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 dgreer@clpha.org.
*Please let us know if you are working on deadline.
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To view all of CLPHA's press statements, click here.
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Thanks again for your interest in CLPHA!
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(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
March 31, 2021 |
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(Washington, D.C.) March 31, 2021 – Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement upon President Biden’s announcement of the American Jobs Plan:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds President Biden’s transformative American Jobs Plan to reimagine and rebuild the American economy by centering housing as key to accomplishing the administration’s top priorities of economic impact, racial equity, and climate change. The $213 billion to produce, preserve, and retrofit more than one million housing units, with $40 billion targeted at the long-neglected public housing capital needs, is the size and scale that can move the needle on improving public housing infrastructure. CLPHA has called for a 10-year road map to recapitalize the public housing portfolio.
“The centrality of public and affordable housing means its impact reaches beyond shelter. It is also critical to other key elements of the American jobs plan including expanding broadband, improving childcare, and increasing health care opportunities. Public housing authorities are the most efficient delivery mechanism for these critical services because of their understanding of local needs, especially the needs of underserved communities of color. Public housing authorities stand ready to implement the bill when it becomes law.
CLPHA will work closely with Congress to ensure that the housing provisions are fully funded and remain central to the bill.”
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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March 11, 2021
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(Washington, D.C.) March 11, 2021 – Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement upon President Biden’s signing of the American Rescue Plan Act into law:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds President Biden for signing into law the groundbreaking American Rescue Plan Act. When combined with the $25 billion in emergency rental assistance in the previous relief bill, the total $45 billion in emergency rental assistance and $5 billion to prevent homelessness is scaled to the enormous scope of the rental crisis with more than 11 million renters behind on rent. The law is also historic in nature as it represents the largest federal investment since the creation of the Great Society programs more than 55 years ago, which launched what is now known as the Housing Choice Voucher program. Estimates show that the American Rescue Plan Act’s war on poverty will reduce the projected poverty rate this year by half. This historic investment in alleviating poverty and expanding housing opportunities constitutes one of the most significant steps towards ending racial inequity since the legislation passed during the Civil Rights Era.
"The American Rescue Plan acknowledges that housing stability for all Americans is essential to the economic well-being, racial equity, and public health of the nation. While this legislation directs critical federal investment to pandemic relief, new transformational federal investments will be needed to address the affordable housing crisis that was only exacerbated by the pandemic, including a 10-year roadmap to recapitalize the public housing portfolio and a permanent and significant expansion of the Housing Choice Voucher program.
"CLPHA looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to make stable housing a reality for all Americans."
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
March 10, 2021 |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is a national non-profit organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. CLPHA’s 70 members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Together they manage 40 percent of the nation’s public housing program; administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA .
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
The Housing Is Initiative, led by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on Twitter @housing_is.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP)will redevelop the vacant Larimer School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, into 35 affordable housing units. This project is part of HACP’s larger Larimer/East Liberty Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment plan.
The Otto Bremer Trust awarded a $100,000 grant and a $500,000 low-interest loan to the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA). MPHA will use the loan to support housing authority operations for its 6,000 public housing units and will use the grant to fund construction of the 16-unit Minnehaha Townhomes, slated to open in 2019.
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles alongside partner Meta Housing Corporation, opened El Segundo Apartments and 127th Street Apartments in Harbor Gateway, two new communities offering a combined 160 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless families and individuals.
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), partner Red Eye, Inc., and celebrity guests celebrated the opening of the Watts Empowerment Center Sports Complex at HACLA’s Imperial Courts community with basketball games, soccer matches, a slam dunk contest, and other activities.
Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS)President Mary-Margaret Lemons penned an op-ed in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about FWHS’s efforts to increase the city’s affordable housing options, such as their utilization of the RAD program.
From WTNH 8 News New Haven:
The Housing Authority of New Haven cut the ribbon Friday on 40 housing units in the West Rock neighborhood.
Karen DuBois-Walton, the president of Elm City Communities, said there are 40,000 families on a waitlist for affordable housing.
“So, this is going to be a step for some families who have been waiting,” she said. “The first units will be for folks who are coming back, but not everybody returns, so there are new units available.”
The Valley Townhomes development includes 32 housing units designated as “affordable” and eight market-rate apartments. They replace a development built on the spot in the 1970s that was demolished.
The development includes energy efficient units, a community center and a playscape.
From the Houston Housing Authority's press release:
For an 83-year-old grandmother, a simple bathroom renovation means she can now shower safely without fear of falling. Across town, a young family is preparing to move to a neighborhood with better schools, a dream they never thought possible. These life-changing moments are becoming reality for many Houstonians, thanks to two new programs launched by the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With $6.25 million in funding, these initiatives are redefining what affordable housing means for vulnerable residents.
The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program offers comprehensive support to families with Housing Choice Vouchers to expand their housing and neighborhood options, while the Older Adult Home Modification Program provides essential safety and accessibility modifications, enabling low-income seniors to safely age in place.
"These programs will significantly expand our ability to support those in need," said David A. Northern Sr., President and CEO of HHA. "One program provides mobility-related services to enrolled families, enhancing their housing choices and access to high-opportunity areas. The other assists low-income seniors by making essential home modifications, facilitating safer and more accessible living environments."
The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program addresses barriers like security deposits, housing search time, and landlord acceptance to increase access to desirable areas for voucher holders, helping families move into neighborhoods with better schools, lower crime rates, and more opportunities.
The Older Adult Home Modification Program is designed to help seniors stay in their own homes instead of moving to nursing homes or other assisted care facilities. By making modifications that enhance safety, improve accessibility, and boost functional abilities, the program reduces the risk of falls and supports older adults in living independently.
"With these groundbreaking programs, we are tackling the affordable housing crisis head-on," said Candace Valenzuela, Regional Administrator for HUD. "Here, HUD is supporting Houston's efforts with over $6 million in grant funds. Houston's leadership in adopting these initiatives underscores a dedicated effort to reduce housing disparities and provide critical support to both families and seniors in need."
"Launching the Older Adult Home Modification Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program in Houston enables HHA to make more critical investments in the future of our city," said Jody Proler, Chair, HHA Board of Commissioners. "These programs not only enable HHA to extend its services and resources to more Houstonians, they also align with our charge to provide more equitable and accessible affordable housing options for a promising future."
From Rep. Pete Aguilar's press release:
Yesterday, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $2.6 million in federal funding for the Arrowhead Grove Community Resource Center, which will provide supportive services focused on health, wellness, housing stability services and economic self-sufficiency for Arrowhead Grove residents.
Following the announcement, Rep. Aguilar co-hosted a roundtable with the Federal Home Loan Bank, National CORE and regional leaders to discuss how supportive services like job training, outpatient health services and child care play a role in addressing the housing crisis.
According to a Point-in-Time Count and Survey conducted last year, homelessness in San Bernardino County increased by over 25 percent in 2023, and 71 percent of the homeless population were unsheltered. Over the past two years, Rep. Aguilar announced over $72 million for Housing, Homelessness and Supportive projects. These investments will result in more than 400 beds and shelter units throughout the Inland Empire.
“With the housing crisis threatening to push the American Dream out of reach, I’m committed to finding solutions to lower housing costs and ensuring that vulnerable communities have the resources they need to get back on their feet,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “Having access to vital services, such as counseling, job training, health services and child care can make a substantial difference in helping someone secure housing, and I will continue working to make sure that is accessible to everyone in our region.”
“We are deeply grateful for Representative Aguilar’s continued support,” said Maria Razo, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Country of San Bernardino. “The Community Project Funding secured by the Congressman in support of the Community Resource Center shows his commitment to the community, and will help us to bring additional resources to serve Arrowhead Grove and the surrounding neighborhoods.”
“Congressman Aguilar’s round table shines a much-needed light on the significant challenges and opportunities involved in addressing our housing shortage,” National CORE President Michael Ruane said. “We need to take a collective approach to this issue, and no one has been a stronger champion of this than the Congressman.”
Last year, Rep. Aguilar secured $3,000,000 to support the Arrowhead Grove housing community in providing sustainable affordable housing and supportive services in San Bernardino.
In 2022, Rep. Aguilar introduced the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act. The bill would create a five-year grant program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide yearly funding to affordable housing property owners for resident supportive services. These services include after-school programs, education opportunities for youth and adult residents, mental health and substance abuse treatment, elderly care, financial literacy training and more.
Photos and video from the press conference and roundtable are available here and here.
From Opportunity Home San Antonio's website:
Opportunity Home San Antonio is announcing a new Emergency Rental Assistance Fund, an eviction diversion initiative designed to provide emergency rental assistance to households experiencing an extreme financial hardship, such as the death of a household member, a medical emergency or severe illness, which would prevent rental payments from being made.
Under the Fund, Opportunity Home-owned and operated public housing households earning under 30% of the area median income will qualify for assistance. Eligible households would be eligible for up to three months of rental assistance, including any fees as part of their outstanding balance. Documentation proving the extreme financial hardship would be required. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited funding availability.
The Fund will go into effect on August 1.
“This program underscores our commitment to ensuring housing stability and security for our residents facing dire circumstances,” said Michael Reyes, acting president and CEO of Opportunity Home. “By providing timely emergency rental assistance, we aim to prevent homelessness and support vulnerable households during their greatest time of need.”
The program will be sustained by non-federal funds, including philanthropic contributions and funds generated through new affordable housing fees.
From Lucas Metropolitan Housing's press release:
The Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) Board of Commissioners announced today the selection of Senghor Manns as LMH’s new president & CEO, effective Aug. 12.
Manns, 55, previously served as the CEO of the Harrisburg Housing Authority (HHA) in Pennsylvania and has successfully worked as an executive-level staffer for a combined total of 18 years with HHA and the Indianapolis Housing Agency.
“Senghor is uniquely qualified to lead LMH to accomplish its goals and objectives based on his impeccable qualifications, experience and background,” said LMH Board Chair Alisha Gant. “We are confident he will provide our Lucas County communities with the highest level of service and guidance."
As the new CEO, Manns will oversee LMH’s current housing portfolio, which consists of 2,633 Public Housing units, 4,657 Housing Choice Vouchers, 322 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units, 198 Market Rate units and 107 Homeownership Properties. Approximately 17,500 people reside in LMH properties. LMH also provides myriad programs and opportunities designed to improve the total quality of life for its residents, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency.
While at the helm of HHA, Manns accomplished several impressive initiatives that helped inform the LMH Board’s decision, Gant said.
His HHA achievements range from the complete rehabilitation of a 159-unit senior citizen-only building built in 1963, to the renovation of family communities built in the 1940s (including renovating 120 units that had been boarded up at a 200-unit property), to gaining a prestigious federal recognition for HHA as a high-performing Housing Choice Voucher program.
In addition, Manns helped HHA earn a coveted Move-to-Work designation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, one of only 29 such distinctions awarded nationally in 2022. Equally noteworthy, HHA was awarded a highly competitive HUD Choice Neighborhoods planning grant, which was one of only nine awarded in the U.S. in 2022.
The Choice Neighborhoods program helps communities transform neighborhoods by revitalizing severely distressed public and/or assisted housing and catalyzing critical improvements in neighborhoods, including vacant property, housing, businesses, services and schools.
During Manns’ tenure, HHA also received Emergency Security and Safety federal grant awards and formed a nonprofit that has built 50 affordable housing units as part of a tax credit project with the aim of developing, acquiring and managing non-public housing properties.
“I truly believe that LMH’s strong reputation and compelling programming, combined with my experience and positive reputation within the affordable housing industry, will catalyze and usher in a new era of programming and progress for LMH,” Manns said.
“I am excited and look forward to enhancing the quality of life for Lucas County families and the individuals that LMH serves,” Manns said. “To be successful, I wholeheartedly believe that our efforts and must go beyond constructing and rebuilding the ‘bricks and mortar’ — we must pursue ways to create opportunities for families to thrive and improve."
Manns received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1995 and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1992. He also earned an Executive Director Education Program Certification from Rutgers University in 2010.
His appointment as LMH CEO comes as LMH leaders have unveiled an ambitious slate of construction projects — totaling more than $92 million over the next two years — in an effort to offer more affordable housing options to Lucas County families, low- and middle-wage-earning workers, people with disabilities, veterans and the elderly who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising rental home prices.
The development pipeline is highlighted in LMH’s “Strategic Action Blueprint: Building for the Future 2024-2028” that was introduced earlier this year. The LMH five-year plan is designed to help address Toledo’s urgent and growing need to create more affordable housing opportunities.
The city-commissioned 10-year housing plan report from 2022 found there is a shortage of 12,705 units for people with extremely low incomes. Data from the city’s report shows the average Toledo household earns just $39,000 — about 30% less than the state average and about 40% less than the national average. An estimated 25% of Toledoans live in poverty, roughly twice as high as both the state and national averages.
The problem is most severe for Toledoans earning the least. Approximately one-third of households (38,575) in Toledo are cost-burdened, spending at least 30% of their income on housing. Of those households, half of them (19,350) are considered “severely cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 50% of their income on housing.
Combined with nearly 25% of the population living in poverty, the demand for affordable housing in Toledo and Lucas County consistently outpaces the available supply. The result is lengthy LMH waiting lists and a significant percentage of households allocating an unreasonably high proportion of their income to meet rising housing costs.
To improve and grow its portfolio, LMH’s five-year plan identifies a robust series of development initiatives with a strong focus on revitalizing economically distressed communities and bringing more affordable housing options to the marketplace.
Manns replaces former LMH President & CEO Joaquin Cintron Vega, who announced in February that he had accepted an offer to become the new CEO of the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver.