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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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Experts to Present First National Snapshot of Health Partnerships in Public Housing
Free Webinar Aug. 29, 12 PM ET
WASHINGTON (August 28, 2018) - Half of the nation’s public housing authorities (PHAs) are engaged in a resident health initiative, most with a health organization partner according to Health Starts at Home: A National Snapshot of Public Housing Authorities' Health Partnerships, the latest report released by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) and the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC). The report provides the first national snapshot of PHA efforts to address residents’ health care needs and emphasizes opportunities for collaboration between the health and housing sectors.
Report authors Steve Lucas, MPH, CLPHA Health Research and Policy Manger for the Housing Is Initiative, Keely Stater, PHD, PAHRC Director of Research and Industry Intelligence, and Kelly McElwain, PAHRC Research Analyst III, will present their analysis during a free webinar on August 29, 2018 at 12:00 PM ET.
“Housing and health systems need to work together,” said Lucas, who designed and implemented the original survey that led to the report. “Public housing authorities are significant providers of housing to those in need, offering the health sector scale and expertise. We found that PHAs across the country are engaged in a wide range of partnerships with different health organizations that address various target populations and health priorities. Though there are barriers to housing-health collaboration, such as funding and staffing capacity, these can be overcome with cross-system partnerships that seek to address these needs.”
Lucas published the initial survey findings in an issue of CityScape, a research publication of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. The article, “Connecting Fragmented Systems: Public Housing Authority Partnerships with the Health Sector,” is posted to the HUD User website.
What: Free Webinar: Building PHA Health Initiatives and Cross-Sector Partnerships
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018, 12:00 PM ET
WEBINAR RECORDING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5-jm5eF_YU&t=24s
Webinar Presenters
Steve Lucas, MPH
Health Research and Policy Manager, Housing Is Initiative,
Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
Keely Stater, PhD
Director of Research and Industry Intelligence,
Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation,
HAI Group's Research Division
Kelly McElwain
Research Analyst III,
Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation,
HAI Group's Research Division
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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 26 percent of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA.
About Housing Is
CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative helps establish, broaden, and deepen efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. We are building a future where systems work together to improve life outcomes for low-income people. Learn more at HousingIs.org and on Twitter @Housing_Is.
CLPHA Opposes Administration Proposal to Increase Rent Burden on Lowest-Income Residents
WASHINGTON (May 14, 2018) - The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) strongly opposes the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) recently announced proposal to increase rent burdens on low-income residents residing in public housing and assisted housing.
The core of HUD’s rent reform proposal is to shift the burden of chronic federal underfunding of assisted housing to low-income residents who can least afford it. While there are advantages to a proposal that simplifies rent calculations and reduces administrative burdens for public housing authorities (PHAs), this proposal requires that PHAs raise rents in order to benefit from common sense rent simplification. Even with the benefit of housing assistance, many public housing residents are already spending more than 30% of their income on rent. A 2017 HUD study reported that the average Housing Choice Voucher recipient had a rent burden of 37% in 2015. Nationally, we represent PHAs serving residents in the most expensive housing markets in the country, where voucher holders are especially likely to have to incur high rent burdens to gain access to higher opportunity neighborhoods of their choice.
Given existing rent burdens, this proposal raises serious concerns about the negative impact the proposed rent calculations would have on residents. Through changes to 35% of unadjusted income for families and 30% of unadjusted income for the elderly and disabled, many assisted households would see significant rent increases. For example, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) estimates that public housing residents would see an average 36% rent increase while Housing Choice Voucher households would experience an average 23% rent increase. With an average annual household income of $21,000 for public housing residents and $16,000 for voucher holders served by HACLA, these increases represent substantial burdens that may interfere with a household’s ability to afford other necessities.
Beyond concerns regarding the fairness of further cost-burdening residents, there is some evidence to suggest that increased rents do not financially benefit PHAs and may have the opposite effect. When the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) implemented a HUD-mandated flat rent increase in 2014, impacted residents experienced an average rent increase of 46%. NYCHA saw their rent collection rate decrease among those impacted by the increase. NYCHA’s experience reflects the reality that increased rent payments only exacerbates affordability issues and puts more residents at risk of delinquency and eviction, resulting in more challenges for PHAs and less predictable revenue.
In addition to our concerns about the impacts of the proposed rent calculations, we note that the timing of these proposed changes are problematic for two reasons. First, some components of the proposal contradict important changes to housing assistance made through the recent federally enacted Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) in 2016 by unanimous vote of the House and Senate. HUD has yet to publish implementation regulations for some of the key provisions in the bill. For example, HOTMA increased the deduction of medical expenses for elderly and disabled families and tied the deduction to inflation, while HUD’s proposal eliminates these deductions entirely. A significant number of elderly and disabled households currently use medical deductions, many of whom have substantial medical costs. We question the elimination of this deduction particularly when it is already undergoing a very different set of changes through congressionally-mandated HOTMA.
We also question the timing of these proposed changes given the fact that in 2012, HUD commissioned a four-site demonstration from MDRC to study several rent reform elements included in the proposal, including triennial recertification, elimination of income deductions, and ignorable asset limits. One of the research questions the demonstration is explicitly testing is whether these reforms reduce work disincentives and increase family self-sufficiency among families receiving vouchers. With results expected in 2019, HUD should use insights from the study to inform design of a rent reform model that most effectively promotes self-sufficiency.
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
CLPHA, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit organization working to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. It represents most of the nation’s largest public housing authorities.
Web tool targets idea-sharing and improves cross-sector
collaboration to help low-income families
April 28, 2021
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(Washington, D.C.) April 28, 2021 – CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement in response to President's Biden's joint address to Congress tonight to mark his first 100 days in office:
"President Biden’s commitment to investing in our nation’s future through the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan, which was released tonight, has the potential to lift the lives of more than 2 million families living in our nation’s public and affordable housing. The American Jobs Plan improves the lives of public housing residents through a $40 billion commitment to retrofit and rebuild public housing properties to 21st century codes and standards.
"The American Families Plan improves the lives of public housing residents by expanding access to quality pre-school, direct support to children and families through child care, and investing of the childcare workforce, of which many public housing residents are employed. Because public housing residents are often employed in low-wage positions that do not offer paid leave they will be among the many beneficiaries of the national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program in the Families Plan.
"Public housing has always been about more than buildings. It is about the hopes and dreams of millions of Americans. The combination of the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan is a powerful offer to make those dreams a reality."
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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April 22, 2021
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
April 9, 2021
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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.
In this December 27, 2018 article by Bruce Japsen for Forbes.com, CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman discusses the importance of cross-sector collaborations between housing and health care to improve life outcomes for low-income families and seniors.
“We’re housers with expertise in the management and operation of affordable housing for low-income families and seniors, but we are not experts in the complexities of health care service delivery,” Zaterman said. “That’s why nearly all of the public housing authorities we surveyed work with a partner to provide health services. Most would do more if they had the funding and resources to commit to their health partnerships.”
Anthony Scott, CEO of Durham Housing Authority (left) and A. Fulton Meachem, President & CEO of Charlotte Housing Authority (right) in Durham, NC.
CLPHA is pleased to see that our members are visiting each other’s communities to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices for preserving and strengthening their public housing portfolios and resident services.
In August, the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) hosted the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and Durham city officials on a bus tour of Charlotte public housing properties. The Durham delegation also met with CHA staff, board members, and residents to discuss how Charlotte is transforming its housing portfolio and resident services through entrepreneurial efforts in real estate development, bond programs, property management, and family self-sufficiency programs. You can watch a video slideshow of the Charlotte & Durham meeting here.
In October, residents, staff, and board members from the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) traveled to Cambridge, MA to meet with Cambridge Housing Authority staff and tour public housing communities. MPHA learned from Cambridge about their ongoing, comprehensive public housing transformation financed through the RAD program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and other funding tools. In a post-trip recap, MPHA said their residents expressed the importance of seeing and hearing for themselves that these programs did not result in displacement. In fact, said MPHA, “CHA residents were often able to simply move units and continue living in their building even as the work proceeded around them.” You can watch a video about MPHA’s trip to Cambridge here.
Representatives from the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority on a bus tour of Cambridge Housing Authority properties.
From the City of Norfolk's press release:
The City of Norfolk, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), the Franklin Group and Brinshore Development celebrated the grand opening of the first two buildings at Kindred with an official ribbon cutting ceremony today, Sept. 17, at noon. The buildings, Reunion Senior Living and Origin Circle, are now fully leased, including 44 former Tidewater Gardens residents who have chosen to return to Kindred.
This milestone represents a significant advancement in the St. Paul’s Area Transformation/Tidewater Gardens Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI). With a total investment exceeding $300 million, including a $30-million HUD grant, this initiative is among the largest redevelopment projects undertaken by the City and NRHA.
A key component of the CNI grant is the assurance that original Tidewater Gardens families have the right and option to return to the revitalized community if they choose. Both the City and NRHA have supported this right through resolutions that formalize this and offer services to ensure they are able to do so. These services include assistance with applications, payment of security deposits and moving expenses and securing utilities for the new units.
Throughout construction, families received comprehensive relocation support and an array of holistic services including assistance with housing stability, education, economic mobility, and health and wellness.
Through the People First Initiative, residents are securing better-paying jobs and children are gaining access to health insurance, high-quality early childhood programs, and after-school enrichment opportunities. Youth are receiving essential resources to address developmental delays, leading to improved testing scores in reading and math. Adults are now connected to healthcare services, managing chronic conditions more effectively. These services are provided by People First, empowered by Urban Strategies, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that Tidewater Gardens families are stable and thriving. Since the redevelopment began, People First has facilitated relocation for Tidewater Gardens residents with several families achieving homeownership and more than 90 percent of residents moving to neighborhoods with low poverty rates with a Housing Choice Voucher.
Reunion Senior Living at Kindred is a 72-unit senior living community offering one- and two-bedroom apartments. It features amenities such as a fitness center, computer lab, community spaces, on-site management and off-street parking.
Origin Circle at Kindred is a family development with 120 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The property includes 3,600 square feet of indoor community and amenity space, outdoor gathering areas, a playground and 4,700 square feet of retail space along Church Street.
Both buildings boast high-end interior finishes, are EarthCraft Gold certified, and feature Energy Star-rated appliances and water-conserving fixtures. A community art project features stunning artwork by local artists, enhancing the common areas of both buildings with vibrant decorations.
The next two buildings are currently under construction with an anticipated completion date of Fall 2025.
From the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority's press release:
For every $1 spent by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), the state economy gained an impressive $2.24 return on investment, with CMHA issuing more than $800 million in annual subsidies to private landlords while creating or sustaining over 9,000 jobs across Ohio.
Those are among the findings from a new study CMHA released today, conducted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation in collaboration with financial consultant SRC EvalMetrics LLC, that measured CMHA’s impact on Franklin County, the Columbus metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and Ohio.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides nonpartisan research to public policymakers. The research helps Ohio lawmakers understand how policies will impact the state’s economy, competitiveness and job creation.
For this new study commissioned by CMHA, researchers analyzed data beginning in 2018 in terms of job creation, income generation and overall economic output. All numbers were calculated in 2023 dollars.
In Franklin County and beyond, the report finds CMHA’s activities have translated into substantial economic contributions — generating $1.8 billion in earnings, contributing $3.28 billion in value-added output and delivering an $818 million boost to Ohio’s gross state product.
The data shows CMHA’s overall economic contribution produced a gross output of over $6 billion across Ohio during a five-year span starting in 2018. Gross output is the broadest measure of economic activity, representing the market value of all goods and services produced, including both value-added and the cost of intermediate inputs.
“These figures, however, only partially capture CMHA's true value,” said Ohio Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Stivers.
“The real measure of success is seen in the improved quality of life for Ohio residents, the rejuvenation of communities and the creation of sustainable, supportive environments that empower individuals and families to thrive,” Stivers said. “By continuing to foster secure, affordable housing, CMHA is laying the groundwork for healthier, more prosperous communities — a mission that goes beyond mere numbers to touch the lives of every individual it serves."
The report highlights the crucial role CMHA plays in supporting Ohio’s most vulnerable residents.
As a key advocate and organizer, CMHA is tasked with allocating resources to ensure that very low and low-income wage-earning families have access to affordable housing options. As noted in the report, CMHA’s support is not just about providing shelter — it also offers a stepping stone toward achieving financial stability for families. By securing affordable housing, CMHA client-families become active participants in the economic cycle of their communities. The heads of these households contribute to job creation and generate economic ripple effects that underscore the broader economic and social value of CMHA’s initiatives, according to the report.
One of the most surprising results came from Ohio Chamber Foundation research that compared CMHA’s economic impact and the economic impact of The Ohio State University’s athletics department.
The data shows CMHA outperforms The Ohio State University’s athletics in terms of economic impact, with CMHA generating $362 million in earnings compared to $134 million for Buckeyes athletics. In addition, direct and indirect employment for CMHA totaled 7,004 jobs versus 1,890 jobs supported by OSU athletics.
“Over the past five years, CMHA’s activities have left an undeniable mark on our community as well as the residents we serve by working together to provide affordable housing to all,” said CMHA Board of Commission Chair James L. Ervin Jr.
“The results from the Chamber’s study are equally undeniable: CMHA is a major driving force that spurs local economies throughout Central Ohio, not just benefiting CMHA residents but also supporting businesses and workers across the Buckeye State,” Ervin said.
From KFOX 14 News El Paso:
More than 100 families and residents are now enjoying "modernized living spaces" after the city hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a revitalized apartment complex in northeast El Paso on Tuesday.
El Paso's housing authority, also known as Housing Opportunity Management Enterprises or HOME, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday for the Sun Pointe Apartments, a newly redeveloped complex in northeast El Paso.
Formerly known as the Roosevelt Apartments, Sun Pointe is a 146-unit affordable housing complex that underwent a $28 million rehabilitation, providing "modernized living spaces" for its families and residents, the city said in a statement.
“This redevelopment represents a significant investment in the well-being of our community and the future of affordable housing in El Paso,” said HOME CEO Gerald Cichon. “We are proud to reopen Sun Pointe as a symbol of progress, resilience, and commitment to providing quality homes for our residents.”
Read KFOX 14 News El Paso's article "Affordable northeast El Paso apartment complex unveiled following $28M rehab."
From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) press release:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is receiving additional funding –over $37 million in Tenant Protection Vouchers in an effort to maintain a resident-first focus during ongoing repairs. Additionally, NYCHA recently also received $7.5 million to remove lead-based paint from public housing.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman announced these funds today during a visit to a Brooklyn affordable housing complex managed by NYCHA. While touring the property, Acting Secretary Todman highlighted all the ways HUD is working to reduce housing costs and expand assistance for lower-income Americans. This includes boosting access to energy efficiency and clean energy, which can help lower utility bills and create more sustainable, affordable homes for the families HUD serves.
“HUD is working to ensure that all Americans have access to homes that are not just affordable, but resilient,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today, I am proud not only to release more funding to help New York families, but to announce new actions to boost access to solar energy for these families. We know that solar energy can reduce both emissions and housing costs for owners and residents, and this Administration is working to ensure low-income families receive these critical benefits.”
From KOCO 5 News Oklahoma City:
A $500,000 grant could help residents at one of Oklahoma City's oldest public housing complexes get access to services.
A partnership with the Oklahoma City Housing Authority and the nonprofit Lillyfield provided a private grant to Will Rogers Courts, a low-income housing community. The Oklahoma City Housing Authority will transform one of the property's existing buildings into a community center, where Lillyfield will be housed.
"The one thing that separates the people struggling from those of us who are doing a little better tends to be opportunity, so what we hope to do is extend opportunities to the folks here," Lillyfield Executive Director Holly Towers said.
The money will help bring services to families at Will Rogers Courts.
“We’ll be doing things like bringing OCCC (Oklahoma City Community College) on site to help families connect with them, bringing the Goodwill mobile employment van on site. We’ll be providing, through Community Action Agency, classes about financial stability and how to build your savings," Towers said.
Throughout the next six months, residents, 89% of whom are unemployed, will get a say in what services will be offered and how they want to transform their neighborhood and future.
“Transportation and child care is such a barrier for residents living here in the Will Rogers neighborhood that bringing the opportunity to their home will be a life changer for everyone," Laura Gregory, the director of resident services at the Oklahoma City Housing Authority said. "It’s a time for us to meet with the community and services partners to really come together and revitalize, reimagine what this neighborhood could look like."
Read KOCO 5 News' article "Will Rogers Courts gets $500K grant to bring services to residents."