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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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.
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For Immediate Release
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“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is pleased House Democrats addressed concerns of large public housing authorities in the HEROES Act with increased funding for rental assistance for those who are at the greatest risk for homelessness and housing insecurity. The bill authorizes $4 billion in additional funding for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance with $1 billion of that designated for new temporary assistance for households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or who are fleeing domestic violence. The bill also includes $750 million additional funding for Project-Based Rental Assistance, $2 billion in additional funds for the Public Housing Operating Fund, and $100 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance. CLPHA is also pleased with the proposal to protect funding that was shortly due to expire under the Choice Neighborhood Initiative by extending funding through September 30, 2021.
CLPHA will continue to forcefully advocate to policymakers that we as a nation must emerge from this unprecedented pandemic with an unequivocal commitment to address the growing need for rental assistance. “
(202) 550-1381
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
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Public Housing Authorities Need $8.5 Billion in Emergency COVID-19 Funds Plus Regulatory Relief
CLPHA members are working tirelessly, compassionately, and pragmatically to support low-income households. We urge Congress and HUD to do the same.
WASHINGTON (March 19, 2020) - The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities sent letters to Congressional leaders and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson today formally requesting $5 billion for the public housing program and $3.5 billion for the housing choice voucher program in emergency supplemental funds and additional regulatory relief for public housing authorities as they work to protect residents and staff during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement after submitting the requests to Congress and HUD:
"Low-income households and the elderly who are served by public and affordable housing have the most to lose during the current COVID-19 public health crisis because they are the most vulnerable to unemployment, lost income, and heartbreakingly, the virus itself.
"To ensure the health and safety of residents, and of staff, public housing authorities are taking unprecedented actions to follow public health protocols, while continuing to provide residents with services ranging from food deliveries to regular property repairs.
"The FY20 operating budget for public housing authorities is wholly inadequate to fund the enormous unforeseen cost of COVID-19 emergency expenses combined with estimated losses in tenant rent payments. CLPHA is requesting $8.5 billion from Congress in emergency supplemental funds and urging HUD to provide public housing authorities with the flexibility to respond to the changing situation as needed.
"Without a commitment from the federal government to support public and affordable housing operations during and after the COVID-19 emergency, millions of households could be left unprotected from the virus and face longer-term housing insecurity.
"CLPHA members are working tirelessly, compassionately, and pragmatically to support low-income households. We urge Congress and HUD to do the same."
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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.
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.
From Dothan Housing's press release:
In an inspiring celebration of academic excellence and community support, Dothan Housing (DH) held its annual Susan Morrison Memorial Scholarship Awards Program on July 2, 2024, at the Michael C. Patton Event Center. The event honored three outstanding students from Dothan High School, recognizing their achievements and dedication to furthering their education.
In its ongoing effort to create pathways of success for its residents, clients, and team members, Dothan Housing’s Susan Morrison Memorial Scholarship aims to provide essential educational opportunities. Named in honor of the late Susan Morrison, a beloved Dothan Housing Board Commissioner, and local REALTOR®, this year’s scholarships were made possible through the generous contributions of Steve Morrison and the Morrison family, along with successful fundraising efforts, including the annual Our Purpose Gala. The program is administered by Building Opportunities Towards Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), a 501(c)(3) affiliate of Dothan Housing.
Amir JaShawn Scruggs, the top scholarship recipient of $2,500, stood out for his exceptional musical talents and leadership. Amir has already significantly impacted his community as a dedicated member of the DHS Marching, Concert, Jazz Bands, and the New Maranda Baptist Church drummer. With this scholarship, he will attend Alabama State University to pursue his dream of a career in music education, inspiring future generations with his remarkable achievements.
Michael Woodruff, awarded a $1,000 scholarship, is a first-generation college student whose journey to Tuskegee University is fueled by his dedication to community service and academic excellence. Michael’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of family support and faith in achieving one’s dreams. The community's unwavering support has played a crucial role in his success, making each member feel valued and integral to his journey.
Savannah Morris was awarded a $500 scholarship, excelled academically, and demonstrated leadership in high school. She plans to study elementary education and psychology at Alabama State University, proving that hard work leads to success.
"We are proud to support these outstanding students through the Susan Morrison Memorial Scholarship," said Samiyah Craddock, Director of Resident Services and Engagement. "This investment in their education empowers them to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future."
The first Susan Morrison Memorial Scholarship recipient, LaMarion Durr, a graduate of Dothan High School, received his award last year. After a rigorous selection process, LaMarion was chosen for his academic excellence and community involvement. He is now attending the University of Alabama, pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, making his family and community proud.
DH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Samuel P. Crawford believes education is essential to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. " We are dedicated to opening doors to educational opportunities for the residents we serve. We firmly believe that housing is more than just a place to live; it is a stepping stone toward a brighter future.”