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!
Announcing the New CLPHA.org
(WASHINGTON) January 7, 2019 - The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce the launch of our newly-redesigned website.
The new CLPHA.org showcases our member PHAs and offers industry news and updates with a bright, modern look and dynamic, user-friendly content that is easy to navigate on a desktop computer or a mobile device.
DYNAMIC: A carousel of stories and the latest news on the front page keeps the content fresh. CLPHA.org is a website to bookmark and visit regularly.
INFORMATIONAL: At the new CLPHA.org, you will find articles and information about the latest developments on Capitol Hill and from HUD, facts and updates about programs important to public and affordable housing, and news from CLPHA about our work on behalf of our members.
USER-FRIENDLY: The new CLPHA.org features sections on each of CLPHA's priorities: Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, Moving to Work, RAD, and our cross-sector initiative Housing Is. Plus, dedicated sections for Legislation & Policy, Press, News & Events, and Membership.
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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.
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.
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(Washington, D.C.) June 17, 2021 – The nation's leading advocacy organizations representing public housing authorities have come together to support universal housing vouchers. The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, the Moving to Work Collaborative, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association have released the joint letter below:
"Safe, secure, and stable housing is as essential to America’s social safety net as are Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare. Housing stability is central to improving life outcomes and economic mobility for low-income Americans. However, only one in five low-income households that are eligible to receive housing assistance can be served by existing programs due to limited funding. The pandemic has reinforced that rental assistance, such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, is critical to ensuring housing stability and managing sudden losses in income. Just as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are structured to be available to all who are eligible, rental assistance must be too. Expansion of the voucher program offers a proven and effective approach to scale universal housing assistance to address housing instability and prevent homelessness in America.
Housing Choice Vouchers are a proven source of permanent housing stability. They are highly effective at providing long-term financial stability to formerly homeless populations and others experiencing housing instability. A recent HUD study found that offering families a permanent housing voucher resulted in greater housing and family stability compared to short-term interventions. Furthermore, a recent study from Columbia University found that expanding housing vouchers to all eligible households could help reduce poverty by 9.3 million people as well as reduce racial disparities in poverty. Vouchers are also frequently paired with supportive services to offer comprehensive assistance to individuals with complex mental and physical health conditions. Public housing authorities are uniquely positioned to aid low-income families in their challenges to regain employment and support children’s virtual learning because of their partnerships with nonprofit and government service providers that focus on education, health, and employment. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies recently reported on the critical role that service coordinators in publicly funded housing have played in providing food and supplies, assisting with technology, and combatting resident anxiety and loneliness. Housing Choice Vouchers are a proven and effective rental assistance delivery system to scale universal housing assistance because they can be quickly distributed through the existing network of 2,200 state and local housing agencies that administer vouchers in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Housing authorities are trusted experts and partners in their local rental markets, have been administering the voucher program for nearly 50 years and are accountable to local and federal oversight and operate with significant public input. With the proper funding, housing authorities have the capacity for a rapid expansion. Housing vouchers power local communities. Landlords, many of whom operate as a small business, understand that the voucher program is a guaranteed, reliable income source and provides the benefit of long-term stability. PHAs have been using the additional funding and regulatory relief provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to expedite administrative processes most often cited by landlords as reasons for preferring unassisted tenants. With this funding, PHAs have also been able to offer incentives and support to increase landlord participation in the HCV program. We must strive to be a nation that believes that all people deserve the security that comes from having a home. Housing Choice Vouchers are the path to achieving this vision." |
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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
May 11, 2021 |
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(Washington, D.C.) May 11, 2021 – CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement supporting the New York City Housing Authority’s call to double the public housing infrastructure investment proposed in the American Jobs Plan to $80 billion:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities urges the Senate Majority Leader to stand firm on his call to double the public housing infrastructure investment in the American Jobs Plan to $80 billion in his meeting today with President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and GOP leadership.
“The New York City Housing Authority deserves its fair share of Senator Schumer’s request since it serves nearly double the amount of residents than any other housing authority, and its housing portfolio is among the oldest in the nation. Decades of chronic disinvestment has driven its unmet capital repairs alone to $40 billion. The $80 billion request enjoys critical support from Congresswoman Nydia Valezquez (D-NY) and the NYC-area Congressional delegation. This investment would also be a significant step to addressing racial inequity, a key priority of the Biden administration.
“As the American Jobs Plan moves through the legislative process, political leaders must guarantee that housing will remain in the infrastructure bill and that the commitment to recapitalize public housing infrastructure be doubled to $80 billion so that the needs of NYCHA and public housing portfolios across the nation are adequately met.”
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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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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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.
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and partners cut the ribbon on the Residences at Hayes Street, a 150-unit affordable housing community constructed with help from a $2 million DCHA loan. DCHA will also provide nearly $241,000 annually in rent subsidies to residents.
The Charlotte Housing Authority has opened The Oaks at Cherry, an 81-unit affordable housing community with resident amenities such a playground, cyber café, and fitness center in Charlotte’s historic Cherry neighborhood. You can watch a video about The Oaks at Cherry community here.
From the DC Housing Authority's press release:
Today, the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), nonprofit developer Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Barry Farm community members celebrated the groundbreaking of the 90-unit, fully affordable Hillsdale Flats Phase I, the third new construction property in the multi-phase redevelopment of the Barry Farm-Hillsdale community in DC’s historic Anacostia neighborhood.
“This first phase of Hillsdale Flats marks a powerful step forward in one of the District’s most transformative redevelopment efforts,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert. “These 90 affordable homes build on more than $1 billion invested in Ward 8 under the Bowser Administration and reflect our commitment to creating opportunity, strengthening neighborhoods, and honoring this community’s legacy.”
Part of the New Communities Initiative (NCI) at Barry Farm, Hillsdale Flats Phase I will consist of 9 three-story, stacked-flat buildings constructed in a nearly 1.35 acre parcel between Sumner Road SE, Wade Road SE, Eaton Road SE and Firth Sterling Ave SE. It will offer 7 one-bedroom, 31 two-bedroom, 33 three-bedroom, 15 four-bedroom and 4 five-bedroom units.
Five of the 90 units are accessible for families with mobility impairments while two others are accessible for families with sensory impairments. Of the 31 two-bedroom apartments, nine will be live-work units where artists and entrepreneurs can take advantage of a hybrid studio space within the home. The apartment community’s 90 units are dedicated to residents earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 42 designated for former Barry Farm Dwellings residents.
“With this groundbreaking, we are fulfilling our promise to deliver safe and quality affordable housing that our Barry Farm families asked for and deserve,” said DCHA Interim Executive Director Nicole Wickliffe. “Hillsdale Flats Phase I was designed with the intention of supporting parents and children as they grow and thrive. These family-sized units will turn this idea into reality. Thank you to Mayor Bowser, DMPED, the DC Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and POAH for your dedication to our shared vision of community-centered neighborhoods with high-quality, affordable housing for all residents. Most importantly, thank you to our DCHA families for your partnership as we create quality affordable housing while honoring Barry Farm’s rich history.”
“POAH is excited to collaborate with so many committed partners to construct the third new property and continue our work to create a vibrant, mixed-income community at Barry Farm, as well as provide greater economic opportunities for neighborhood residents,” said Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO of POAH. “We are grateful to the former Barry Farm residents, Mayor Bowser, the District of Columbia Housing Authority, DMPED, DC Housing Finance Agency, and all our financial partners for their unwavering support and patience.”
The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) underwrote short and long-term tax-exempt bonds and federal and DC Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity to fund construction of Hillsdale Flats Phase I. The project is also supported by DMPED, which provided NCI loans for predevelopment, infrastructure loans and construction gap financing. Other construction financing partners include JPMorgan Chase and Fannie Mae, National Equity Fund Inc. as the equity investor, and the District’s Department of Housing and Community Development.
“DCHFA is proud to support the continued transformation of Barry Farm through developments like Hillsdale Flats Phase I, which expand access to beautiful, healthy and high-quality affordable housing for District residents. This project reflects our commitment to preserving affordability while creating opportunities for families to thrive in vibrant, well-resourced communities. We are especially encouraged by the focus on inclusive design, multigenerational living, and pathways for returning residents, all of which honor the history of Barry Farm while preparing it for a strong and sustainable future,” said Christopher E. Donald, Executive Director/CEO, DCHFA.
DCHA and POAH serve as co-developers for the Barry Farm site, where the multi-phase redevelopment has already delivered The Asberry, a 108-unit, fully affordable, mixed-use property with a preference for elderly families. The first new construction project on the site, The Asberry opened in November 2024 and is fully leased. Construction began in 2024 on the 139-unit, fully affordable Edmonson, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Since commencing the Barry Farm redevelopment project, a total of 2,068 construction jobs were created and more than five dozen certified business enterprises (CBEs) delivered design, construction and other services.
Once complete, the project will create a vibrant, mixed-income community of at least 900 residential units, including at least 380 on-site replacement units for former Barry Farm residents; community-serving retail spaces; and central greenspace with community facilities for on-site services and programs. It will also feature five residential buildings designated as a historic landmark in honor of the community’s rich heritage.
Barry Farm-Hillsdale was established in 1867 as the first homeownership community in Washington, D.C. with land designated for newly freed enslaved African Americans. The community thrived and established a firm foundation of community organizations and leaders. This legacy continued through the Barry Farm Dwellings, a public housing community constructed in the 1940s whose residents continued to be trailblazers and advocates for racial and economic justice nationally, in D.C. and in their own community.
The multi-phase redevelopment of Barry Farm is one of four former public housing communities being revitalized through the New Communities Initiative (NCI), a District government program that creates vibrant mixed-income neighborhoods through a partnership between DMPED and DCHA.
Other NCI projects include the Rise at Temple Courts at Northwest One, which officially opened in Ward 6 in late 2022; Lincoln Heights – Richardson Dwellings in Ward 7, where hundreds of replacement units have been delivered; and Park Morton, where the first phase, the 142-unit Park Morton Apartments, opened in 2025.
From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:
From the Housing Authority of Snohomish County's press release:
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO) held a groundbreaking ceremony for Leonard Crossing Apartments, a new 124-unit development in Marysville. The project aims to address the growing demand for affordable housing and will feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units designed to accommodate a variety of household sizes and needs.
The development will sit on a 4-acre parcel of land close to downtown, grocery stores, and medical services located across the street from Marysville Cedar and Grove Park & Ride. In addition to its convenient location and quick access to I-5, the property will have onsite management, a clubhouse with lounge space and kitchen, an exercise room, game room, & bike storage.
HASCO’s CEO, Laurie Olson, extends her gratitude to the City of Marysville, Snohomish County Treasurer, the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Washington State Department of Commerce, “We are thrilled to celebrate our 55th anniversary by adding new homes to the Marysville community and are thankful to each of our partners that helped make this happen.”
Initially established in 1971 to address the housing needs of senior citizens, HASCO celebrates 55 years of business this year with a portfolio of over 2,600 units of housing and 4,300 housing choice vouchers.
Snohomish County Treasurer, Brian Sullivan, is excited to achieve a first-of-its-kind accomplishment for Snohomish County, “It has always been my goal to create affordable housing programs. The Snohomish County Treasury is the first in the State of Washington to bring taxpayer dollars for affordable housing supporting Leonard Crossing. I look forward to future projects using the Treasurer's Community Investment Program.”
The City of Marysville is anticipated to outpace Snohomish County in growth. Over the next two decades, the population of Marysville is projected to rise by approximately 27,500 residents, bringing the total to nearly 100,000—a growth rate of 41%.
“We’re excited to continue the partnership with HASCO to bring much-needed affordable housing to Marysville in the most efficient and timely manner possible.” says Keith James, a representative from the Inland Group.
The Inland Group is set to begin construction on the property this year, with leases starting by 2028.
From the Brookline Housing Authority's press release:
On Monday, June 8, Brookline Housing Authority held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its newly constructed 32 Marion Street building. The event included a speaking program, official ribbon cutting, and tours of the building. 32 Marion Street is an affordable rental building with 115 units designated for seniors and people with disabilities. It replaces the Colonel Floyd Apartments; an inaccessible and obsolete 60-unit federal public housing development originally built in 1959.
Construction began in late 2023 and BHA welcomed the first residents in May 2026. About 40 households occupy 32 Marion Street thus far, with new residents moving in every day. The project would not be possible without the support of partners and funders, many of whom will speak as part of the ribbon cutting event. Funders and partners include:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
- Town of Brookline
- National Equity Fund (NEF)
- MassDevelopment
- Rockland Trust
- Massachusetts Housing Partnership
- Eastern Bank
- CEDAC
- MassHousing
- Dorfman Capital
- BlueHub Capital
The building was designed by Davis Square Architects and constructed by general contractor Delphi Construction. WaypointKLA served as Owner’s Project Manager. Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU) supported resident relocation.
Additional speakers scheduled for the event include MA Senator Cynthia Creem; MA Representative Tommy Vitolo; Chair of the Brookline Select Board, David Pearlman; Chair of BHA’s Board of Commissioner, Susan Cohen; HUD Regional Administrator Michael Banks, EOHLC Deputy Secretary Jennifer Maddox, and 32 Marion resident and former BHA Commissioner, Barbara Dugan.
32 Marion Street is built to passive house standards and in process for Phius certification. Continuous insulation, triple-pane windows, and heat-recovery ventilation work to reduce energy consumption and provide fresh air to units and common spaces. The building systems are all fossil-fuel free, with heat pump domestic hot water and all-electric heating and cooling systems. An approximately 85 KW solar array on the roof creates renewable energy used on site.
The state-of-the-art 32 Marion Street also features ample shared amenity spaces designed to foster community and enable healthy lifestyles. Common areas include a fitness room, communal food area, game room, media room, rooftop balcony, outdoor patio, indoor porch, and two multipurpose/flex spaces. Residents will benefit from programming in these spaces organized by BHA’s resident services partner, Hebrew SeniorLife.
BHA Executive Director, Ben Stone, served as the emcee for the ribbon cutting event. He remarks, “BHA is so excited to open 32 Marion, the first new housing BHA has built since 2015 and the largest affordable housing development in Brookline in almost 50 years. These projects really take a whole community, and we are grateful for all our partners – residents, neighbors, funders, contractors, and more – for making these homes for 115 households a reality.”
From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's website:
Last week, The Minneapolis Foundation announced a grant award of $400,000 to Stable Homes Stable Schools (SHSS) through the foundation’s OneMPLS Fund. The award is part of a larger $500,000 grant to Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), supporting housing stability programming designed to support educational outcomes and end cycles of generational poverty for students and their families over the next two years.
With SHSS experiencing a significant increase in referrals in recent months, the funding comes at a critical time. The $400,000 granted funds will support the expansion of program eligibility to families earning below 50 percent Area Median Income (AMI), up from less than 30 percent AMI, ensuring that more children at risk of housing related educational disruptions are able to fully engage in their lessons and classrooms.
Stable Homes Stable Schools is a pioneering partnership between MPHA, the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and MPS, along with the YMCA of the North as the service partner, working to reduce homelessness among families with elementary-aged kids in Minneapolis and improve immediate and long term educational outcomes for students impacted by housing instability. The program is a holistic approach to addressing homelessness through prevention (emergency short- and medium-term assistance) and intervention (multi-year rental assistance and support services). Since 2019, more than 7,500* kids and 2,700* families have benefited from the program.
More than 2,360* families, like the Alexander family, have received emergency short- or medium-term assistance through SHSS’ housing stabilization program. Housing stabilization helps families avoid homelessness with emergency assistance which could include back pay of rent, helping pay for fixing a car needed to get to work, or other forms of assistance to keep families in their current housing. This tool is key to preventing homelessness before it happens and has helped 6,500* children avoid homelessness since SHSS’ inception.
Another 340* families, like the Albert and Lige families, have received multi-year rental help through SHSS’ housing placement and support program. This multi-year rental assistance and wraparound services help families escape or avoid homelessness and aids them in securing stable, long-term affordable housing. This includes housing search and tenant education to secure affordable housing in the private rental market. Beyond financial support, SHSS provides one-on-one case management services addressing families’ financial empowerment, tenant readiness, and education and employment development. This combined approach helps families remove barriers to housing stability and prepare them for self-sufficiency.
This $400,000 award from the Minneapolis Foundation builds on numerous grants and funding awarded to SHSS in 2025. Recent awards include a $900,000 from Minnesota Housing, $350,000 from the Pohlad Family Foundation, and the City of Minneapolis providing both a one-time and annual increase of $1.4 million, replenishing the program’s reserves while also bringing the city’s annual funding contribution to $3.6 million.