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David Greer
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For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration Program is a Proven Means of Securing the Future of the Nation’s Public Housing Stock
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and Federal Housing Commissioner Brian Montgomery joined the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, its development partners Atlantic | Pacific Communities and Madhouse Development Services, and the Austin community to celebrate the groundbreaking of HACA’s most recent redevelopment of one of its public housing properties, Goodrich Place, which also represents the 100,000th public housing unit being converted through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program.
In recognition of this important milestone, Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities and Patrick Costigan, Strategic Advisor to the RAD Collaborative, issued the following statement:
Today we are celebrating an important milestone addressing the critical need for affordable housing by enabling housing authorities to convert public housing to more stable long-term Section 8 based contracts that will serve PHAs and residents for years to come.
Through the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, agencies across the country can leverage private financing to complete capital improvements needed to preserve and improve the public housing stock, without giving up control of the asset. RAD engenders creative local partnerships, stimulates ongoing economic activity, and leads to improved housing quality for low-income seniors and families.
As we celebrate the 100,000th RAD unit, it’s clear that we have proof of concept. To give PHAs greater certainty, HUD’s program should be permanent with unlimited opportunity for conversions to agencies meeting the requirements.
Congratulations to HUD at this significant juncture, and to HACA and the residents of Goodrich Place who will soon have access to improved units in one of Austin’s highest opportunity neighborhoods.
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 26 percent of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA.
About the RAD Collaborative
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA)—with the support of the National Equity Fund (NEF), HAI Group, Reno & Cavanaugh, and CF Housing Group—organized the RAD Collaborative for interested Public Housing Authorities, their partners and residents using the Rental Assistance Demonstration to preserve and revitalize public housing properties. Our focus also includes extending RAD to multifamily housing at risk of being lost from the affordable inventory--including Rent Supp, RAP, Mod Rehab and Section 202 PRAC properties. Learn more at radcollaborative.org and on Twitter @SucceedwithRAD.
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Statement From Council of Large Public Housing
Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman
Washington, DC – “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), representing more than 70 of the country’s largest and most innovative housing authorities, is calling on Congress to reject the Trump Administration’s FY18 budget, which proposes to slash $6.2 billion in funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including $2 billion in cuts to public housing. If realized, the draconian cuts included in this budget would not only have severe and cumulative effects on public and affordable housing programs across the country, but it would also shred the safety net of other public assistance programs on which many low-income Americans rely.
“The Trump Administration’s full FY18 budget proposal, released today, Tuesday, May 23, would devastate HUD programs that are currently helping over 1.2 million households that reside in public housing, including families, seniors, persons with disabilities, and close to 800,000 children. The budget targets America’s most vulnerable citizens with drastic cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), while also slashing disability benefits and student loan and education programs, thereby crippling essential support systems affecting many of the residents we serve in low-income housing.
“The Administration’s dramatic HUD reductions come at a time when the federal government should actually be investing in public housing as part of the nation’s infrastructure, as such investment generates economic growth, creates jobs, bolsters productivity, and generates tax revenue for localities.
“The budget proposes $628 million for the Public Housing Capital Fund compared to $1.942 billion in FY17; $3.9 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund compared to $4.4 billion in FY17; $17.584 billion for Section 8 voucher renewals compared to $18.355 billion in FY17; and $1.55 billion for administrative fees compared to $1.65 billion in FY17.
“Everyone should be alarmed by the magnitude of these proposed cuts -- the Public Housing Capital Fund alone sustains a cut of over 67 percent. The irony of this particular cut is that it not only undermines basic health and safety improvements, it also makes it virtually impossible to leverage private investment, which HUD claims is a major policy priority.
“Another example is the proposed $771 million reduction to the Housing Choice Voucher program, which provides housing vouchers to needy families. These budget reductions, coupled with rising rents and inflation, will result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of vouchers and threaten currently-housed families with homelessness.
“CLPHA and the nation’s largest public housing authorities are asking members of Congress to reject the cuts proposed by the Trump Administration, as they will significantly harm our most vulnerable citizens and undermine our already significant public investment in this affordable housing stock.”
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), representing more than 70 of the country’s largest and most innovative housing authorities, calls on the Administration and Congress to reject the draconian proposal to slash more than $6 billion in funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including $2 billion in cuts to public housing.
There are over 1.2 million households currently residing in public housing. Seniors and persons with disabilities constitute over half of all residents, and there are over 600,000 children residing in public housing. Public housing cuts will fall directly on the shoulders of residents currently residing in public housing and reduce opportunities for millions of families languishing on waiting lists across the country.
The public housing capital fund provides modernization and rehabilitation funding for the 1.2 million unit public housing portfolio. The reported cut to the capital fund of $1.3 billion represents close to a 70% reduction from last year’s funding level. These proposed cuts will dramatically accelerate the current estimated loss of 10,000 to 12,000 public housing units already lost annually due to chronic underfunding.
The public housing operating fund covers day-to-day operational and maintenance expenses not covered by resident rents. The reported cut to the operating fund of $600 million is a 13% percent reduction from last year, and approximately 72% of what is needed. This funding level will have a devastating impact on the ability to operate and maintain this housing and severely endanger the health, wellbeing, and safety of our most vulnerable children, families, and seniors reliant on housing assistance.
These cuts directly contradict the findings of the congressionally-mandated 2010 HUD study on the backlog of public housing capital repair needs estimated at $26 billion and annual accruing capital needs estimated at $3.4 billion. HUD’s budget does not come close to meeting the annual need and contributes to the growing backlog need.
The tenant based rental assistance program which provides housing vouchers to needy families will also experience a $300 million reduction according to the reports on the budget. This cut coupled with rising rents and inflation will result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of vouchers and threaten currently housed families with homelessness.
We call on the Administration and Congress to reject these draconian cuts that will harm our most vulnerable citizens and undermine our already significant public investment in this affordable housing stock.
From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) press release:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is receiving additional funding –over $37 million in Tenant Protection Vouchers in an effort to maintain a resident-first focus during ongoing repairs. Additionally, NYCHA recently also received $7.5 million to remove lead-based paint from public housing.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman announced these funds today during a visit to a Brooklyn affordable housing complex managed by NYCHA. While touring the property, Acting Secretary Todman highlighted all the ways HUD is working to reduce housing costs and expand assistance for lower-income Americans. This includes boosting access to energy efficiency and clean energy, which can help lower utility bills and create more sustainable, affordable homes for the families HUD serves.
“HUD is working to ensure that all Americans have access to homes that are not just affordable, but resilient,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today, I am proud not only to release more funding to help New York families, but to announce new actions to boost access to solar energy for these families. We know that solar energy can reduce both emissions and housing costs for owners and residents, and this Administration is working to ensure low-income families receive these critical benefits.”
From KOCO 5 News Oklahoma City:
A $500,000 grant could help residents at one of Oklahoma City's oldest public housing complexes get access to services.
A partnership with the Oklahoma City Housing Authority and the nonprofit Lillyfield provided a private grant to Will Rogers Courts, a low-income housing community. The Oklahoma City Housing Authority will transform one of the property's existing buildings into a community center, where Lillyfield will be housed.
"The one thing that separates the people struggling from those of us who are doing a little better tends to be opportunity, so what we hope to do is extend opportunities to the folks here," Lillyfield Executive Director Holly Towers said.
The money will help bring services to families at Will Rogers Courts.
“We’ll be doing things like bringing OCCC (Oklahoma City Community College) on site to help families connect with them, bringing the Goodwill mobile employment van on site. We’ll be providing, through Community Action Agency, classes about financial stability and how to build your savings," Towers said.
Throughout the next six months, residents, 89% of whom are unemployed, will get a say in what services will be offered and how they want to transform their neighborhood and future.
“Transportation and child care is such a barrier for residents living here in the Will Rogers neighborhood that bringing the opportunity to their home will be a life changer for everyone," Laura Gregory, the director of resident services at the Oklahoma City Housing Authority said. "It’s a time for us to meet with the community and services partners to really come together and revitalize, reimagine what this neighborhood could look like."
Read KOCO 5 News' article "Will Rogers Courts gets $500K grant to bring services to residents."
From the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's press release:
Today, Sept. 10, 2024, is Caster Binion Day in the City of Pittsburgh!
Pittsburgh City Council this morning honored HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion for his service to the City of Pittsburgh and to our country, on a recommendation by Councilwoman Theresa Kail Smith.
Mr. Binion has served as the Executive Director of the HACP and Allies and Ross Management & Development Corporation, Inc. (ARMDC) and its subsidiaries since February 2013. As Executive Director, Mr. Binion manages an annual budget of roughly $200 million and is responsible for the operations of roughly 2,300 units of Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH), 5,500 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and 1,000 mixed-finance housing units.
During his tenure, Mr. Binion has led several major affordable housing initiatives, including: the community-wide Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) in Larimer/East Liberty launched in 2014, the implementation of a $500,000 Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Planning Grant for Bedford Dwellings and subsequent $50,000,000 CNI Implementation Grant for Bedford Dwellings, and a $30,000,000 CNI for Larimer that just concluded.
Under Mr. Binion’s leadership, the HACP has created more than 1,000 new affordable housing units developed through the innovative, award-winning Project-Based Voucher/Gap Financing Program.
Additionally, Mr. Binion has led efforts to infuse special programming to HACP’s HCV Program, including the implementation of the HUD-VASH Program – which has successfully housed more than 100 formerly homeless Veterans.
Under Mr. Binion’s leadership, the HACP has created more than 1,000 new affordable housing units developed through the innovative, award-winning Project-Based Voucher/Gap Financing Program. Through this program, Mr. Binion has created opportunities for community-based redevelopment organizations to increase their capacity and initiate dozens of affordable housing development projects in neighborhoods throughout the City of Pittsburgh, ranging from Oakland Pride to Cedarwood Homes – one of the first affordable senior housing communities in the City’s West End.
Additionally, Mr. Binion has led efforts to infuse special programming to HACP’s HCV Program, including the implementation of the HUD-VASH Program – which has successfully housed more than 100 formerly homeless Veterans.
In addition to spearheading the HACP’s development efforts, Mr. Binion leads the agency’s efforts to provide residents of the LIPH and HCV programs with quality services that provide vocational training, employment assistance, crisis support, quality of life enhancements for senior citizens, education opportunities and recreation activities for youth, as well as an onsite 24-hour daycare center, robust resident employment initiatives and an innovative mobile digital literacy program. In essence, these combined efforts lend credence to the overarching theme of providing HACP residents with a “Place to Live and a Path to Launch.”
Prior to beginning his career in public housing, Mr. Binion served as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army, including during Operation Desert Storm, before retiring from the military in 1992.
During the Sept. 10 meeting, Councilwoman Kail Smith commended Mr. Binion and his “amazing team” for efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing within the City of Pittsburgh.
“When I first got elected, my district (District 2) felt saturated with housing authority properties. I raked the housing authority over the coals every chance I got,” she said, adding though Mr. Binion was not the director at the time, she continued once he assumed the role in 2013.
She said Mr. Binion did an amazing job working with the community, and had his staff investigate the properties in question throughout her district.
“Since then, he has been working with us and the community. I want to thank you and your amazing team. They do a lot of great things in the City of Pittsburgh. I know it’s not always easy, especially when affordable housing is not always so plentiful,” she added.
Mr. Binion thanked the residents of the City of Pittsburgh and the HACP, HACP staff, the Board of Commissioners, and all the community partners who have worked together to bring Choice Neighborhoods visions to fruition.
He also thanked his wife, Della, for “putting up with me” over the years, and thanked the HACP staff for being so dedicated, and doing excellent work.
“Our imagination continues to grow as we continue to try to find affordable housing opportunities for the residents of the City of Pittsburgh,” he said. “We have a lot to do as far as affordable housing.”
Councilman Khari Mosley (District 9), who also serves on the HACP Board of Commissioners, thanked Mr. Binion and his staff for being very responsive to constituent concerns, and for their “willingness to live by your words to be imaginative and creative as we try to figure out a level of affordability at the Bakery Square Development, and in meeting this mandate to create more affordable housing in the City of Pittsburgh.”
Councilman Bob Charland (District 3) also thanked Mr. Binion and the HACP staff for being incredibly responsive when issues arise in the district.
“You do a fantastic job of getting back to us quickly when we have an issue,” he added, citing a fire last week at Caliguiri Plaza in Allentown.
Congratulations on such a well-deserved recognition, Mr. Binion!
From the Housing Authority of Cook County's press release:
The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 13, 2024 to celebrate the opening of Otto Veterans Square, an affordable housing development for veterans located in downtown Chicago Heights, IL. Otto Veterans Square is an 82-unit, four-story development located at 1440 Otto Boulevard on the former site of St. James Hospital. The $30.8 million project includes modern apartments that provide veterans with safe and comfortable residence.
“This is truly a beautiful, thoughtfully designed building by HED and partners that our veterans can be proud to call home,” said Danita W. Childers, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Cook County. “This development is a standing reflection of our commitment to address veteran homelessness in the community and contribute to the revitalization of downtown Chicago Heights.”
The property represents the first new development to emerge from the Downtown/East Side Choice Neighborhoods Plan, which was jointly developed by the City of Chicago Heights and the Housing Authority of Cook County and funded by a $350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Today marks an important step in our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every veteran in Cook County has access to safe, dignified, and affordable housing,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Otto Veterans Square is more than just a building; it is a testament to our dedication to the men and women who have served our country and a meaningful contribution to the revitalization of Chicago Heights. I commend the Housing Authority of Cook County, the City of Chicago Heights, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, and all our partners for their unwavering collaboration and hard work in bringing this vision to life.”
The Housing Authority of Cook County secured financing through partnerships with several organizations, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED), the National Equity Fund (NEF), BMO, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Wintrust Bank, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program and Nicor.
“ComEd is proud of our work with the Housing Authority of Cook County to ensure energy-efficiency measures are included in Otto Veterans Square that will help provide a comfortable environment for veteran tenants but also help them save money and energy,” said Bonita Estelle, ComEd’s external affairs manager for the Southland Region. “These efforts are estimated to save 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, which helps avoid more than 920,000 pounds of carbon being emitted into the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of planting nearly 500 acres of trees or removing almost 100 cars from the road each year.”
In addition to providing affordable housing, Otto Veterans Square will offer comprehensive supportive services through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Respond Now. The VA will provide a range of veteran-specific services, including an onsite social worker, healthcare, mental health counseling, and access to peer support specialists, ensuring that residents receive the care and support they deserve. Respond Now, a local nonprofit based in Chicago Heights, will offer additional supportive services such as case management, access to community resources and emergency assistance, tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans. Together, these partnerships ensure that Otto Veterans Square residents receive a holistic network of care and resources to help them build stable, fulfilling lives in their new community.
“Otto Square Veterans Housing represents the pinnacle of what we can achieve when the federal government supports the vision of local leaders and public, private, and non-profit partners,” said Richard J. Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and former HACC Executive Director. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s work to end veteran homelessness would not be possible without the focused and collaborative efforts of amazing partners like the Housing Authority of Cook County and the City of Chicago Heights to ensure that every veteran has a roof over their head and the support they need when they return home.”
Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to view a model apartment and finished spaces with the design team. Otto Veterans Square offers residents a range of amenities, including an exercise room, media room, walking paths, and raised planting beds for community gardens. The property is pet-friendly, with designated spaces for service animals both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, the building provides 82 parking spots, including spaces for handicap and electric vehicles.
From the Chicago Housing Authority's press release:
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) continues to make steady progress on its Restore Home initiative, fully restoring and leasing several multi-family buildings and single-family homes that were previously vacant due to extensive repair needs.
Announced in late 2023, Restore Home is a major capital effort to renovate and rehabilitate vacant buildings in the small and medium-sized apartments portfolio (commonly known as “scattered sites”). Approximately three dozen small and medium-sized vacant apartment buildings around the city have been targeted for renovation, with more than 175 units brought back into leasable condition by mid-2025. An additional 40 single family homes are being renovated and made available for leasing or affordable homeownership opportunities.
CHA pledged to invest up to $50 million over eighteen months under Restore Home.
At Thursday’s meeting, CHA’s Board of Commissioners approved contracts totaling more than $17 million dollars to renovate four additional buildings that will bring 60 apartments back into leasable condition. These include:
- A 1920s brick six-flat building located at 4834-36 North Kimball Avenue in Albany Park, near the Kimball Brown Line station.
- A 1960s brick three-story/ 24-apartment building located at 4008-14 S. Prairie Avenue in Bronzeville.
- Two vacant properties in the North Lawndale neighborhood: a six-apartment building located at 1500 S. Christiana Avenue and a 24-apartment building located at 1404-1414 S. Homan.
Work on these buildings is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
As of August 31, 2024, under Restore Home:
- Five multi-family buildings are complete with sixteen apartments occupied.
- Two multi-family buildings are complete and will be occupied by the end of September (four apartments).
- Eleven multi-family buildings are currently under construction (29 units). All are expected to be completed and fully occupied by the end of the year.
- One single-family home completed and occupied; one single-family home is completed and set to be occupied shortly; and one single-family home is under construction;
- Renovation is set to begin on 16 single-family homes shortly.
“Today’s Board action demonstrates that CHA is doing what we said we would do - providing quality living environments in strong communities that help families move forward. We are proud of the progress that we’ve made on the Restore Home initiative to date and are excited to begin this next phase of work,” CHA CEO Tracey Scott said.