CLPHA Press Room

From KSL.com:

A fast-growing section of Salt Lake City is getting another development, this time focusing on affordable housing for seniors.

The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City announced Wednesday it is moving forward with a plan to develop a new senior housing community just east of Fairmont Park. It comes after the Utah Housing Corporation agreed to set aside $20 million in federal low-income housing tax credits to support the construction of the Fairmont Heights Senior Community.

Construction isn't expected to begin until early 2026 after it goes through the final planning and city approval stages but the current plan is to build 110 new units designated for affordable housing for residents who are 62 and over.

The forthcoming Fairmont Heights Senior Community will replace a two-story business office building at 2257 S. 1100 East, directly east of Fairmont Park.

Half of the units will be built in an initial phase and will feature 40 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom layouts, available for seniors making 80% or below the area's median income. Most of these units will be set aside for seniors with 50% or below the area median income, which would cap rent somewhere between $600 and $1,150 per month, according to the Housing Authority.

A second phase will complete the remaining 55 units.

"The goal is to keep seniors in the neighborhoods they raised their families and where their families are now," said Britnee Dabb, deputy director of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City.

Read KSL.com's article "Salt Lake City funds new, affordable senior housing community in Sugar House."

From the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's (AFHC) website:

Joyful giggles and the carefree sounds of children at play float on the wind at the new Pacific Terrace playground. Completed in summer 2023 as part of several ongoing upgrades at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s 40 unit affordable housing facility, the new play area is something the entire community now enjoys.

Thoughtfully designed to address the play needs of different age groups, there are actually two separate playgrounds connected by a walking path: a large, 2,400 square-foot area for children ages 5 to 12, and a smaller, 900 square-foot separate area set under the trees for children ages 2 to 5. 

Creating two play spaces provided the opportunity to install equipment best suited for both older and younger children. Having the ability to separate the two areas also offered a quieter spot for younger children to play without the distractions of the more rambunctious older set.

“While the playground was built for Pacific Terrace residents, everyone in the community is welcome and it is wonderful to see so many families bringing their kids here to play, especially on sunny days,” says Maren Miller, AHFC’s property and program manager.

Read AFHC's website article. 

From the Los Angeles Rams' press release:

Leading up to the Los Angeles Rams 2024 home opener against the San Fransisco 49ers, the team partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to install a 60-yard turf football field at Nickerson Gardens, the largest housing development west of the Mississippi. The installation will bring enriching programming to underserved youth and create a lasting impact on the young people of the Watts public housing development and community at large. The very same field was brought to Hermosa Beach during the 2024 NFL Draft by the team and SoFi.

Rams safety and team captain Quentin Lake and running back Kyren Williams joined the event to unveil the field and lead youth in a flag football clinic.

"In a community like Watts, where green spaces are limited, this field is more than just a place to play - it is an investment in our youth, our community, and their future. It provides our youth a safe space to grow, learn teamwork, and develop critical leadership skills," said Marisela Ocampo, HACLA's Director of Housing Services. "These types of investments are deeply needed in the Watts community. HACLA would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Los Angeles Rams for investing in Nickerson Gardens and the residents we serve."

As part of the unveiling, the Rams worked with HACLA, Project Blue, ThinkWatts Foundation and Watts Gang Taskforce, to invite over 100 youth from various housing developments in Watts to come together for a moment of unity on the field. After the ribbon cutting, the team hosted a football clinic and flag football game for the united community of Watts. Development of the field was also supported through the NFL Foundation's Club Matching Field Grant program.

"For me to be here and really enjoy being with these kids and experience this together with them, is nothing but a blessing," said Lake. "The game of football is bigger than the players and the team. It's not just the Rams, it's the Rams House, it's everybody here. I'm so happy to show these kids that with hard work and effort they could be in the same position as me."

"The NFL Foundation is proud to partner with the Los Angeles Rams and HACLA to develop a youth football field in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Development," said NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation Alexia Gallagher. "Through the NFL Foundation's Club Matching Field Grant program, we strive to create access to opportunities for youth across the country to stay active and healthy through the game of football. We are excited to provide youth in the Watts community with a safe space to play for years to come."

The field will provide community members with a lasting space to learn, play and connect with one another. The Rams believe football is a game that develops transferrable life skills and strong character, promotes health and wellness, enhances opportunities to further education, and broadens perspectives while building a sense of community and creating more pathways for young men and women in sports.

"When we made a splash by bringing a turf football field to the beach in Hermosa Beach and providing lasting memories for thousands of local children, our longer impact play was always to find a permanent home for the field in an under-resourced community," said Molly Higgins, Los Angeles Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement. "We couldn't be more excited to bring this field – and all of the opportunities that come with the field - to the youth of Nickerson Gardens."

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.