repairs, redesign facilities, and maintain quality service for tenants.
RDC Development is a professional partnership between MDG Design & Construction and Wavecrest Management that was selected as the Eastchester Gardens PACT Partner.
Residents say what's special about this program is they are involved in the choices made for their homes, including designs and the team they want to work with.
The PACT Program says it aim to keep these homes affordable but improve the quality of life for NYCHA residents.
From HUD's press release:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the appointment of Andrew Lofton to serve as Regional Administrator for the Northwest serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. As Regional Administrator, Mr. Lofton will serve as HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, congressional delegations, stakeholders, and customers. In addition, he will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities and evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness.
With his arrival, Region 10 is ideally positioned to deliver on the agency’s goals and Acting Secretary Todman's vision. Mr. Lofton brings a tremendous wealth of experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm as a housing expert and public servant, and is honored to have the opportunity to work with HUD and the Biden Harris Administration.
"We are excited to welcome Andrew Lofton as the Regional Administrator for HUD's Northwest Region," said Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "Mr. Lofton's experience and dedication to public service make him an asset to our team. He is a leader in housing, and I will rely on him to ensure the efficient delivery of HUD programs and services to communities across the region."
"It is an honor to serve the Biden Harris Administration and the people in the great Northwest, where I am blessed to call home," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Andrew Lofton. "Working together, we can make our communities stronger, more vibrant, and more equitable for generations to come."
A lifelong resident of Washington, Mr. Lofton’s career in public service spans nearly 50 years in municipal, state, and local government where he has been led by his passion for helping people. He previously served as the Executive Director for the Seattle Housing Authority where he worked for 17 years, and before that held positions at the City of Seattle ranging from Community Development Block Grant Administrator, Deputy Director of Community Development, Budget Director, and Chief of Operations, and was Deputy Director for Washington State Department of Trade and Economic Development.
Mr. Lofton has also held many leadership positions throughout his career including membership on the Board of the Council for Large Public Housing Authorities, National Association Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), and was a founding member and first Board Chair of the Moving to Work Collaborative.
CLPHA congratulates Mr. Lofton his new role!
From the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority's press release:
The VI Housing Finance Authority’s (VIHFA) Board of Directors announce the appointment of Eugene Jones, Jr. as its new Executive Director, effective Monday, April 8, 2024. With a strong track record of transformative leadership in public housing agencies across the United States and Canada, Mr. Jones brings a fresh perspective and a bold vision to address the housing challenges in the Virgin Islands.
“I am thrilled to announce that after a rigorous and thorough search process, the Board of Directors of the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority has selected Mr. Eugene Jones as the new Executive Director. Mr. Jones brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, having previously served in numerous roles, including most recently as the Executive Director of the Atlanta Housing Authority,” shared VIHFA Board Chair Jenifer O’Neal.
“His leadership and vision will undoubtedly steer our organization towards greater heights, furthering our mission of providing affordable housing solutions to the residents of the Virgin Islands. As Chair of the Board, I join the other members in extending a warm welcome to Mr. Jones as he embarks on this new journey with us,” she added.
Mr. Jones has spent his entire career dedicated to improving housing conditions and fostering vibrant communities. Renowned as "Mr. Fix-It" within the industry, he has been instrumental in revitalizing troubled housing agencies in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, New Orleans, and Detroit.
Reflecting on his appointment by the VIHFA Board of Directors, Mr. Jones remarked, "I am honored to join the Virgin Islands community as the Executive Director of VIHFA. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of safe and accessible housing. It's not just about providing shelter; it's about building communities where people can truly call home, where they can thrive, and create lasting connections."
Mr. Jones is known for challenging conventional thinking in the housing sector and emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive communities. As Executive Director, Mr. Jones will lead VIHFA in its mission to provide quality housing and promote economic development throughout the Virgin Islands.
CLPHA congratulates Mr. Jones on his new role!