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.
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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
The new construction of more than 300 affordable rental apartments at the former site of the Sheriff’s Crime Lab will provide homes for seniors, families and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities upon completion of three developments in collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) that celebrated their groundbreaking today.
“I live with my father, who is 88 years old, and I know that as you age, your needs change and you need a little bit of help from the next generation. And so being able to make sure that our seniors are in a community where there are families and there are young people and people with disabilities, where we can all create that artificial family that we don’t have these days, is so important,” California State Treasurer Fiona Ma said.
The developments are being built on Mt. Etna Drive in the Clairemont neighborhood of San Diego, west of Interstate 805 near a shopping and entertainment corridor.
“What you have is publicly owned property that is being reutilized in a way the benefits more people,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said. “Public service is about doing the most amount of good for the most number of people. This site has served this community well for a very long time, but it has a new life that will serve even more people.”
The three developments—Messina Senior Apartments, Modica Family Apartments and Taormina Family Apartments—are being developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation, with financing and rental housing vouchers that SDHC awarded.
“Today is a wonderful day because this groundbreaking is part of the solution to the severe housing crisis in San Diego, which is to a great extent responsible for our homeless population,” said San Diego City Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell, whose district includes the three developments. “I have seen the plans. They will be beautiful buildings with parks, security, as well as all the needed programs, thanks to Serving Seniors and everybody else, to help the residents succeed in getting back on their feet.”
The County of San Diego ground leased the land for the developments to Chelsea Investment Corporation for 99 years.
“I’m excited about the project and that we’re shaping a community,” said County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas. “And I love the fact that it has a senior center, that it really is a comprehensive way of making sure that we’re taking care of our communities, which is really what this is all about, right? Because we don’t want just people to survive; we want our communities to thrive.”
SDHC awarded development loans and rental housing vouchers to support the developments.
“I’ve never been more excited to be at a groundbreaking than I am today and that’s because this is my neighborhood, where I am fortunate enough to own a home a short distance from here,” SDHC Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Ryan Clumpner said. “I have friends that live a few blocks in each direction. And I want to speak for all of us when I say that we can’t wait to welcome our new neighbors. … You are not just providing the gift of safe and secure housing for over 300 families who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness, but you are uplifting the entire Clairemont community. That’s a gift that I hope we see more of in this neighborhood and every neighborhood in the City of San Diego.”
From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
Continuing collaborative efforts to create additional permanent affordable homes with supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) has applied for up to $23 million from the state Homekey program for two properties in collaboration with the City of San Diego and County of San Diego.
“My administration’s comprehensive strategy to address homelessness includes robust street outreach; expanded shelter, Safe Parking and Safe Sleeping programs; advocacy on mental health treatment and fentanyl enforcement; removing tent encampments from our sidewalks and canyons; and, most importantly, creating housing,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “I am proud of the City’s collaboration with the Housing Commission and the County to seek as much Homekey funding as we can to get our unsheltered residents into permanent homes and on a path to a better quality of life.”
“Our County is committed to supporting creative, sustainable, and equitable solutions for our unsheltered population. Through strong collaborative partnerships with the City of San Diego, and the San Diego Housing Commission, we can continue finding viable solutions for our unsheltered community,” said Nora Vargas, Chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “No single level of government can do this alone. By prioritizing housing and vital services like mental health, food assistance, and primary care we can keep our families, seniors, and veterans under a roof.”
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Residents would receive access to supportive services, such as primary health care, mental and behavioral health care, and other community-based programs to best meet a resident’s individual needs.
“The San Diego Housing Commission has focused on developing a continuum of housing opportunities to best meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Affordable rental apartments are one of the many essential types of housing necessary to meet the diverse needs of our unhoused neighbors,” SDHC Interim President & CEO Jeff Davis said. “Homekey funding makes it possible to add this type of housing quickly. Residents will also receive site-based supportive services to enhance their quality of life and support stable tenancies.”
From ABC 13 News Asheville:
Asheville Housing Authority said farewell Thursday to the man who's been a big part of the agency for the past 17 years.
David Nash, who began as deputy director in 2006 and took over as executive director in 2019, said housing is one of the most important things to a family. And he believes the housing authority's resources are critical to providing it for the community.
“I feel optimistic about the future of the housing authority. I think the need is there and the resources is there and there’s a new leader coming on who has a great amount of energy and experience," Nash said. "I’m optimistic for the housing authority going forward.”
As for retiring, Nash said he's grateful for the chance he had to work with the housing authority staff and the residents they've helped over the years.
Read ABC 13 News Asheville's article "Asheville Housing Authority bids farewell to longtime leader David Nash."
From New York City Mayor Eric Adams' press release:
Following a national search, New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Jamie Rubin as chair of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) board and elevated Lisa Bova-Hiatt to be permanent CEO of the Authority. Rubin comes to NYCHA with three decades of experience in government, nonprofits, and the private sector, including leading the New York State Governor's Office of Storm Recovery, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and President Barack Obama's Hurricane Sandy Recovery and Rebuilding Task Force. He will oversee the seven-member board that advises and votes on contracts, rules, regulations, and other administrative matters. Bova-Hiatt permanently assumes the role of CEO running day-to-day operations after nearly a year in the role on an interim basis and more than 25 years in the public sector, including at the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery and The City University of New York (CUNY). Rubin and Bova-Hiatt's appointments are the result of an extensive national search conducted by New York City, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Mayor Adams, HUD, and SDNY will continue working together on improving NYCHA and on further reforms under the 2019 federal agreement. The roles of chair and CEO were bifurcated last year in line with the planned restructuring outlined in NYCHA's Transformation Plan – changes that were adopted by the NYCHA board on June 15, 2022.
Mayor Adams also appointed First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and experienced financial professional Greg Belinfanti to the NYCHA board and Pamela Campbell to the newly established board of the Public Housing Preservation Trust, filling a role designated for a nominee from a labor union representing NYCHA employees. These appointments follow two previous NYCHA board appointments in January 2023 and the creation of the Trust board with the appointment of six members, including two NYCHA residents. With her expanded portfolio, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer will also join the Trust board as an ex officio member, in line with the state law that outlines the board's makeup. The first board meeting will take place on Friday, July 7.
"We have been clear since day one that NYCHA residents deserve the same quality of life as every New Yorker, and this administration has embraced the responsibility and the opportunity to deliver that," said Mayor Adams. "Lisa Bova-Hiatt has proven that she has what it takes to run this city-within-a-city, and Jamie Rubin brings the wide-ranging experience and critical skills to guide NYCHA's rejuvenation. With the leadership of Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer and the additions of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Greg Belinfanti, and Pamela Campbell to the NYCHA and Public Housing Preservation Trust boards, I am certain that NYCHA is better positioned than ever to face this challenge and provide residents with the safe, high-quality, affordable homes they deserve."
"From day one, NYCHA has a been a priority of the Adams administration and, for the first time in city history, was included as a priority of a mayoral administration's comprehensive housing plan," said First Deputy Mayor Wright. "All New Yorkers deserve quality affordable housing, access to opportunities, and the path for economic mobility. I look forward to working alongside the NYCHA board and to being of service to the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who call NYCHA home."
"NYCHA represents one of this administration's most important avenues to secure affordable housing for the working people of this city. Today's appointments add critical leadership and fortify NYCHA's dedication to maintaining public housing for future generations," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Torres-Springer. "Today's appointments of Lisa Bova-Hiatt, Jamie Rubin, Greg Belinfanti, Pamela Campbell, and our very own First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright send a clear message that this administration is laser-focused on preserving and revitalizing public housing across our city. I am thrilled to continue working with CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt and her team in centering residents and bolstering opportunity across the entire NYCHA community."
"It's an honor to serve as the chair of NYCHA's board and to step into this role at such a pivotal time for the Authority," said NYCHA Chair Rubin. "Mayor Adams has made it clear that he is committed to making public housing the centerpiece of his housing plans. Lisa Bova-Hiatt and her team have made tremendous progress already, and I am looking forward to working with her and the entire NYCHA community."
"Every day, I am honored to serve in this capacity and to have the opportunity to lead the Authority's efforts to maintain and preserve public housing for the hundreds of thousands of residents living in NYCHA developments across the five boroughs," said NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt. "As a lifelong New Yorker and a career public servant, I understand the importance of affordable housing in New York City – and I remain committed to maintaining the momentum of NYCHA's continued transformation. I thank Mayor Adams for this appointment."
From Home Forward's press release:
Home Forward, in partnership with Urban League of Portland, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Fairfield Apartments in downtown Portland on June 29. Fairfield Apartments will be a permanent supportive housing development for people exiting chronic homelessness. The apartment community will preserve 75 units of deeply affordable housing on SW Harvey Milk Street in the heart of Portland’s historic LGBTQIA+ community. The project was made possible, in part, by a $2 million Congressional investment secured by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. Photo credit: Home Forward.
“It is gratifying to see new life breathed into the Fairfield so that it can be used to serve Portlanders in desperate need of stable housing and services close by,” said Sen. Wyden who visited Fairfield Apartments earlier this week. “I was proud to secure federal funding for this apartment community with supportive services that are proven to support Oregonians getting a roof overhead, not just for one night but for the long haul.”
Fairfield Apartments will house up to 75 people exiting chronic homelessness who request culturally specific services within the Black/African American community. Preference will be given to women and people in the LGBTQIA+ community. Residents will pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent, with rental assistance provided by HUD.
“When families and individuals have a stable and safe place to call home and the right support, they can thrive,” said Rep. Bonamici. “I advocated for funding for the Fairfield to help fill a well-known gap in serving people in the Black and LGBTQI+ communities who are disproportionately represented in Oregon’s homeless population. Providing culturally specific services on site at the Fairfield Apartments will empower its residents and open new doors to opportunity.”
The renovated ground floor will have community space, supportive services offices and property management offices, as well as commercial space.The building’s existing residents have been relocated and have the option to return when Fairfield Apartments reopens. Construction is expected to finish by mid-2024 with units fully occupied in early 2025. Home Forward will serve as the building’s owner, property manager, and asset manager, and Urban League of Portland will provide permanent supportive services 24 hours a day. Prosper Portland will own and operate the commercial space.
“Our community faces an affordability crisis and we see it on our streets every day. We are thankful to our Congressional delegation for taking action to help, and we’re proud of the partnerships, particularly with the Urban League and the city of Portland, that will preserve affordable housing in the heart of downtown Portland,” said Home Forward CEO Ivory Mathews.
The City of Portland acquired Fairfield Apartments in 2010 and transferred ownership to Home Forward in 2023 to keep the apartments affordable and complete seismic upgrades and other rehabilitation.
“Right now, we need elected officials to commit to doing whatever is needed to preserve and build affordable housing for the most vulnerable in our community,” said Denetta Monk, Associate Vice President of Programs at Urban League of Portland. “Unhoused women in the Black community—including those who identify as LGBTQ+—face a triple threat of violence, sexism and racism, making living on the streets extraordinarily dangerous. Fairfield Apartments will be a place of refuge for this community and serve as a beacon of hope.”
Construction and design of Fairfield Apartments is being led by Walsh Construction and Peter Meijer Architect. In addition to the direct Congressional appropriation from HUD, other funding was made possible by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the voter-approved Supportive Housing Services funding from the Joint Office of Homeless Services, the City of Portland, U.S. Bank, and Key Bank.
From left: Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Home Forward CEO and CLPHA Board Member Ivory Mathews, and Urban League of Portland Associate Vice President of Programs Denetta Monk. Photo credit: Home Forward.
Fairfield Apartments at a glance:
- Nine studios and 66 single room occupancies (SROs)
- Shared kitchen and bathrooms
- Community room with computer and wifi access, laundry facilities, bike storage and a common kitchen and pantry
- On-site property management and client-centered supportive services
- Centrally located in downtown Portland
- Public transit, including the MAX line and bus stops, within walking distance
- Grocery store and medical care within walking distance
- Culturally responsive tenant education
- Community kitchen stocked with food from Oregon Food Bank
“The Fairfield Apartments demonstrate our continued commitment to helping address Portland's housing crisis," said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. "As Portlanders, we value what makes us different and what brings us together. The story of Fairfield Apartments stands as a reminder not only of the preservation of this historic building, but also the important contribution that the LGBTQ+ community has made to downtown Portland."