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].
*Please let us know if you are working on deadline.
To view all of CLPHA's press releases, click here.
To view all of CLPHA's press statements, click here.
You can subscribe here to our biweekly newsletter, events invite list, and topic specific newsletters. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CLPHA. Or, send us an email with your interests and we would be happy to add you to our press lists.
Thanks again for your interest in CLPHA!
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2019
CLPHA, Housing Experts Discuss Potential Dangers of HUD’s Proposed Housing Assistance Family Rule
A recording of the call is available HERE.
Washington, DC - Earlier today, immigration and housing experts gathered to address concerns regarding a recently proposed rule by the Trump administration that cruelly targets immigrant families to prevent them from receiving federal housing assistance. Experts discussed how the rule, which would affect about 25,000 households, would cruelly impact families of mixed-status.
The rule, the experts noted, would force families apart as they struggled to keep their current housing threatening many with homelessness, including the 55,000 children who are either U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible for housing benefits and who would be separated from their families
Below are quotes from today’s speakers.
Doug Guthrie, President and CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, said, “If this proposed rule change were to go through it would be devastating for Los Angeles families with mixed immigration status. It would impact as many as 11,600 individuals in assisted housing the majority of whom are young children who are American citizens and it would cost the housing authority millions of dollars. This would likely result in thousands of people becoming homeless at a time when homelessness is already a crisis in Los Angeles.”
Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, noted, “HUD’s proposal would force mixed status families to decide between a roof for some, or homelessness for all. This is antithetical to the mission of public housing, which is to provide safe, affordable housing to very low-income families. Instead, this proposal would exacerbate crisis levels of homelessness, divert scarce resources from already underfunded public housing authorities, and instill fear and distrust while doing nothing to make our communities safer or better off.”
Diane Yentel, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition, added, “The cruelty of Secretary Carson’s proposal is breathtaking, and the harm it would inflict on children, families and communities is severe,” said National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel. “Tens of thousands of deeply poor kids, mostly US citizens, could be evicted and made homeless by this proposal, and – by HUD’s own admission – there would be zero benefit to families on waiting lists. This proposal is another in a long line of attempts by the administration to instill fear in immigrants throughout the country. We will not stand for it.”
Arianna Cook-Thajudeen, Bank of America Legal Fellow, National Housing Law Project, said, “The National Housing Law Project opposes this proposed rule because it would have a detrimental impact on the housing stability of millions of families. The federal housing programs in particular serve as a lifeline for many families who are one step away from homelessness. What the Administration is doing is through this proposal is ruthless and reckless. We urge everyone to submit comments to HUD to oppose this rule by July 9th.”
Tory Gunsolley, President and CEO, Houston Housing Authority, remarked, “The current system works. Undocumented occupants are not receiving federal subsidies. The proposed regulations, on the other hand, would cause a needless increase in homelessness and cost the federal government more money. The proposed regulation would force HHA to be an extension of immigration enforcement, a role that does align with our mission to provide safe, affordable housing. It simply doesn't make sense to implement.”
###
The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.
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.
Public Housing Authorities, Community Colleges, College Access Partners Collaborate to Eliminate Barriers to Postsecondary Success
New Report and Recommendations from the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Highlight Innovative Cross-Sector Collaborations to Improve Postsecondary Achievement for Public Housing Residents and Housing-Insecure Students
Featuring Partnerships in Chicago, Columbus, Los Angeles, Louisville, Tacoma
WASHINGTON (May 16, 2019) – A new report released today from the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), with support from The Kresge Foundation, showcases the work of five pioneering public housing authorities (PHAs) that are successfully collaborating with postsecondary institutions and local nonprofit organizations to increase college access, retention, and graduation rates for current public housing residents and college students who are experiencing homelessness. “Eliminating Barriers to Postsecondary Success: Cross-Sector Collaborations to Improve Postsecondary Achievement for Students Served by Public Housing Authorities,” identifies key elements of effective cross-sector collaborations and offers a series of recommendations to policy makers, PHAs, and philanthropic foundations seeking to scale, replicate, and invest in partnerships between housing and education organizations.
“The trailblazing public housing authorities featured in our new report, along with their postsecondary partners, are redefining the traditional role of public housing in their communities to reach beyond four walls and a roof,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “With combined expertise from the housing and education sectors, two profoundly siloed systems, the partners are breaking new ground to implement targeted interventions that would not be possible without cross-sector collaboration. By documenting the successes, challenges, and future plans of the five partnerships, “Eliminating Barriers to Postsecondary Success” is an instruction guide to practitioners, policy makers, and philanthropy seeking new cross-sector solutions to serve low-income families.”
The report elevates 11 findings from a November 2018 convening in Washington, D.C., where partners from the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), City Colleges of Chicago, and One Million Degrees, and the Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and Tacoma Community College discussed their work to provide financial support and housing opportunities for residents and housing insecure college students; the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and partner Southern California College Access Network (SoCal CAN) detailed their program to facilitate the college application and enrollment process among young residents, and the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and partner Columbus State Community College, and the Louisville Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) with partner Family Scholar House explained their dual generation approaches to ensuring young parents can graduate with a degree.
“Housing insecurity and homelessness can create tragic off-campus barriers to student persistence and success,” said Bethany Miller, program officer with the Kresge Foundation’s Education Program. “But solutions-driven partnerships, including those highlighted in CLPHA’s recent analysis, between postsecondary institutions, government agencies and departments, nonprofit social service providers and public housing authorities can tear down those barriers, ease the anxiety of housing insecurity and help more students persist and succeed in college. We support this work because increased educational attainment among students with limited means is the key to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and increasing socioeconomic mobility.”
To announce the release of “Eliminating Barriers to Postsecondary Success: Cross-Sector Collaborations to Improve Postsecondary Achievement for Students Served by Public Housing Authorities,” CLPHA will host a press conference TODAY, May 16, 2019 at 2:30 PM ET during CLPHA's annual Housing Is Summit in Washington, D.C., a two-day meeting devoted to developing and sustaining cross-sector partnerships. The brief press conference will be followed immediately by an on-the-record panel discussion featuring executives engaging in postsecondary partnerships. See below for more details about the press conference and panel, which will both be webcast live at http://bit.ly/2URfFlK.
“Eliminating Barriers to Postsecondary Success” also includes an overview of the federal policies that support and limit postsecondary achievement for students served by PHAs, and profiles of the five partnerships.
Chicago Housing Authority, City Colleges of Chicago, One Million Degrees
“The Chicago Housing Authority is proud to support thousands of residents through CHA scholarships and the Partners in Education program with City Colleges of Chicago,” said Cassie Brooks, assistant director of education for CHA. “In pairing grant aid with individual counseling and holistic student supports from One Million Degrees, we continue toward the goals of increased academic achievement and, ultimately, self-sufficiency. We thank the Kresge Foundation and CLPHA for collaborating with public housing agencies, highlighting resident successes and bringing resident post-secondary programs to the forefront.”
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Southern California College Access Network
“The increasing complex college-going process requires students and families today to be well versed in the academic requirements, financial options, and application procedures,” said Alison De Lucca, executive director of the Southern California College Access Network. “The Southern California College Access Network is deeply grateful for the partnership we’ve forged with the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles to provide one-on-one college advising at the housing sites. For our students, the pathway starts with a conversation, followed by consistent guidance from a skilled college access counselor. As students are admitted to college with solid financial aid packages and the support they need to succeed, a strong message is being sent to all residents that college and career aspirations are within reach. This cross-sector collaboration demonstrates the readiness and need for continued college access support in place-based settings.”
Louisville Metro Housing Authority, Family Scholar House
"The long-standing partnership Louisville Metro Housing Authority has with Family Scholar House has helped hundreds of parents provide a better life and future for their children,” said LMHA Executive Director Lisa Osanka. “More importantly, this partnership is helping to break the generational cycle of poverty and ensuring that more Louisvillians are able to participate in the economic opportunities that exists throughout our community."
“The partnership between Family Scholar House and Louisville Metro Housing Authority has helped make real the dreams of families who have been in need of the stability that is rooted in safe, affordable housing. For our single parents, pursuing dreams of college graduation and new careers begins with a place for them and their children to call home,” said Cathe Dykstra, president and chief executive officer of Family Scholar House. Stronger and more stable families mean stronger and more stable communities.”
Tacoma Housing Authority, Tacoma Community College
“THA’s partnerships with Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington-Tacoma to house homeless or near homeless students is an excellent investment,” said Michael Mirra, executive director of the Tacoma Housing Authority. These students are determined, but without housing their prospects are poor. The degree they seek is a key to their adult prosperity. And since most of them are parents, this is also an investment in the lives and prospects of their children. That makes these partnerships a very good use of scarce housing dollars.”
What: Press Conference and Panel Discussion Announcing CLPHA’s New Report
“Eliminating Barriers to Postsecondary Success: Cross-Sector Collaborations to Improve Postsecondary Achievement for Students Served by Public Housing Authorities”
When: TODAY, May 16, 2019, 2:30 PM ET
Who: CLPHA, The Kresge Foundation, Postsecondary Partners
Press Conference Speakers
Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Bethany Miller, Education Program Officer, The Kresge Foundation
Michael Mirra, Executive Director, Tacoma Housing Authority
Alison De Lucca, Executive Director, Southern California College Access Network
Additional Panelists
Jennifer Thomas Arthurs, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
Cassie Brooks, Assistant Director of Education, Chicago Housing Authority
Erica Walker, Director of Student Development Projects, City Colleges of Chicago
Where: CLPHA's Housing Is Summit
1616 Rhode Island Ave, NW
2nd Floor, Room B
Washington, DC 20009
Webcast Link: http://bit.ly/2URfFlK
RSVP: Jenny Werwa, [email protected]
MEDIA CONTACTS:
CLPHA: Jenny Werwa, [email protected], 202-638-1300x120 / 301-641-5557
Kresge: Kelly Leon, [email protected], 248-643-9630
CHA: Molly Sullivan, [email protected], 312-786-3344
Family Scholar House: Cathe Dykstra, [email protected]
LMHA: Christi Lanier-Robinson, [email protected], 502-609-9141
SoCal CAN: Alison De Lucca, [email protected], 818-742-5583
THA: Brandon Wirth, [email protected], 253-448-2790
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 Housing Is Initiative to better insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
###
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Renowned Physician Dr. Camara Jones to Present Keynote Remarks
WASHINGTON (May 9, 2019) – Collaborators from the housing, health, and education sectors will convene in Washington, D.C., May 16 and 17 for the fifth national Housing Is Summit hosted by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA). The event, featuring plenary sessions devoted to ending intergenerational poverty and keynote remarks from Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and renowned physician Dr. Camara Jones, will bring together 300 policymakers, practitioners, advocates, and researchers who are committed to developing cross-sector partnerships that improve life outcomes for residents of public and affordable housing.
“Housing is essential, but not sufficient to help low-income families thrive and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “CLPHA, through our Housing Is Initiative, fosters connections between housing providers and health care systems, schools, and community organizations to develop targeted interventions that support families served by public housing authorities. The Housing Is Summit celebrates these partnerships, encourages peer-learning, and highlights the complementary roles local innovation and national advocacy play in developing cross-sector solutions to our greatest collective challenges.”
The Summit opens on May 16 with keynote remarks from Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), a long-time activist and champion of ending childhood poverty. Rep. Lee recently worked to secure funding for the congressionally-commissioned landmark study, A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty, which was published in February by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
During a plenary session following Rep. Lee’s remarks, Christine James Brown, chief executive officer of the Child Welfare League of America and a member of the board of the National Academies will present A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty and the authors’ two packages of policy proposals that would reduce child poverty by 50 percent over the next decade.
Joining James Brown for the plenary, the lead author of the groundbreaking article, A Universal Child Allowance: A Plan to Reduce Poverty and Income Instability Among Children in the United States, Dr. Luke Shafer, associate professor for social work and public policy and director of poverty solutions at the University of Michigan, will discuss the significant impact that a universal child allowance of $250 per month could have on the overall health and well-being of children of all incomes, but especially those living in extreme, $2 per day, poverty.
A second plenary session on Thursday will feature David Williams, policy director of Opportunity Insights, the research group led by Dr. Raj Chetty, who will explore how housing mobility research can guide policy and practice.
The first day of the Summit will also include a press conference at 2:30 PM ET announcing the release of CLPHA’s upcoming report, Eliminating Barriers to Postsecondary Success, which profiles the work of five public housing authorities who are collaborating with college access partners and community colleges to increase postsecondary educational achievement for low-income residents and college students experiencing homelessness. Bethany Miller, education program officer with The Kresge Foundation, will moderate a discussion following the press conference with panelists from public housing authorities and postsecondary partners who are participating in this work.
Additional breakout sessions include presentations from national partners and public housing project leads involved in an innovative multi-state, multi-sector collaboration between public housing authorities and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Medicaid managed care plans. They will discuss their project, Improving Health by Aligning Housing and Health Systems, which is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and uses data and analytics to develop place-based health interventions.
Day two of the conference opens with a keynote presentation from Dr. Camara Jones, a senior fellow at Morehouse School of Medicine and recent past president of the American Public Health Association, who will address the systemic, structural racism and other inequities that underlay health disparities and how the social safety net can be strengthened with this understanding.
Attendees will next participate in their choice of peer-to-peer working roundtable discussions on topics such as data sharing with anchor institutions, educating homeless youth, and using technology to address resident health needs.
Afternoon breakout sessions will feature Dr. Craig Pollack, associate professor of health policy and management at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in a panel discussion with researchers who are evaluating the impact of cross-sector interventions to improve health outcomes; a discussion among representatives from public housing authorities and the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services who are working to support long-term housing stability for people who are particularly vulnerable to homelessness; and a case study of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s early childhood education collaboration with Duquesne University and ABK Learning and Development Center to improve life outcomes for residents.
The conference will conclude with a closing plenary session devoted to the role of philanthropy in forging innovative cross-sector collaboration to create long-term change. Representatives from The Gates Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and Melville Charitable Trust will discuss current projects and impact-investing strategies aimed at expanding opportunity and improving long-term life outcomes for lower-income individuals and communities.
The complete Housing Is Summit agenda is available on CLPHA.org.
Many of the conference sessions will be webcast live at the following links:
May 16: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET, LIVE WEBCAST
May 17: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM ET, LIVE WEBCAST
Registration for the Housing Is Summit is currently closed. Members of the media who would like to attend the Summit should contact Jenny Werwa at [email protected].
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 insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
###
|
(Washington, D.C.) October 28, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement applauding President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better announcement this morning: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds President Biden’s announcement of a $1.85 trillion reconciliation framework with $150 billion targeted to affordable housing, the single largest investment in public housing ever. “For decades, millions of public housing residents have suffered from chronic disinvestment in their neighborhoods, exacerbating health, safety, climate risks, and racial inequities. The Build Back Better Act is historic and transformational in its comprehensive long-term approach by making public housing safe and sustainable for generations to come and significantly expanding rental and homeownership assistance. Stable, affordable housing is foundational to the health and economic well-being of all Americans and to our nation as a whole. This unprecedented and long overdue investment in the preservation and expansion of affordable housing, coupled with the Build Back Better Act’s other investments such as universal prekindergarten, the child tax credit, and climate change remediation, will have an historic impact on reducing poverty and improving the climate. “The Biden administration is delivering on a promise that has been decades in the making. CLPHA strongly supports the Building Back Better Act as a history-making investment in public housing and expanding housing opportunities.”
|
|
|
|
(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
October 28, 2021 |
||
|
|
||
|
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
|
|
|
(Washington, D.C.) October 1, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement urging Congress not to cut proposed funding for public housing and rental assistance in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill:
“The transformational Build Back Better Act, proposed by President Biden and currently moving through Congress, will significantly expand the nation’s social safety net by providing safe, quality, and affordable housing to millions of low-income and marginalized families. The $90 billion in expanded rental assistance, $80 billion to preserve public housing, and $37 billion investment in the national Housing Trust Fund that passed the House Financial Services Committee in mid-September represents a significant step forward in federal funding for public and affordable housing. These funding levels are appropriate and justified as they finally make up for generations of chronic neglect and underfunding. For this reason, as negotiations about the size of the reconciliation bill move forward, CLPHA urges Congress to retain the funding levels for expanding rental assistance, preserving public housing, and investing in the nation’s Housing Trust Fund.
“Public and affordable housing has suffered under persistent disinvestment for decades. This has left public housing authorities unable to complete capital improvements, which has helped contribute to the loss of 400,000 affordable homes since 1990. Currently only 1 out of every 4 families who are eligible to receive a Housing Choice Voucher are able to access the program because of a lack of funding. This inadequacy of federal resources not only perpetuates the cycle of poverty, but also costs the American economy about $2 trillion every year in lower wages and productivity because of a shortage of affordable housing in major metropolitan areas.
“CLPHA thanks Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters, and Senate Housing, Banking, and Urban Chair Sherrod Brown for championing housing throughout their careers and during the negotiations over the Build Back Better reconciliation process. Now Congress must commit to fully funding public and affordable housing at the levels in the House Financial Services Committee bill.”
|
||
|
(202) 550-1381
|
||
|
|
||
|
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
||
|
(Washington, D.C.) September 14, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement supporting President Biden’s nomination of Arthur Jemison to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) congratulates Arthur Jemison on his nomination to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Jemison brings deep experience to the assistant secretary position in community development and public housing, including experience with the Boston Housing Authority, a CLPHA member.
We look forward to working with Mr. Jemison to ensure that the vision of President Biden and Secretary Fudge for improving public housing through recapitalizing the public housing portfolio, expanding the Housing Choice Voucher program, addressing systemic racism, and empowering cross-sector partnerships to improve the outcomes for low-income families becomes a reality. CLPHA will strongly support Mr. Jemison throughout the confirmation process.”
Media Contact: David Greer, CLPHA; [email protected], (202) 550-1381 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
||
The Department of Housing and Urban Development today issued additional information about HUD’s contingency plan so that PHAs administering the HCV program may access their HUD-held Housing Assistance Payment Reserves (HHR) under certain circumstances due the lapse in appropriations.
According to the letter, HAP renewal funds and Administrative Fees are scheduled to be paid on time for February, but HUD recognizes that the funds may not cover the monthly HAP needs as a result of additional leasing or costs.
HUD will allow access to HHR funds in situations where the failure to act “would result in an imminent threat to the safety of human life or the protection of property.”
PHAs may request HAP reserves from HUD under the following circumstances:
- To protect families that are imminent risk of termination of assistance; and/or
- PHAs that were eligible to receive a payment for January 2019 and did not receive it (e.g. first time RAD payments for a project) and need reserves to ensure that the property owner(s) receive(s) a HAP payment to continue assistance and protect the residents at the property.
Read the letter for instructions to request an additional payment covered by the HHR.
For more information on the shutdown’s impact on public and affordable housing, join today’s national conference call at 4:00 pm ET for insights from CLPHA and other housing industry experts. Click here to register.
As the partial government shutdown continues and creates more uncertainty for public housing authorities, CLPHA is collecting information on the impacts and effects of the government shutdown on housing authorities and residents.
We are particularly interested in examples regarding landlord willingness to accept new vouchers from HCV participants, and PHA decisions around issuing new vouchers.
We will be sharing your feedback with our media contacts and coalition partners (please let us know if you do not want your PHA’s name identified).
Please send any information to Emily Warren at [email protected] as soon as possible.
CHCDF National Call to Learn About the Impacts of the Government Shutdown
CLPHA, as a member of the steering committee of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding, will be participating in a national conference call on January 15 at 4:00 PM ET to provide updates on the latest information and guidance on how advocates can engage lawmakers to help end the shutdown.
In response to a January 5 Washington Post article focused on new research about where voucher holders live, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman submitted a Letter to the Editor to emphasize examples of PHAs’ innovative housing mobility strategies. Although edited significantly for length, the version published in print and online describes landlord recruitment and retention efforts, and calls for additional local flexibilities and sufficient federal funding.
Today, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman was quoted in Affordable Housing Finance discussing how the shutdown threatens the stability of low-income households. Though HUD has prepared payments for housing vouchers and the public housing operating subsidy through February, Zaterman notes that the “existential threat” for voucher holders looms given the uncertainty of when the shutdown will end. If housing authorities cannot utilize HUD funding after February, there is a risk that that they will not be able to pay landlords and that landlords will subsequently begin to evict voucher-holding tenants.
Zaterman added that as HUD funding remains suspended due to the shutdown, local housing authorities are growing increasingly concerned about how they will maintain properties, make repairs, and pay employees.
CLPHA will continue our advocacy in support of PHAs and will provide members with additional news about the shutdown as we learn it.
From the Los Angeles County Development Authority:
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) and the Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation (LACDF) proudly awarded scholarships to students in the LACDA’s Public Housing and Section 8 Programs. The Resident Scholarship Program accepted scholarship applications in November and recently awarded five students with a $1,000 scholarship to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education. Scholarship recipients are either currently attending or will be enrolled at Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Habor College, and the Universal Technical Institute.
The Resident Scholarship is awarded by the LACDF, a nonprofit organization created to inspire and provide positive life-changing opportunities to the LACDA’s Public Housing residents and Section 8 participants. All high school and college students living in a County Public Housing or Section 8 household, are encouraged to apply. These scholarship opportunities provide recipients with financial support to ease their college experience and cover costs to avoid debt. Scholarships are provided by the generous donations of donors such as Edison International, California Community Foundation, and LACDA employees.
“The Resident Scholarship Program celebrates the hard work and bright futures of students in our Public Housing and Section 8 Programs striving to continue their higher education,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “Through our partnership with the LACDF, residents are provided with resources and support to dream big, reach their goals, and succeed.”
From the New York City Housing Authority's press release:
On Friday, May 8, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) closed on the financing for a $349 million Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) project that will bring comprehensive renovations to over 1,200 residents living in four residential buildings at Moore Houses and East 152nd Street-Courtlandt Avenue in the Melrose section of the Bronx. The buildings have now converted to Project-Based Section 8 through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, unlocking funding that will allow the PACT partner team – Mega Group Development, Brisa Builders Development – to address the capital needs of the development and begin fully rehabilitating apartments, shared spaces, grounds, and building infrastructure to improve residents' quality of life. A PACT first, the comprehensive renovations to Moore Houses and East 152nd Street-Courtlandt Avenue will fully electrify all four buildings for heat, cooling, cooking, and hot water service. The PACT program maintains residents' rights and preserves affordable rents for all households.
“This $349 million closing represents top-to-bottom building and home improvements for the residents of Moore Houses and East 152nd Street-Courtlandt Avenue, shaped by their input and managed by a team they helped select,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg. “Congratulations to each of the residents, and to NYCHA, Mega Group, Brisa Builders, and Cornell Pace teams, on this important milestone – I look forward to seeing much-needed improvements made in the coming years, including electrification, upgrades to community spaces, flood protection, and more.”
“With this financial closing, we're unlocking the necessary funding to complete comprehensive renovations to Moore Houses and East 152nd Street-Courtlandt Avenue,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Through the PACT modernization of these two developments, we'll be making critical quality of life improvements to residents' homes and buildings, as well as common areas and outdoor spaces. This will also be the first time that a NYCHA project has electrified more than one building, as we bring heating, cooling, cooking, and hot water services online in all four buildings, allowing for a greener, more efficient future and reliable utilities while also activating new indoor amenity spaces for resident use.”
“This financial closing brings the PACT program to a total of $10.3 billion unlocked citywide for improvements to NYCHA campuses, buildings, homes, and most importantly, for the communities that call them home,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer Jonathan Gouveia. “PACT has brought sweeping improvements to the doorsteps and into the homes of so many NYCHA residents, making a tangible difference in their lives, and we're looking forward to continuing this progress at Moore Houses and East 152nd Street-Courtlandt Avenue.”
“The tenant association is excited and eagerly anticipating the upcoming repairs that the PACT partners will be implementing here at Moore Houses,” said Moore Houses Tenant Association President Rosa Pinero. “We’re looking forward to the positive impact this will have on the community. It’s awesome to see real investment here – making it safter, cleaner, and more pleasurable for our tenants – and the new landscaping and building updates will have a big impact on our daily lives. We have maintained a great relationship with the PACT partners in a way that allows us to feel seen and heard, and we’re thrilled that our development will finally receive lasting changes that will benefit our residents for many years to come.”
Atlanta Housing (AH) has launched two new programs aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities for low-income households.
At AH's 2026 State of Atlanta Housing event, the PHA announced a new initiative providing up to $60,000 in down payment assistance for eligible participants in its Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), more than doubling the previous maximum of $25,000. AH also announced a new partnership between Atlanta Housing (AH) and Pretium designed to create a complete and more achievable pathway to homeownership for HCVP families.
Together, these efforts combine significant financial assistance, access to quality homes and personalized homebuyer support to help families successfully transition from subsidized housing to homeownership within the City of Atlanta. Through the Pretium partnership, eligible families can pursue the purchase of single-family homes sold by Pretium while also receiving tailored education and financial guidance to navigate the process with confidence.
“Atlanta Housing remains focused on our vision to use housing as a foundation to lift families to economic freedom,” said Terri M. Lee, President and CEO of Atlanta Housing. “This new partnership reflects the kind of public-private collaboration we believe is essential to close the gap between housing stability and economic opportunity. We are grateful for Pretium’s willingness to partner with Atlanta Housing to help remove barriers to homeownership for our families.”
“Our new $60,000 down payment assistance program is about turning readiness into reality. These families are stable, working, and ready for the next step. Today, we are making our most significant investment in down payment assistance yet. As we help one family move forward, we also free up space for another,” Lee added.
“Pretium has long served Housing Choice Voucher families in Atlanta, and we are proud to help create a pathway for those same residents to become homeowners,” said Tatiana Gutierrez, Head of Corporate Impact at Pretium. “This partnership demonstrates how public-private partnerships expand access to homeownership while bringing capital to preserve safe, quality, affordable housing stock for local rental markets. We look forward to working with Atlanta Housing to continue supporting families on their paths to homeownership.”
At the center of the new partnership initiative is a coordinated approach that pairs financial support with housing access and long-term stability investments. Pretium will offer single-family homes within the city priced at or below $375,000 for participating families and provide a seller subsidy of up to $10,000 per transaction based on lease tenure. The company will also fund and complete, with its affiliate Progress Residential, up to $15,000 in property renovations for each home, as needed, and offer one year of post-purchase repair, maintenance and homeowner-stability support to help ensure long-term success.
Beyond the transaction itself, the partnership also introduces workforce development opportunities tied to Atlanta’s housing ecosystem. These pathways will support careers in property management, maintenance, construction and administrative services, helping families build not only equity through homeownership but also long-term income stability.
The pilot builds on Atlanta Housing’s existing homeownership program, which has provided up to $25,000 in down payment assistance and other supports to help families pursue ownership. When a participating HCVP family transitions to homeownership through the pilot, Pretium will coordinate with Atlanta Housing to make the vacated home, or an alternative home, available for another eligible voucher holder creating a cycle of opportunity that expands access across the system.
While homeownership remains one of the clearest pathways to long-term stability and economic independence, many Atlanta families continue to face barriers including limited affordable inventory, high upfront costs and the complexity of preparing for and sustaining a mortgage. This initiative is designed to directly address those challenges.
To further strengthen outcomes, an Atlanta-based mortgage partner will deliver HUD-approved homebuyer education and individualized mortgage-readiness assessments to prepare families for sustainable homeownership. The lender will also assist buyers in identifying supplemental down-payment or closing-cost resources to maximize purchasing power and long-term success.
This new partnership is another innovation in Atlanta Housing’s broader Resident Renaissance initiative, a resident-centered strategy to help families move from housing stability to economic mobility and long-term independence. Resident Renaissance is powered by Atlanta Housing’s continued work with the private sector to build a more complete ecosystem of support for residents. By aligning housing, workforce development, transportation and other life-building resources, Atlanta Housing is creating stronger pathways for families to thrive.
From the DC Housing Authority's press release:
On April 28, Park Morton Apartments received the 2026 Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing from ULI Washington, the local arm of the national nonprofit Urban Land Institute.
The award recognizes Phase 1 of the multi-phase redevelopment of the former Park Morton public housing community, a project led by a private-public partnership of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), nonprofit The Community Builders (TCB), and Dantes Partners.
“ULI Washington’s recognition of Park Morton Apartments highlights the impact of thoughtful public investment and strong partnerships. This project delivers affordable housing, supports resident opportunity, and advances the District’s vision for inclusive neighborhood growth,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert.
Located at 610 Park Road NW in the Park View neighborhood, the 142-unit Park Morton Apartments is a fully affordable multifamily building that includes 40 replacement units for returning Park Morton residents. DCHA, TCB and Dantes Partners are co-developers of the site, which originally consisted of 12 garden-style apartment buildings.
“Park Morton Apartments has created high-quality affordable housing and shared community spaces in a thriving, opportunity-rich neighborhood that offers access to transportation and other amenities that support resident empowerment,” said Nicole Wickliffe, Interim Executive Director of DCHA. “Thank you to our Park Morton residents for your commitment and passion for your community, and to all of our partners for working together to bring our collective vision to life. The ULI Washington award recognizes what can be accomplished when residents’ voices are prioritized.”
The newly constructed midrise building offers studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a four-bedroom apartment, and includes units with accessible features for persons with disabilities. The modern rental property is available to tenants earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI).
Unit features include simulated hardwood flooring, balconies, dishwashers and in-unit washers and dryers. Community amenities include a parking garage, fitness center, rooftop lounge, two courtyards, a “Kids Hub” lounge, a “Tech Hub” coworking space, a resident lounge and covered bike storage.
“Park Morton Apartments demonstrates what’s possible when the District, nonprofit developers, and private partners work together with residents at the center,” said Bart Mitchell, President and CEO of The Community Builders. “This award from ULI Washington recognizes a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, deeply affordable housing while honoring the Park View community and creating a foundation for long-term opportunity. We’re proud of this milestone and grateful to our partners for their leadership and collaboration.”
“Park Morton Apartments represents the best of what the District of Columbia can be in providing affordable and workforce housing,” said Buwa Binitie, Founder and CEO of Dantes Partners. “We look forward to on-going collaboration between the District, private development partners and residents to ensure the creation and on-going viability of much-needed affordable housing communities such as this one.”
The five-story multifamily rental property is the first on-site building delivered under the New Communities Initiative (NCI), a District government program that creates vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods. It also marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Park Morton Redevelopment Plan.
Future phases will include the construction of 47 townhomes, with 17 rental replacement units and 30 homeownership units; and 250 off-site rental apartments, including 90 replacement units, located less than a quarter mile away at the former Bruce Monroe School.
From the King County Housing Authority's press release:
King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative, a strategic partnership to strengthen opportunities for young people ages 14-19 growing up in KCHA communities in Auburn, Kent, and Shoreline.
The $800,000 investment for the first year will implement proven programs that build belonging and community stability for all young people, including those impacted by trauma or other life challenges. Programs and interventions will focus on positive youth development approaches that prevent violence, foster connection and opportunity, and create safer, more supportive environments where young people can thrive.
The Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative builds on the strong youth programming already in place across multiple KCHA communities. The initiative is designed to add to existing out-of-school time programs, bringing in additional resources and staff who will build trusting relationships with young people, strengthening the overall support system so more of our youth can thrive.
KCHA received an overwhelming response to this Request for Proposal (RFP) and appreciates the many qualified organizations that applied, which shows just how committed this region is to supporting our youth.
Partnerships
Following a robust application review process, KCHA is announcing new awards and partnerships under the Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative to two community-based organizations: CHOOSE180 and Northwest Credible Messenger.
CHOOSE 180, a community-based organization with over a decade of experience serving system-impacted youth across King County, will partner with KCHA to serve youth living at Ballinger Homes in Shoreline. Their intervention-focused, credible-messenger model meets youth where they are, within housing communities, schools, and community spaces, through proactive outreach, structured group programming, and individualized mentorship. Grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based practices, this approach emphasizes relationship-building, accountability, and skill development to reduce conflict, strengthen connections to trusted adults, and support safer community environments.
Northwest Credible Messenger will partner with KCHA to serve youth living at targeted housing communities located in Kent and Auburn, delivering healing-centered, place-based programming for youth impacted by community violence. Using a peer credible-messenger model, the organization provides proactive outreach, rotating group sessions, voluntary one-on-one mentorship, and restorative supports that foster safety, trust, and connection to caring adults. This flexible, relationship-driven program is led by staff with lived experience and strong community connections, grounded in healing-centered and evidence-informed practices, and designed to engage youth often disconnected from traditional services while strengthening coordination across KCHA communities.
What People Are Saying
“Young people growing up in our neighborhoods deserve to feel safe, supported, and connected to opportunity. Stable housing is the foundation, and partnerships with community organizations bring relationships, tools, and resources that create the conditions for young people to thrive. We’re excited to launch the Youth Safety & Belonging Initiative with Choose 180 and Northwest Credible Messenger to make our communities even stronger and give our young people a brighter future.” – Robin Walls, President and CEO, King County Housing Authority
“KCHA is making a meaningful investment directly into the communities they are embedded within and that alignment matters deeply to us at CHOOSE 180. We believe that when communities invest in our youth early, we create stronger neighborhoods for everyone. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to building upstream and intervention-based approaches that strengthen belonging, deepen community connection and create meaningful opportunities for young people to thrive.” –Nneka Payne, M.Ed, Chief Executive Officer, CHOOSE 180
“At Northwest Credible Messenger, we believe true youth safety begins with healing, connection, and opportunity. The KCHA Youth Safety and Belonging initiative represents an important investment in place-based services and supports that meet young people where they are, honor their lived experiences, and strengthen the communities surrounding them. When we center Healing-Centered Engagement and trust community leadership, we co-create pathways with young people and families to live out their aspirations to the fullest.” – Dr. Jason J. Clark, Director, Northwest Credible Messenger
"True safety is more than crime prevention, especially for our South King County youth. Safety is about looking after each other, developing social and emotional support systems, and building community right here in Auburn and across the region. This new initiative reflects an approach Auburn has embraced for nearly a decade — pairing compassion with accountability and strong community connections to foster belonging, prevent violence, and support our young residents." – Nancy Backus, Mayor of Auburn
“In Kent, we know that when young people feel safe, supported, and connected, our whole community is stronger. Our partnership with KCHA and our shared support for young people ensures that Kent remains a place where every family can thrive. Stable housing, early intervention, and creating opportunities for youth to feel seen and valued are essential to public safety and can inspire young people to reach their full potential.” – Dana Ralph, Mayor of Kent
“When we invest in youth well-being, we strengthen the future of our entire community. Shoreline’s partnership with KCHA brings together government, nonprofits, and neighborhoods to meet people where they are, collaborate to create pathways to opportunity, and empower our youth and families to become leaders.” – Betsy Robertson, Mayor of Shoreline