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 [email protected].
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 (Washington, D.C.) January 11, 2022 – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce that Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) CEO Jeffery K. Patterson has been named president of CLPHA’s board of directors.
Mr. Patterson was elected at CLPHA’s December 2021 board meeting, and previously served as the board’s vice president. He follows CLPHA’s previous board president, King County Housing Authority (KCHA) Executive Director Stephen Norman, who retired on December 31, 2021. CLPHA is also pleased to announce that La Shelle Dozier, executive director of the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency, was elected CLPHA vice president and Maria Razo, executive director of the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, was elected CLPHA secretary at the board’s December 2021 meeting. Ed Lowndes, executive director of the Housing Authority of Kansas City, MO, was re-elected board treasurer.
"I am honored to be elected president of CLPHA’s board and would like to thank Stephen Norman for his service and leadership upon his well-deserved retirement,” said Patterson. “Decades of chronic disinvestment, an aging housing portfolio and racial inequities have long predated the pandemic. Entering the third year of pandemic, these issues have only been magnified.
“We are at a critical juncture,” Patterson added. “Historic housing investments proposed by the White House and passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in the Build Back Better Act have stalled in the Senate. CLPHA will continue robust advocacy to ensure these significant housing investments are available to housing authorities across the country who are serving low-income families every day in their local communities.”
“Congratulations to CMHA CEO Jeffery Patterson on being named president of the Board of Directors of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. I was pleased to join him, residents, and city leaders at the recent groundbreaking of the Buckeye-Woodhill Choice Neighborhoods transformation plan, which will provide high quality affordable housing that is connected to economic, educational, and health opportunities in a vibrant neighborhood. I look forward to continuing to work with CEO Patterson in his new role to bring greater affordable housing opportunities to more people and communities in Ohio and across the country,” said Senator Sherrod Brown, Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
“Jeffery has been an invaluable asset to CLPHA in his seven years on the board,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “He leads in many ways, not only as board vice president, but also more locally through the many boards he serves on in the greater Cleveland area. Jeffery has a deep understanding of national housing issues as well as local challenges and solutions, and his commitment to CLPHA will ensure continuity through this leadership transition. I look forward to working with CLPHA’s new board leadership to advance our goals and policy priorities in these unprecedented times.”
Mr. Patterson has served as CMHA’s CEO for ten years and has over thirty years of dedicated service to the residents of Cuyahoga County. As CEO of one of the largest housing authorities in the country, he is responsible for a $230 million dollar budget, approximately 750 employees, 10,500 units of housing, 15,000 Housing Choice Vouchers, and nearly 55,000 residents and participants of CMHA's low-income Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs. He also serves on the board of directors for the Housing Authority Insurance Group, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (Chairman), Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (Vice-Chairman), St. Luke’s Foundation, United Way of Greater Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Unify Labs Inc., University Circle Inc., the Cleveland Public Library Foundation, and the National Kidney Foundation.
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2021 |
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(Washington, D.C.) April 9, 2021 – The Biden Administration’s recently announced infrastructure proposal, The American Jobs Plan, includes a $40 billion commitment to recapitalize public housing infrastructure. Applying data from a report by Econsult Solutions (ESI), a private data analytics firm, CLPHA estimates that 440,000 jobs will be created and $76 billion in economic impact generated during the time when the $40 billion in funds are spent.
“Investing in public housing infrastructure offers many economic benefits beyond lifting families out of poverty and preventing homelessness,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA). “The American Jobs Plan is the first to provide the size and scale of resources necessary to repair the crumbling infrastructure of public housing. In return local employers, governments, and industries will benefit from an economic activity that outpaces investment and creation of good-paying construction jobs.”
CLPHA commissioned ESI to evaluate the economic impacts of six public housing authorities (PHAs) in diverse markets across the country. Released in late 2018, “The Economic Impact of Public Housing: Ongoing Investment with Wide-Reaching Returns” found that PHAs generate and induce multiple streams of economic activity benefiting public housing residents and their local communities. For every $1 million PHAs spend on capital investments, $1.89 million in economic activity is generated and 11 full-time jobs are supported. CLPHA applied the American Jobs Plan’s $40 billion for recapitalizing public housing infrastructure with ESI’s economic impact numbers and found the American Jobs Plan will generate $76 billion in economic activity and 440,00 jobs — a nearly 2 to 1 ratio for economic impact generated to dollars spent.
“After decades of chronic underfunding and disinvestment in public housing infrastructure, the American Jobs Plan can be game changing. Local communities have an opportunity to experience the benefits of a robust public and affordable housing system,” said Zaterman. “Whether it is improving life outcomes for low-income families, creating positive impacts in surrounding neighborhoods of well-maintained public housing, expanding local and state tax bases, or spurring regional job creation and economic growth, public housing is a benefit. It is clear from the American Jobs Plan that the Biden Administration is committed to advancing public housing.”
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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Grants will help PHA residents with immediate and locally defined needs exacerbated by COVID-19
Washington, D.C. (February 9, 2021) -- The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce the ten recipients of its COVID Resident Support Grants. The recipients are CLPHA member public housing authorities (PHAs) from across the country that will utilize their grants to meet immediate and locally defined needs exacerbated by COVID-19 for projects such as providing residents with essential household supplies, helping households successfully lease affordable units with their housing vouchers, and supplying technology and devices that will help resident children attend virtual school or connect resident seniors with healthcare resources. The recipients were chosen via a competitive selection process, and the robust response to CLPHA’s call for applications demonstrates the need for additional funds to support COVID-19 relief services and supplies for low-income Americans.
“As housing providers for some of the nation’s most vulnerable children, families, and seniors, our members are uniquely positioned to serve the low-income residents in their communities that are hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “We are pleased to provide these ten grants that will support PHAs in their efforts to not only keep residents stably housed, but also to provide crucial supplies and resources that will help residents cope with the new normal created by the pandemic."
The grantees are:
- INLIVIAN (Charlotte, NC)
- Elm City Communities (New Haven, CT)
- Housing Authority of the City of Goldsboro (Goldsboro, NC)
- Jersey City Housing Authority (Jersey City, NJ)
- Lucas Metropolitan Housing (Toledo, OH)
- Oklahoma City Housing Authority (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Home Forward (Portland, OR)
- Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (Ventura, CA)
- Tacoma Housing Authority (Tacoma, WA)
- Wilmington Housing Authority (Wilmington, NC)
Learn more about CLPHA’s grantees and how they will use these funds to help meet the public health, education, employment, and basic urgent needs of their residents profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic here.
These ten sub-grants are made possible through CLPHA’s grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s (CDP) COVID-19 Response Fund.
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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 .
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
The Housing Is Initiative, led by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on Twitter @housing_is.
About The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s mission is to leverage the power of philanthropy to mobilize a full range of resources that strengthen the ability of communities to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. CDP manages domestic and international Disaster Funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals through targeted, holistic and localized grantmaking. For more information, visit: disasterphilanthropy.org, call (202) 464-2018 or tweet us @funds4disaster.
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(Washington, D.C.) November 17, 2023 — Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement upon the Biden-Harris administration’s announcement yesterday of the U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health and the CHIP Health-Related Social Needs Framework:: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds the Biden-Harris administration’s publication of the U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health and the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Health-Related Social Needs Framework. President Biden and HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge have led the nation in raising awareness of the foundational role that housing plays in improving life outcomes for low-income Americans throughout the President’s term. “CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative has driven the conversation for a decade on how best to bridge the housing and health sectors to improve the life outcomes of residents living in federally assisted housing. CLPHA has long supported public policies cited in the Framework such as evidence-based interventions to support housing and nutrition needs for certain Medicaid enrollees. CLPHA has also advocated for innovative solutions like waivers for Medicaid through its 1115 demonstration that allow for housing-related assistance. “With current programs proving beneficial and innovative programs being developed we know we have the answers. Yet, for these programs to be successful they must be funded at a level that meets the need. Unfortunately, they are not funded at those levels currently. While announcements like these are important in raising the awareness of the foundational role of housing in improving health outcomes, we must continue to advocate for increased resources, including incentivizing PHA/Medicaid partnerships, so they can deliver the benefits they are designed to achieve.” |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
(Washington, DC) November 30, 2022 -- Statement from Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, on the importance of finalizing the FY23 appropriations legislation:
“For the millions of families served by public housing authorities, it is critical for Congress to complete the FY23 appropriations legislation before the start of the 118th Congress in January. The leading public housing advocacy organizations, in one voice, call on Congress to get this legislation passed so that our most vulnerable families are not put at risk.
“The consequences of a government shutdown or a series of continuing resolutions, which lock the previous year’s funding levels in place, create uncertainty for PHAs by not accounting for inflation or current shortfalls that could be severe and would amount to a budget cut. It will tie the hands of housing authorities and impact their abilities to provide their residents with safe, secure, and affordable housing.
“These consequences are preventable if Congress passes the FY23 appropriations legislation at the funding levels requested by the public housing organizations in the letter sent to Congress. We look forward to working with Congress as they finalize the legislation.”
Media Contact:
David Greer, CLPHA
(202) 550-1381
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(Washington, D.C.) August 5, 2022 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program and the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program:
"The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) applauds the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program and the one-year Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program at its Open Commission Meeting today. CLPHA has worked closely with the FCC to help shape these programs through direct dialogue with members of Congress, the FCC, and submitted comments throughout the regulatory process. CLPHA has also been a long-time proponent for digital equity through working with partners, disseminating information via webinars, spotlighting promising practices at conferences, and conducting outreach on opportunities. Today is a strong step forward for serving low-income families living in assisted housing with improved access to high-quality, affordable broadband and devices.
"These initiatives will improve the Biden administration’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a $14 billion long-term initiative that offers up to $30 a month for the costs of internet service for eligible households and builds on the Emergency Broadband Benefit in order to provide more permanent assistance. Public housing authorities have long understood that digital access is critical to improve life outcomes for low-income families living in assisted housing and we are excited for additional support to get more assisted households connected.
"Public housing authorities offer the most effective avenue to connect the highest number of low-income families to broadband access and accomplish the goals of the Affordable Connectivity Program. At CLPHA’s 8th Annual Housing Is Summit in May, Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks noted this point in his keynote speech, 'When I look at the data where we can reach more vulnerable households…, I consistently come back to housing. I see a clear synergy between housing and connectivity; if we are helping a family secure housing, we should be able to help them secure an internet connection as well.'
"In May 2022 Commissioner Starks also visited Nickerson Gardens, a property of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), a CLPHA member. With 1,000 units, Nickerson Gardens is the largest public housing community west of the Mississippi River. He reported that the ACP Pilot Program had connected 78 percent of the Nickerson Garden units to the internet.
"During today’s open meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also named CLPHA member the Jersey City Housing Authority (JCHA) and its executive director Vivian Brady-Phillips as an exemplary PHA working on digital inclusion. CLPHA highlighted both HACLA and JCHA during this year’s Housing Is Summit.
"The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program will provide eligible governmental and non-governmental entities with funding to conduct outreach to eligible low-income households in order to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program. The one-year Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program aims to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program among recipients of federal housing assistance and facilitate enrollment in the ACP by providing targeted assistance with the ACP application.
"CLPHA will work with its members to ensure they are taking advantage of these programs to help residents access not only to affordable, high-quality broadband and devices, but also digital literacy to utilize these resources."
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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In an interview with radio program Marketplace for its November 4 story "Apple pledges $2.5 billion to ease California’s housing crisis," CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman told reporter Jack Stewart that Apple's recent $2.5 billion Bay Area affordable housing pledge is an important starting point in addressing the nation's affordable housing shortage, but also noted that much more money is needed to help public housing authorities provide affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. Zaterman told Stewart that public housing needs an injection of $50 to 70 billion to address its massive capital needs backlog.
“The giving back here [by Apple] should be seen as necessary and required,” said Zaterman, “because these corporations are benefiting from the workforce, from the transportation systems, health systems, that are already in their communities.”
Read or listen to Marketplace's story.
In a new op-ed for The Hill, a prominent political newspaper widely read by policymakers, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman underscores the role of public housing authorities (PHAs) as essential partners in local efforts to house those who are particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity, including unsheltered families, veterans, people with disabilities, youth aging out of foster care, victims of domestic violence, and returning citizens. Programs like the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s Stable Homes Stable Schools and the Oakland Housing Authority’s Building Bridges are examples of how PHAs are leveraging their limited resources and local partnerships to create more opportunities for housing stability.
Yet, the President’s proposed FY2020 HUD budget would reduce the agency’s funding by more than 16 percent and slash the public housing operating and capital funds by $4.6 billion, which would seriously impede PHAs’ and their communities’ abilities to address the housing needs of low-income and housing-insecure people.
Though House and Senate appropriators propose modest funding increases in their FY20 spending bills, Zaterman argues that level funding is not enough to meet the growing and urgent demand for housing that is safe and affordable. “We can address the crisis of homelessness in America, and public housing authorities are prepared to help solve it with appropriate resources.”
Part two of Affordable Housing Finance’s special report “Turning Point for Public Housing,” explores tools such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that public housing authorities can use to recapitalize and redevelop properties for their residents and communities. In the face of unsustainable federal funding levels, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman tells the magazine that public housing is at a crossroads, but with the right tools, “we could have the portfolio totally recapitalized in 10 years.”
Zaterman was also featured in part one of the series to discuss the impact of the federal disinvestment in public housing. “We have lost about 10,000 units a year from underfunding,” she said. But, “the number of public housing units lost may have slowed to about 8,000 a year, thanks to RAD, in the last couple of years.”
Read the series, which includes interviews with housing advocates, policy experts, and policymakers, online here.
NPR’s May 16 story, which also aired May 22 on NPR’s Morning Edition, “Trump Administration Wants To Cut Funding For Public Housing Repairs,” featuring District of Columbia Housing Authority Executive Director Tyrone Garrett and CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman, underscores the need to reinvest in public housing with funding for the capital needs backlog and more tools for recapitalization and redevelopment.
Of the Trump Administration’s proposal to slash funding for public housing, Garrett says, “Other housing authorities throughout the country are in the same boat. We're looking for opportunities to be able to improve the lives of our families, and it's becoming increasingly difficult with the funding cuts."
In Affordable Housing Finance's (AHF) article discussing Rep. Maxine Waters' (D-CA) draft legislation of her Housing is Infrastructure bill, CLPHA's Sunia Zaterman told reporter Donna Kimura that Waters' bill, which would allocate $70 billion for the public housing capital fund, is attempting to get the public housing industry "on an even keel."
Zaterman told Kimura, “We do have challenges moving forward in the appropriations process on the annual funding levels for public housing operating and capital funds, but what Ms. Waters is saying in this bill is that we can no longer stand by idly and watch this public investment start to crumble when we need it the most.”
Zaterman added that Congress must also consider expanding additional tools that PHAs can employ in their public housing development and renovation efforts, such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs).
AHF also quoted Zaterman's April 30 press statement on Waters' draft legislation and the House Committee on Financial Services April 30 hearing “Housing in America: Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of America’s Housing Stock":
“Public housing is as a much a part of the national infrastructure as Route 66, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Hoover Dam,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. “Public housing helps communities and families thrive by providing more than 1 million low- and very low-income families, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities with a stable place to live, connecting low-income workers to economic opportunities, and spurring regional job creation and economic growth.”
“But, years of chronic underfunding have led to the deterioration of the public housing stock, and, since 1990, at least 300,000 units have been lost because of the lack of adequate resources to maintain them. The federal disinvestment in public housing has contributed to an untenable shortage of stable housing for low-income households,” Zaterman added.
From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) unveiled a new community arts mural series at Nickerson Gardens, funded by the state’s Clean California program. This dynamic public art project brings together residents, local leaders, and acclaimed artist Brian Peterson to transform shared spaces with vibrant murals that highlight themes of creativity, resilience, and neighborhood pride.
“The new murals at Nickerson Gardens are a great example of how art can bring people together, foster pride, and build a lasting sense of belonging,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, HACLA President & CEO. “This community arts project is part of a larger effort to activate public spaces, celebrate resident identity, and invest in the well-being of our communities.”
Renowned for his bold, minimalist style, Peterson created eight original murals throughout Nickerson Gardens, incorporating input from residents. During a recent Community Day celebration, local youth and families joined the creative process by helping paint a section of the mural themselves, creating lasting memories and a shared sense of ownership.
“Coming back to Nickerson Gardens to paint eight new murals is deeply meaningful to me. After creating murals honoring Kobe and Gigi Bryant and the LA Rams, I wanted to continue building on the vibrant culture already thriving in this community,” said artist Brian Peterson. “My goal is to bring color and inspiration through my signature style, and to create spaces that uplift everyone who walks by.”
The mural unveiling was part of a broader revitalization effort that includes enhanced public spaces, newly designed trash enclosures that improve accessibility and aesthetics, and resident-led initiatives like the Green Ambassador program—promoting health, connection, and creativity to the community. These efforts build on strong partnerships with sports teams like the Los Angeles Rams, who brought the community a Rams-branded turf field and new sports-themed mural, inspiring youth through art and athletics—watch the video.
Other recent additions include the Lakers and Mamba & Mambacita Foundations’ gym mural and refurbished basketball courts. A central community park and Dodgers Dreamfield are also on the way, slated for completion later this year.
“I am so happy we now have beautiful murals in our community,” said Maria Alcantar, Resident Advisory Council President at Nickerson Gardens. “These murals represent how beautiful the residents’ hearts and souls are.”
Nickerson Gardens continues to evolve into a hub that celebrates resilience through art, athletics, and opportunity. These efforts reinforce HACLA’s mission to reimagine public housing as a platform for community pride and progress.
From the Bremerton Housing Authority's website:
On February 21, 2025, Bremerton Housing Authority (BHA) acquired Wheaton Landing, a new 24-unit apartment complex aimed at providing stable housing for families with children in the Bremerton School District who are facing homelessness or housing instability. Enterprise, a national organization dedicated to community development, has accepted the project into its program and will co-lead efforts with Kitsap Strong to bring together key partners and design a tailored program to best serve future residents. With this important purchase, BHA continues to address the unique needs of Bremerton by ensuring that affordable housing is paired with the support necessary for residents to thrive.
“I believe this is an incredible opportunity for our city and county,” said BHA Executive Director Jill Stanton. “We take seriously our mandate to address local needs with our federal resources and believe this local solution to ending homelessness for children is our most viable path forward. We know housing is only a portion of what is needed for success and are grateful for the dedicated stakeholders involved in making this new project possible.”
Wheaton Landing is another significant public-private partnership in which BHA has responded to a recognized need by community partners to reach Bremerton’s most vulnerable residents through housing. In addition to Kitsap Mental Health Services’ Pendleton Place, Kitsap’s first permanent supportive housing complex for 72 chronically homeless individuals, and BHA’s Evergreen Bright Start, Kitsap’s first dedicated housing complex for young adults ages 18-24 exiting foster care or facing homelessness, this new property will also offer access to supportive services tailored specifically to its residents. This project is designed to be a model that can be replicated to help achieve functional zero homelessness for the student body in the Bremerton School District.
In support of its national community development initiatives, Enterprise will lead efforts to bring together key organizations to identify best practices in tenant selection, operations, and services. Wheaton Landing participating stakeholders include:
- Bremerton Housing Authority
- Enterprise
- Kitsap Strong
- Bremerton School District
- Kitsap County Affordable Housing Consortium
- Kitsap County
- City of Bremerton
The goal is to implement a holistic program that addresses the diverse needs of resident families, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Enterprise will also establish key data metrics for tracking and measuring success. Kitsap Strong is co-leading the development of the partnership structure with BHA and serves as the backbone entity.
Successful projects like this require not only good intent, seamless collaboration, specific expertise, and an understanding developer, but also the necessary funding. BHA received crucial support to acquire the newly constructed 24-unit complex located at 3256 Wheaton Way in East Bremerton, which includes:
- An assumable loan from Global Credit Union, marking the first time Global has worked with any public housing authority across the nation.
- Community Investments in Affordable Housing and HOME funds in addition to local funding support from Kitsap County and the City of Bremerton.
- Restricted funds available from the redevelopment of West Park, BHA’s successful effort to improve affordable housing across Bremerton completed in 2015.
- Ongoing rental assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs including Housing Choice Vouchers.
Wheaton Landing represents a major step forward in tackling homelessness and housing instability for families in Bremerton and Kitsap County. By bringing together resources from both the public and private sectors, BHA, Enterprise, Kitsap Strong, the Bremerton School District, and our community partners are reinforcing a continued commitment to building a stronger, more resilient community by focusing on long-term housing solutions.
From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
The transformation of the former site of the County of San Diego’s Family Court into an affordable, intergenerational community of seniors and families with low income is underway, with a groundbreaking ceremony today celebrating the start of construction for Kindred Apartments, a collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
“Today is proof of what can happen when the City and the County work together with our nonprofit partners to get big and bold things done, and I look forward to more collaboration to make sure that we’re continuing to serve our shared constituents to the best of our respective abilities,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.
Kindred Apartments will consist of 125 rental apartments that will remain affordable for 99 years for households earning no more than 60 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income, currently $99,240 per year for a family of four. The development also includes one unrestricted manager’s unit.
“We are here celebrating this site that was once a family courthouse and temporary migrant shelter—it will now become a space of hope, healing and opportunity,” County of San Diego Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said. “Today’s groundbreaking is more than just the start of construction. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for this community and so many people who will benefit from this space. By investing in permanent supportive housing for our seniors and affordable homes for families, we are expanding a future of possibilities for all San Diegans to thrive regardless of income.”
BRIDGE Housing is developing Kindred Apartments in collaboration with SDHC and multiple partners. SDHC awarded 84 housing vouchers to the development, of which 63 are for seniors who previously experienced homelessness. The remaining 21 vouchers will assist eligible families with low income.
“The Kindred Apartments development will transform this site into a vibrant community that brings seniors and families together and provides housing stability in a shared place to call home,” SDHC Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development Colin Miller said. “The rental homes here will be life-changing for seniors who have experienced homelessness and families struggling financially in San Diego’s high-cost rental market.”
SDHC also awarded a loan of up to $7,955,000 toward the development. SDHC’s loan consists of federal, state and local funds SDHC administers, including:
- $2.25 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awards to the City of San Diego;
- $2.85 million from the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund; and
- $2.85 million from the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Fund.
“Affordable housing provides so much more than shelter,” BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard said. “It’s a foundation for healthier families, stronger communities. It helps children succeed in school, empowers adults to contribute more to their neighborhoods and enables seniors to age with dignity.”
San Ysidro Health will provide supportive services, such as medical and social services, through the San Diego Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for the seniors who experienced homelessness. San Ysidro Health will also provide enhanced case management and social services to all residents of Kindred Apartments.
“Health is not accomplished within an exam room or a building. It really does take the social determinants of health to come together in fabric and weave a healthier San Diego,” San Ysidro Health’s Interim CEO Veronica De La Rosa said.
The development is anticipated to be completed in early 2027 in the Cortez Hill neighborhood of downtown San Diego, a transit-oriented area that facilitates access to regional public transit services that connect residents to jobs, schools, parks and recreational opportunities throughout San Diego.
The County of San Diego invested $4 million from its Innovative Housing Trust Fund toward the development, in addition to providing the development site, one of 11 excess land properties the County identified for the creation of affordable housing.
Funding for Kindred Apartments also includes more than $17.7 million in recycled tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds from the State. This funding is part of an innovative bond recycling agreement between the SDHC, the City of San Diego and the California Housing Finance Agency.
Additional funding partners include US Bank, Greystone Housing Impact Investors, and Western Alliance Bank.
From the City of Boston's press release:
The City of Boston today announced that Boston Saves, the City’s children’s savings account program, is offering an incentive to eligible Boston Housing Authority (BHA) families. Currently, all Boston Public Schools (BPS) students in K2-5th grade have been given Boston Saves accounts. This special incentive was created to encourage students who are living in BHA properties and are also eligible for Boston Saves to further engage in the program. BHA eligible families who complete an application by May 1, 2025, will be entered into a lottery to earn an extra $500 for their child’s Boston Saves account. This money, in addition to the $50 provided into every Boston Saves account, can be used to pay for their child’s future college or career training upon graduation.
“Boston Saves has given students and families a chance to get a head start in planning their economic futures,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful for our partnership with BHA for giving eligible families this special incentive to engage in all of the program benefits. I encourage all BHA families with BPS students to log in and take advantage of these economic tools.”
Managed by the Worker Empowerment Cabinet and Boston Public Schools, Boston Saves provides every BPS K2 student with a college savings account (CSA) seeded with $50 to give families a boost for their child’s future. Since its launch, Boston Saves has allocated over $1.7 million, including over $320,000 in family-earned incentives, to over 27,000 student accounts. The program also allows families to earn additional Boston Saves Dollars for their child’s account through ongoing incentives and access to financial education resources that make saving easier.
In 2024, Boston Saves and the Boston Housing Authority piloted this special incentive to support students in BHA housing with Boston Saves accounts. Through this partnership, 268 students earned $500 each last fall, a total of $134,000 for their accounts. Incentives like these are especially valuable as they encourage families to take the necessary first step of logging into their accounts, thereby unlocking the program's benefits.
When a family logs in to the Savings Center, they can:
- See the money in their child’s Boston Saves account
- Link their own financial account to the Savings Center to track all their savings for their child in one place, and earn an additional incentive
- Earn more money for their child’s Boston Saves account by taking simple steps like reading with their child or saving regularly
“Having worked at BHA, this partnership gives me great pleasure and, more importantly, will result in 500 young people beginning to take control of their academic or occupational future,” said Chief of Worker Empowerment, Trinh Nguyen. “I encourage all eligible families to take advantage of Boston Saves and give their child(ren) the financial boost they need to succeed.”
“We are proud to partner with Boston Saves on this exciting investment in the dreams and ambitions of BHA’s children,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “We know that our young residents have a great deal of talent and passion to bring to our communities here in Boston, and this tangible investment in their future will support them and their families on their journeys to unlock all that potential.”
From The Columbian:
Vancouver Housing Authority apartments are hosting farmers markets where the produce is free for residents, thanks to a multi-agency partnership.
The housing agency is working with Washington State University Clark County Extension and Vancouver Farmers Market to bring free, fresh produce to its apartment complexes until June. Staff from the Vancouver Farmers Market recruit local farmers to offer fruits and vegetables at the housing complexes. The WSU Clark County SNAP-Ed program provides education on preparing healthy meals with the produce, among other necessary skills.
“This is a really powerful example of how food access initiatives can at the same time support food insecure families while also strengthening our local agricultural economy. Every dollar that goes into this program is going back to our local farms,” said Stephanie Clark, director of partnerships and programs for the Vancouver Farmers Market.
Read The Columbian's article "VHA apartments host farmers markets for residents with free, fresh produce."