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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
January 15, 2021 |
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(Washington, D.C.) January 15, 2021 – Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement on President-elect Biden’s American Rescue Plan:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds President-elect Biden’s American Rescue Plan for including $35 billion in emergency rental and utility assistance and a significant extension of the eviction moratorium.
“The Biden-Harris proposal underscores the magnitude of the rental crisis facing the nation, and, when combined with the $25 billion in rental assistance from the December stimulus, finally begins to address the threat of housing instability that millions of low-income Americans are facing. To date, 11.4 million renters have accrued an average of $6,000 in back rent, totaling $70 billion in unpaid rent. President-elect Biden said last night that every day matters when keeping a roof over one’s head. The most effective model to deliver rental assistance immediately is the Housing Choice Voucher program. Its efficiency is proven, the infrastructure is in place, and it can rapidly expand to deliver the significant amount of relief proposed in the American Rescue Plan.
“CLPHA is committed to working with Congress and the Biden-Harris administration to ensure its swift passage so that Americans facing the threat of eviction don’t have to wait another day longer.”
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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January 6, 2021
(Washington, D.C.) January 6, 2021 – Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement on the results of yesterday’s special election in Georgia:
“CLPHA congratulates Raphael Warnock on his historic victory and Jon Ossoff’s election to the United States Senate, thus securing a Democratic Senate majority. The incoming Biden-Harris administration and HUD Secretary-designate Marcia Fudge now have expanded, once-in-a-generation opportunities to improve the lives of low-income Americans who have been especially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first course of action is for Congress to pass a new stimulus relief bill with $50 billion in emergency rental assistance that addresses housing insecurity and homelessness. These historic wins also provide momentum to permanently expand the Housing Choice Voucher program and recapitalize the public housing portfolio, both of which are concrete steps to eradicating poverty and dismantling systemic racism. CLPHA looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration and the 117th Congress to make these legislative goals happen.”
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.
December 22, 2020
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.
Hunt Capital Partners has provided $4.2 million in capital federal LIHTC equity financing for Rhododendron Place, a future 30-unit Vancouver, WA housing community funded in part by the Vancouver Housing Authority. Rhododendron Place will house individuals experiencing homelessness with behavioral health disorders or mental disabilities and offer related supportive services.
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and partners held a groundbreaking ceremony for Pacifica at Playa Del Sol, a future community of 42 affordable rental apartments, 12 of which will be set aside for individuals and families with developmental disabilities. SDHC contributed $10.8 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds towards the project, which is expected to cost $17.3 million.
The Paterson Housing Authority received a $24,570 HUD Housing Counseling Program Grant. The grant will help the housing authority improve access to affordable housing and counsel residents on increasing their financial literacy, expanding homeownership opportunities, and maintaining homeownership.
Residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee’s Westlawn Gardens neighborhood completed the first urban pilot of the National Council on Aging’s Aging Mastery Program®. The five-week program offers comprehensive health and wellness education for individuals 55 or older to empower them to make small, yet impactful changes to their physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and other aspects of their lives.
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority has joined with health consulting and programming group Evi-Base to bring diabetes education programs to its residents.
From the Global Business Coalition for Education's press release:
The Global Business Coalition for Education announced the Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN) has been awarded $100,000 in the Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge, a nationwide competition to help boost youth skills across the U.S.
SoCal CAN is a nonprofit that works in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to provide comprehensive college and career advice to public housing residents, focused on breaking the cycle of poverty. SoCal CAN was selected from hundreds of applicants across the country.
The Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge honors teams of nonprofits, education organizations, and cities working with the business community to create innovative programs that help prepare young people for meaningful careers. The group also awarded grants to 14 finalists. For the next year, all 15 organizations will be part of an incubator program to share leading practices and connect with business and city leaders invested in youth skills development. The Skills Friendly Cites Network will help their ideas to grow and inspire others.
This is the second cohort of winners in the Challenge, run by the Global Business Coalition for Education, a movement of businesses committed to ending the global education crisis. The initiative is made possible by support from Dell Technologies and Deloitte.
“We’re thrilled to receive this extraordinary recognition. Our cities thrive when our young people thrive,” said Alison De Luca, executive director of Southern California College Attainment Network. “Project SOAR is nurturing the skills and talents of youth in public housing. One-on-one support ensures that their college and career dreams become a reality and breaks the poverty cycle for themselves and their families. Partnerships with colleges, businesses, and social service providers ensure no one falls through the cracks. We’re excited to continue expanding this work since nearly 2.2 million Americans live in public housing.:
“With this Challenge, we’re spotlighting groundbreaking work across the country to nurture skills in young people and help set them up for success,” said Justin van Fleet, executive director of the Global Business Coalition for Education. “This is our way of encouraging youth-serving nonprofits, companies and cities to work together, building skills for the next generation."
The Big Ideas Bright Cities Challenge provides local nonprofit leaders the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading companies and organizations, including businesses focused on digital transformation. This year, the challenge drew hundreds of applicants from 24 states. They had to show collaboration among nonprofits, city leaders, young people, and businesses. Winners were selected based on 10 Standards for Creating Skills-Friendly Cities.
“A ‘skills-friendly’ city does more than just train its workforce,” said Maia Wagner, director of US giving and impact at Dell Technologies. “It cultivates an ecosystem of technology, education, and community support that sets its people up for future success. We are proud to support this holistic initiative that drives innovation at the community level."
“As the workforce evolves, so should the way we think about supporting youth and providing access to resources and education that can match the skillset required for them to fulfill their career aspirations,” said Kwasi Mitchell, chief purpose & DEI officer at Deloitte. “We’re proud to support the Global Business Coalition for Education in its commitment to helping address the systemic barriers that can stand in the way for today’s youth and providing resources that can help create a better, more equitable future for all."
The previous winner, Action Greensboro, in North Carolina, helps find paid internships for young people, including low-income and first-generation college students, and provides stipends for youth to work with minority- and women-owned businesses.
From the Houston Housing Authority's press release:
The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) and Cardiac Solutions have partnered to achieve a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first housing agency in North America to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) with LUCAS compression devices and AED Sentinel camera remote monitoring for all AEDs in all of its public housing complexes. This strategic initiative aims to enhance emergency response capabilities, specifically targeting Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) incidents, the leading cause of death in the United States.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the chances of survival significantly increase when bystanders perform CPR and defibrillation before first responders arrive on the scene. SCA occurs approximately once every 34 seconds in the United States, making it imperative to have life-saving equipment readily available in public spaces.
"Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a silent and swift killer, and our commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents led us to take this proactive step," said David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of the Houston Housing Authority. "By installing AEDs in all our public housing complexes, we are empowering our communities and enhancing our emergency response capabilities to save lives."
LaRence Snowden, HHA Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, adds, "This groundbreaking initiative aligns with our commitment to providing a secure living environment. This positions HHA as a leader in proactive community welfare initiatives, setting a precedent for housing agencies across North America."
Jon Seale, CEO of Cardiac Solutions, expressed his support for the HHA's initiative: "The Houston Housing Authority's commitment to safety and readiness is commendable. Equipping public spaces with AEDs, LUCAS devices, and AED Sentinel remote monitoring is a crucial step in improving survival rates during cardiac emergencies. We are proud to collaborate with HHA on this life-saving endeavor."
The partnership also addresses the HHA's experience with two significant incidents since March 2023, where the lack of immediate medical assistance devices and training hindered the response to medical emergencies. The HHA recognizes the critical importance of swift and effective intervention in such situations, and this initiative is a direct response to bridge this gap.
In addition to installing AEDs, the HHA emphasizes the importance of ongoing training for staff and residents. This training ensures that individuals are well-equipped to provide immediate assistance during a cardiac emergency, aligning with industry standards and recommendations.
From the New York City Housing Authority's press release:
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt today announced that Bronx River Addition will become the second development to hold an official vote to give residents a say in the future of their homes. The voting process — first launched at Nostrand Houses in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn — will provide residents with an opportunity to decide on whether the development should enter the Public Housing Preservation Trust or join the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, both of which leverage alternative funding streams available through the federal government. Residents can also choose for their development to maintain the traditional public housing financing model and remain Section 9 housing.
Following 100 days of public engagement, a 30-day voting period is expected to run from March 13 to April 11, 2024 — during which time residents may vote online or by mail, or in person during the last 10 days of the voting period. A qualified, independent, third-party administrator will conduct and oversee the election.
“As someone who grew up on the edge of homelessness, I know how important it is to have access to affordable and reliable housing,” said Mayor Adams. “From the start of this administration, we have worked to help NYCHA residents have a seat at the table and a say in the future of their homes. We are thrilled that Bronx River Addition will follow in Nostrand Houses’ footsteps to cast ballots in this historic voting process, and I urge all residents to make their voices heard.”
“Our administration is thrilled to offer Bronx River Addition residents the opportunity to vote on a comprehensive plan to renovate and modernize their homes,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “This is an important decision that will impact families living in NYCHA for generations, and their voices must always be heard. Over the next 100 days, we look forward to hearing directly from residents about which path is right for them.”
“Following the vote at Nostrand, residents of Bronx River Addition will now have their own opportunity to weigh in on the future of their campus through this important and groundbreaking process,” said NYCHA CEO Bova-Hiatt. “Every day, we see the impacts that decades of federal disinvestment have had on public housing developments across the portfolio. We are pleased that, through this voting process, residents will be able to decide how to address the vast and growing needs of their buildings.”
Home to 146 residents from 133 households, Bronx River Addition has an estimated 20-year capital need of $66 million and has dealt with several severe infrastructure issues in recent years that have caused tenants to be relocated in one of its two buildings. NYCHA estimates needing nearly $80 billion for repairs across its portfolio.
The New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust is a public entity established by Mayor Adams and NYCHA in May 2023 and authorized by a law signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul last year following extensive advocacy from the Adams administration and NYCHA. A fully public entity, the Trust is expected to unlock billions of dollars in federal funding for comprehensive renovations at NYCHA developments to improve living conditions for residents. Under the Trust, a development is kept 100 percent public and converted to the more stable, federally funded Project-Based Section 8 program, while ensuring residents always maintain their rights, including permanently affordable rent.
The PACT program similarly transitions developments from traditional Section 9 assistance to Project-Based Section 8 and unlocks funding for designated third-party PACT partners to complete comprehensive repairs.
From the Urban Land Institute:
The Jordan Downs affordable housing project is the centerpiece of several community-serving revitalization projects emerging in Watts.
Community revitalization is an undeniably long and complex process. With so many challenges, redevelopment projects in underinvested communities often fail to gain momentum—but the Jordan Downs Redevelopment plan in Watts, an enclave of Los Angeles, California, is a model for how to get it right. The decades-long project is starting to take shape, and it could serve as a model for how other cities could pursue large-scale redevelopments.
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) led the initiative to redevelop Jordan Downs, a 21-acre (8.5 ha) site, into more than 1,700 units of affordable housing, 115,000 square feet (10,683.9 sq m) of retail and 45,000 square feet (4,180 sq m) of ground-floor commercial space. At the Urban Land Institute’s Building Healthy Places Forum during the Fall 2023 Meeting, community leaders and project stakeholders discussed the success at Jordan Downs and other projects transforming the community.
Read ULI's article "Inside the Redevelopment Transforming Watts in Los Angeles," featuring the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.
From Urbanize:
Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced more than $154 million in funding for new interim and supportive housing across the state through the third round of Project Homekey. Of that total, Los Angeles County is poised to see roughly $37.2 million, going toward the a trio of projects in Exposition Park, Hollywood, and Lancaster.
“Homekey has been critical to creating much-needed housing for people experiencing homelessness and these latest grants will benefit those who are particularly vulnerable,” Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative executive drector Cheri Todoroff in a news release. “By combining Homekey with other state and local funding sources, we’ll be able to provide our young, older, and medically fragile residents a safe place to stay as well as supportive services.”
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Likewise, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and Topanga Canyon Housing Partners, LP will receive just over $5.4 million for the construction of a new modular apartment building with 24 units of supportive housing at 7631 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park. That project follows the conversion of an adjoining motel into 52 units of interim housing through an earlier round of Project Homekey.
“We know that in order to solve the homelessness and housing crisis in Los Angeles, we must have more housing, both interim and permanent, in every neighborhood, said L.A. Mayor Karen Bass in a news release. “We have been working closely with the Los Angeles Housing Department and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles in order to bring these projects online and secure this critical funding. Thank you to Governor Newsom and the State Legislature for recognizing these critical projects. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we urgently confront the homelessness crisis as well as a new partnership with Urban Awnings and the Carpenters Union as we showcase new modular innovation and construction.”
Read Urbanize's article "$75M awarded for Los Angeles-area Project Homekey developments."