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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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CLPHA, PBCHA, and Sponsors Support Continuation of 2025 Competition
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2025) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce that four graduate student teams have been selected as finalists of the 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition. The four finalists include two teams from the University of California, Berkeley and one team each from the University of Kansas and Yale University. The 2025 competition partnered with the Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA) in Palm Beach County, Florida. CLPHA was chosen to host the competition after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was unable to continue as host. “CLPHA is honored to serve as host for the Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition,” said Sunia Zaterman, CLPHA executive director. “CLPHA hopes this competition will inspire and support students in fields such as architecture, planning, policy, and finance in advancing affordable and sustainable housing for low- and moderate-income Americans. We also thank PBCHA and the numerous sponsors whose gracious contributions have enabled us to continue this competition.” Each year, the Innovation in Affordable Housing competition invites graduate students enrolled in accredited educational institutions in the United States to form multi-disciplinary teams to respond to an existing affordable housing design and planning issue. The competition requires teams composed of graduate students in architecture, planning and policy, finance, and other areas to address social, economic, environmental, design, financial, and construction issues in addition to an affordable housing design challenge. The theme for the 2025 competition is “designing for disasters.” The graduate student teams were challenged to address the lack of affordable housing in Palm Beach County due to a shortage of land for development, while also considering the property is subject to Florida weather related to heat, heavy rains resulting in flooding, hurricanes and high winds, as well as post-disaster safety concerns. The student teams were tasked with redeveloping an underutilized 13+ acre of land owned by PBCHA that currently has a 134-unit public housing development and a maximum density of 350 units. “PBCHA wishes to thank CLPHA for stepping in at a crucial juncture so that the Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition would continue this year,” said Carol Jones-Gilbert, PBCHA CEO. “We are proud to partner with CLPHA for the 2025 competition. The challenge to design affordable and sustainable housing in disaster prone areas couldn’t be timelier with natural disasters increasing in intensity and frequency.” On May 8, the finalist graduate student teams will present their final projects to a jury of practitioners. Jurors will determine the winning team later in May. That winning team will be awarded a cash prize and present their design at CLPHA’s Summer Meeting, hosted by Atlanta Housing, on June 13, 2025 in Atlanta, GA. The jurors include:
The design competition is supported by sponsors from across the architecture, real estate, and finance sectors, including Bank of America, CSG Advisors, Enterprise, Merritt Community Capital Corporation, The Pacific Companies, Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments, Redstone Equity Partners, Related California, and US Bankcorp Impact Finance. |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About the Palm Beach County Housing Authority Located at 3333 Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, PBCHA advocates for those who need housing and strives to provide Palm Beach County residents with affordable housing options, self-sufficiency programs, and leadership opportunities. The agency is committed to providing quality living environments through new and existing housing developments. To contact PBCHA, call 561-684-2160 or visit the website at pbchafl.org. |
Grant to Support Policy Agenda Addressing Homelessness for Infants, Toddlers, Expectant Parents, and Their Families
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(Washington, D.C.) February 3, 2025 – We are pleased to announce that the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) has awarded $150,000 to support the work of Housing Is to strengthen the intersection of housing and early childhood development. Housing Is received this grant from PCI to work with a coalition of organizations, including Prevent Child Abuse America, Zero to Three, and our long-time partner SchoolHouse Connection, to build a policy agenda addressing homelessness for infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families and promoting strong early childhood development and economic security among this population. Each year, more than 364,000 infants and toddlers experience homelessness in the U.S., and nearly 70,000 babies are born to parents who experienced homelessness during pregnancy. Homelessness during pregnancy or in the first three years of a child’s life has lifelong consequences on physical health and mental well-being. These years are foundational to development, and trauma—including homelessness—can disrupt this growth, leading to long-lasting effects. Homelessness is preventable, and stakeholders must take action to address it. Homelessness in early childhood—recognized as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)—can lead to developmental delays, physical and mental health issues, and lasting effects on well-being. If partners act early—before families reach a crisis point—they can prevent and solve homelessness and mitigate the resulting impact on the developing child. “Housing Is is proud to receive this grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative and to join this coalition focused on improving housing opportunities and life outcomes for some of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals: infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, president of the Housing Is board of directors and CEO of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. “The early childhood, housing, and homelessness sectors must work together to build a coordinated, holistic support system for these children and their families. Public housing authorities play a critical role in providing affordable housing to this population, and Housing Is will represent the voices of PHAs and other housing organizations in this coalition. PCI’s support will enable Housing Is and our coalition to build and disseminate a policy agenda and messaging campaign that will address homelessness for these infants and young children and their families.” “Housing Is extends our gratitude to the Pritzker Children’s Initiative for their recognition of our work to align sectors that serve low-income families,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), which manages Housing Is under an operating agreement. “As Housing Is has stressed throughout our ten-year history, systems that serve low-income individuals are stronger and more effective when they work together. With this grant, PCI is helping Housing Is to further our mission to improve life outcomes for low-income families through cross-sector collaboration.” |
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About Housing Is |
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(Washington, D.C.) November 25, 2024 – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement upon the nomination of Scott Turner to be Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), whose members serve over 2.2 million people, including over 480,000 children, across the country, congratulates Scott Turner on his nomination as Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our nation is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis, and PHAs offer critical affordable housing opportunities to the most vulnerable families in their communities. Safe, stable, and affordable housing is central to breaking the cycle of poverty and expanding economic, education, and health opportunities. We look forward to working with Mr. Turner on our shared goal of improving the lives of low-income Americans who, for a variety of reasons, have been left behind economically, and lifting up the communities where they live through safe and affordable housing.” |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
Media Contact: (202) 550-1381 |
Winning Team Awarded $15,000 and Will Present Their Design at CLPHA’s Summer Meeting, Hosted by Atlanta Housing
UC Berkeley Team Gold Earns Second Place; University of Kansas and Yale University Teams Named Runners-up
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2025) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to announce that the University of California, Berkeley’s Team Blue has been named the winner of the 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition. The first-place team, comprised of Omeed Ansari, Yameen Arshad, Balaji Balaganesan, Harrison Haigood, and Chelsea Hall, will be awarded $15,000 and present their winning design at CLPHA’s Summer Meeting, hosted by Atlanta Housing, on June 13 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 2025 competition partnered with the Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA) in Palm Beach County, Florida. CLPHA stepped in to host the competition after it was terminated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"CLPHA congratulates UC Berkeley Team Blue on winning the 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “Their ‘Mango Commons’ design incorporated innovative, climate-resilient design, thoughtful integration of resident services and programs, and comprehensive financing solutions that brought PBCHA’s community to life. This first-place team and all participating university teams represent the best and brightest in the future of affordable housing development, design, and planning, and CLPHA is honored to celebrate their ingenuity and hard work.”
Each year, the Innovation in Affordable Housing competition invites graduate students enrolled in accredited educational institutions in the United States to form multi-disciplinary teams to respond to an existing affordable housing design and planning issue. The competition requires teams composed of graduate students in architecture, planning and policy, finance, and other areas to address social, economic, environmental, design, financial, and construction issues in addition to an affordable housing design challenge.
The theme for the 2025 competition is “designing for disasters.” The graduate student teams were challenged to address the lack of affordable housing in Palm Beach County due to a shortage of land for development, while also considering the property is subject to Florida weather related to heat, heavy rains resulting in flooding, hurricanes and high winds, as well as post-disaster safety concerns. The student teams were tasked with redeveloping an underutilized 13+ acre parcel of land owned by PBCHA that currently has a 134-unit public housing development and a maximum density of 350 units.
UC Berkeley Team Blue’s winning design, named Mango Commons, is rooted in disaster resilience, long-term sustainability, and community cohesion. The 350-unit, three-phased redevelopment plan for PBCHA is innovative and resident-driven. Mango Commons makes use of built and natural systems for climate resilience, underpinned by the site’s self-sustaining circular economy. In its design, the project boasts large outdoor verandas to build social resilience and hearken to Southern “front porch” culture. Mango Commons also leverages community gardens, tech education, and culinary programming to promote food security, self-sufficiency, and intergenerational activities for the entire community. Lastly, for its financing, it incorporates a unique option-to-buy program and a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for ownership.
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“Competitions like this are so important for students to be able to address real-life situations and learn through doing,” said UC Berkeley Team Blue Faculty Advisor Lydia Tan. “UC Berkeley’s Team Blue this year was exemplary—the team dug deep into the local issues facing the Palm Beach County Housing Authority and the community, talking with a plethora of local stakeholders in an effort to truly understand the local ecosystem. The team’s ultimate proposal is realistically executable, would result in an amazing environment for current and future residents, and can act as a catalyst to bring the local community even closer together. Thanks to CLPHA and all of those who picked up the task of carrying out the competition so that all the students who competed could have their ideas shared with the public.” The University of California, Berkeley’s Team Gold earned second place in the competition and will be awarded $5,000. Runner-up teams from the University of Kansas and Yale University will be awarded $2,500 each. Eleven teams entered the competition from universities including Columbia University, University of Florida, University of Iowa, and University of Maryland College Park. On May 8, the finalist graduate student teams presented their final projects to a jury of practitioners. The jurors included:
The design competition is supported by sponsors from across the architecture, real estate, and finance sectors, including Bank of America, the Cooper Housing Institute, CSG Advisors, Enterprise, Merritt Community Capital Corporation, The Pacific Companies, Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments, Palm Beach County Housing Authority, Redstone Equity Partners, Related California, and US Bankcorp Impact Finance.
Media Contact: (916) 716-9088 |
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities About the Palm Beach County Housing Authority Located at 3333 Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida, PBCHA advocates for those who need housing and strives to provide Palm Beach County residents with affordable housing options, self-sufficiency programs, and leadership opportunities. The agency is committed to providing quality living environments through new and existing housing developments. To contact PBCHA, call 561-684-2160 or visit the website at pbchafl.org. |
CLPHA Begins Nationwide Search for Next Executive Director
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2025) -- The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) today announced that CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman plans to retire at the end of 2025. Zaterman has led CLPHA, a national non-profit membership organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis, and public education, for over thirty years. The CLPHA Board of Directors has engaged Sally M. Sterling Executive Search to lead its nationwide search for a new executive director.
“For over three decades Sunia has been one of the most influential leaders in the housing industry,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CLPHA Board President and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO. “CLPHA, under Sunia’s leadership, has helped shape the evolution, innovation, and development of public and affordable housing. Our housing industry will forever be grateful for her advocacy, dedication, and commitment, as well as the many significant contributions that Sunia has made which have been so beneficial to communities across the nation. CLPHA’s Board of Directors deeply thanks her for her stewardship, vision, and friendship, and wish her all the best in her next chapter.” Under Zaterman’s leadership CLPHA has been at the vanguard of the public and affordable housing industry’s most successful advancements, pushing for the tools and resources that PHAs need to evolve with national trends and respond to local challenges. Throughout her tenure CLPHA has been a staunch advocate for considering affordable housing for low-income households a key aspect of the social safety net on par with Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. At the beginning of Zaterman’s tenure, she established and directed the Housing Research Foundation (HRF), a CLPHA affiliate, to serve as the information and technical assistance clearinghouse for the nascent HOPE VI program under a cooperation agreement with HUD. HRF was instrumental in bringing new tools and ideas to PHAs on public/private finance, urban design, community building, resident service supports, and peer learning. “Sunia will leave CLPHA with a legacy of compassion, leadership, and transformative impact upon her retirement,” said La Shelle Dozier, CLPHA Board Vice President and Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency Executive Director. “Throughout her significant career at CLPHA and many years in the public and affordable housing industry, Sunia has ensured that improving the life outcomes of low-income individuals remains at the heart of CLPHA’s mission. Countless individuals served by PHAs have enjoyed increased housing stability, economic security, and access to critical services thanks to the initiatives and innovations that CLPHA has championed under Sunia’s leadership. Our industry will miss her greatly.” Under her leadership CLPHA was instrumental in the creation and subsequent expansions of the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration, a HUD program that allows PHAs greater flexibility to develop local solutions for local housing challenges. MTW PHAs have pioneered and scaled successful programs and greater efficiencies that improve lives and more effectively address the nation’s housing crisis. Many initiatives stemming from MTW PHAs have been adopted into law and regulations. CLPHA supported the creation of the MTW Collaborative, a non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of current and future MTW agencies. CLPHA continues the partnership with the Collaborative through a management agreement. “During her extraordinary tenure as CLPHA’s executive director Sunia has played a critical role in improving national housing policy and strengthening the affordable housing industry,” said Joshua Meehan, MTW Collaborative Board President and Keene Housing Executive Director. “Her leadership at CLPHA has consistently supported public housing authorities in doing better work for the people we serve. Her focus on amplifying the role public housing authorities can play in improving educational, economic, and health outcomes for residents and voucher holders is especially noteworthy and appreciated, and I know the entire industry is grateful to her for her hard work and dedication. I wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.” Recognizing the need for PHAs to expand cross-sector collaboration to better serve residents and create platforms for opportunity, under Zaterman’s leadership CLPHA developed Housing Is, an initiative to foster collaboration across the health, education, and housing sectors through shared goals, focused resources, and coordinated efforts. At its core, Housing Is helps build a future where systems work together to improve life outcomes. Housing Is has convened 11 national summits with a wide array of cross-sector partners. CLPHA continues its partnership with Housing Is under a management agreement. “Sunia has been a champion of housers and affordable housing for decades,” said George Guy, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) President and CEO/Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Housing Authority. “Sunia has helped cultivate collaboration and innovative ideas that have provided useful resources and tools to assist agencies in serving their communities. She is a true servant leader. I am grateful for her hard work, her leadership, and her tireless advocacy on behalf of public housing agencies and the residents they serve." During Zaterman’s tenure CLPHA was also instrumental in the creation of the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), a HUD program that preserves and improves affordable housing by allowing PHAs to leverage public-private partnerships to convert public housing units to long-term, project-based Section 8 rental assistance. CLPHA convened the RAD Collaborative, an initiative to build a community of practice and support to recapitalize the public housing portfolio, and offered stakeholders national and regional conferences, webinars, and policy analysis. Building on the successes of RAD to leverage private investment and responding to the need for expanded recapitalization tools and resources, CLPHA spearheads, under Zaterman’s leadership, the 10 Year Roadmap for Housing Sustainability. The Roadmap convenes a broad-based coalition of experts in housing, finance, development, and cross-sector approaches to develop and advance a 10-year reinvestment plan that establishes a sustainable, affordable, and service-enriched housing platform for residents to achieve their life goals. "Congratulations to Sunia on her upcoming retirement,” said Mark Gillett, Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) Immediate Past President and Oklahoma City Housing Authority Executive Director. “Her years of work with CLPHA reflect a deep commitment to housing policy and public service. Sunia has played a consistent role in shaping national conversations around affordable housing. As she steps into retirement, her presence in the field throughout her long career is much appreciated. We wish her the very best in the next chapter." In addition to her leadership of CLPHA, Zaterman currently serves on the board of the Emerald Cities Collaborative. She has also served on the Harvard Joint Center on Housing Studies' America's Rental Housing 2024 Advisory Group, Convergence Collaborative on Social Determinants of Health, American Rescue Plan Evaluation National Expert Panel, and Johns Hopkins HOPES Policy Advisory Board. She began her career in housing as a New York State governor’s fellow at the New York State Housing Finance Agency. She also served as the judiciary committee clerk in the Texas State Legislature. Zaterman served as the executive director of the Travis County, TX Housing Authority, and the director of research and development Alexandria, VA Redevelopment and Housing Authority. She was nominated for the Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing. Zaterman holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Barnard College. In advance of Zaterman’s retirement, CLPHA has begun a nationwide search for its next executive director through Sally M. Sterling Executive Search. To inquire about the position, email CLPHA@sallysterlingexecutivesearch.com.
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Throughout her tenure Zaterman has remained a steady and thoughtful steward of the needs of CLPHA members, who today number more than 85 of the largest and most innovative public housing authorities (PHAs) across the country. CLPHA’s members collectively own and manage nearly 40 percent of the nation’s public housing stock, administer more than a quarter of the Housing Choice Voucher program, and provide a wide array of other rental assistance. Above all, CLPHA under Zaterman’s leadership has centered the needs of low-income families that PHAs serve when charting the organization’s goals and priorities.|
### About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
If Enacted, the Proposal Would Also Negatively Impact Private Property Owners and Increase Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 6, 2025) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal:
“The Trump administration’s proposed budget that slashes $26.7 billion from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s rental assistance programs would cause irreparable harm to HUD programs that are essential lifelines to our nation’s children, seniors, and persons with disabilities, while also endangering private property owners who participate in federal rental assistance programs.
“If the President’s proposal were to be enacted, the interruption to vital rental assistance programs would be seismic and lead to a dramatic increase in homelessness in a nation where current rental subsidies only serve one out of our every four persons who qualify. With more than 600,000 private property owners participating in the Section 8 voucher program nationally, the economic impact of decimating these programs would lead to mortgage defaults and foreclosures just as the nation’s economy is worsening.
“Not only does the President’s budget cut rental assistance programs, but it also redesigns them into a state-based formula grant. History shows that block-granted programs often experience reduced funding over time, leading to fewer individuals served and increased poverty. This proposal would force state and local governments to implement significant cuts to current rental assistance programs due to diminished funds and limited capacity, threatening hundreds of thousands of families with homelessness.
“The FY25 final budget recognized the critical importance of funding rental assistance programs, and we urge Congress to continue fully funding rental assistance in the FY26 budget so that no family has to lose their home. CLPHA will work with Congress to advance a budget that keeps families housed and does not exacerbate homelessness and housing instability in America.”
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 85 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.
Media Contact:
David Greer, CLPHA
dgreer@clpha.org
(202) 550-1381
Pew Charitable Trust's state policy news outlet Stateline quoted CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman and CLPHA member executive directors in an article about the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on public housing authorities.
Zaterman told Stateline that PHAs need $5 billion in emergency supplemental funding due to several challenges PHAs are facing during this crisis, including a "significant reduction" in rental income, a dramatically reduced workforce, massive cleaning-related expenses, and communications challenges with residents while PHAs' physical offices are closed. PHAs also need a further $3.5 billion in emergency supplemental funds for the for the Housing Choice Voucher program.
“I’m worried,” Emilio Salas, acting executive director of the Los Angeles County Development Authority, told Stateline. “Tremendously.”
Douglas Guthrie, president and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, told Stateline that his PHA is working hard to address his city's homelesssness crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We can't wait for waivers from HUD to do what needs to be done today,” Guthrie said. “Shelter is the most important thing right now.”
Andrew Lofton, executive director of the Seattle Housing Authority, told Stateline that PHAs are also preparing for the inevitable surge of residents who test positive for COVID-19: "It’s just a matter of time."
Read Stateline's article "Public Housing Authorities Hit Hard by the Pandemic."
As of January 1, 2020, California has a state-wide law prohibiting landlords from rejecting potential tenants solely on their use of a housing voucher. The law, known as Source of Income (SOI) protection, replaces SOI ordinances that were previously in place in several California cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Clara County to cover voucher holders across the state.
A recent HUD-commissioned study on landlord acceptance of voucher holders in five cities found that those cities with an existing SOI law protecting voucher holders had higher rates of landlord acceptance compared to those cities without SOI protection. While cities with SOI laws devote varying amounts of resources to enforcement, HUD’s study suggests awareness of local SOI protections meaningfully deter discrimination by landlords. The Poverty & Race Research Action Council maintains an updated list of all SOI laws in place across the country.
In an effort to call attention to the affordable housing crisis during the 2020 election cycle and to spur presidential debate moderators to ask candidates about their affordable housing plans, the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Our Homes, Our Votes: 2020 campaign placed a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times on December 16 & 17. The ad featured OHOV: 2020’s letter urging PBS NewsHour, Politico, and debate moderators to ask presidential candidates how they would address the nation’s affordable housing crisis during the next debate, which will be held on December 19 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. CLPHA joined more than 1,000 organizations as co-signers to OHOV: 2020’s letter.
Following the devastating November fire at the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority’s (MPHA) Cedar High apartments, Minneapolis’s Star Tribune reported on the chronic federal underfunding of public housing that contributes to the massive, nationwide capital needs backlog at public housing communities and requires PHAs to make tough choices about building maintenance and repairs.
“Our priority is to make sure that life and safety are always taken care of,” said MPHA Interim Executive Director/CEO Tracey Scott in an October interview with the paper. “Quite simply that’s the hard choice you have to make because you would like to replace a kitchen cabinet but that has to come second to life and safety. We have to make choices.” MPHA estimates that its properties need an estimated $152 million in maintenance and renovations.
New York City Housing Authority Chair & CEO and CLPHA Board Member Greg Russ, MPHA’s former Executive Director/CEO, underscored the difficult choices housing authorities have to make when it comes to prioritizing maintenance and renovation projects: “We don’t have enough funding to keep basic systems in place nationally and have to pick and choose when we do get the capital money.” Russ added that inadequate federal funding is why MPHA and other agencies employ the RAD program to diversify and their funding sources so that they can afford the important and expensive rehabilitation of their properties.
CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman said that more “organized political will and bipartisan support” is needed in Congress in order to increase funding and fully address PHAs’ capital needs. “We are at the turning point in part because the affordable housing crisis is so heightened in our communities,” Zaterman said. “This is such an essential resource, the understanding that we have to invest is more pervasive and people are beginning to understand that ... but we haven’t had the reflection in our funding yet.”
Scott further stressed the effects that insufficient federal funding has on her agency’s ability to house and serve their low-income residents. “We’re a public agency and the mission is that we provide quality, well maintained homes for families to thrive and these are members of our community that need support and that helping hand,” she said, “We are providing a roof today, but if we don’t maintain it there would not be a roof tomorrow.”
CLPHA Members Elm City Communities, Miami-Dade Public Housing & Community Development Also Featured
Affordable Housing News magazine featured Executive Director Sunia Zaterman in its Fall 2019 issue, where Zaterman discussed CLPHA’s priorities, goals, and strategies for preserving and improving public and affordable housing. “We are very focused on appropriations and polices that support public housing authorities and the people they serve,” said Zaterman, adding that “[f]rom the beginning, we’ve been very focused on supporting the most innovative housing authorities in the country.” She cited programs like the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Moving to Work (MTW) as flexible, locally-oriented policies that innovative housing authorities are using to improve their housing stock and resident outcomes. Zaterman also emphasized the public housing portfolio’s capital needs backlog of more than $50 billion and the chronic underfunding of public housing programs, issues that are at the center of CLPHA’s advocacy efforts.
The article also highlights CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative, which seeks to broaden and deepen efforts to align housing, education, and health organizations to produce positive long-term outcomes for low-income individuals and families. Zaterman discussed some of the Housing Is Initiative’s work, including the Housing Is Summit, an annual convening dedicated to collaboration among the housing, education, and health sectors, and the creation of a data sharing agreement template for housing authorities and school systems so that they can identify shared issues and interests and develop evidence-based interventions. “We understand that housing is absolutely essential and foundational, but often, for families and special needs populations, is not sufficient in and of itself,” Zaterman said. “Our goal with the Housing Is Initiative is to improve and enhance our partnerships in healthcare, education, and workforce development to improve life outcomes for families, seniors, and persons with disabilities who reside in assisted housing.”
Read Affordable Housing News' article (on pages 20 and 21).
CLPHA members Miami-Dade Public Housing & Community Development (Miami-Dade PCHD) and Elm City Communities (ECC) were also featured in Affordable Housing News’ Fall 2019 issue. Read about Miami-Dade PCHD’s RAD-assisted Liberty Square redevelopment on pages 34-36 and about ECC’s employment of MTW flexibilities to create innovative resident programming and redevelop its public housing portfolio on pages 64-65.
From the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority's newsletter:
Spectrum announced the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) received an additional $25,000 toward its workforce development program through Spectrum Community Center Assist (SCCA), the company’s philanthropic initiative to revitalize local community centers and invest in job training programs in underserved rural and urban neighborhoods where Spectrum operates.
Over the past four years, Spectrum has provided a total of $157,000 to support the organization’s efforts.
“Through Spectrum’s investment in the community, we’re creating real pathways to economic mobility for individuals across Cleveland,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, CEO and Safety Director of CMHA. In 2025 alone, over 600 individuals advanced their employment goals through CMHA’s workforce development initiatives at Lakeview Community Center, gaining direct access to employers through job fairs, target skills workshops, and personalized digital support. “Each successful hire brings greater stability to families and lays a foundation for lasting success. When families thrive, the entire community rises with them,” Patterson added.
The partnership launched in 2022 when Spectrum employees and community volunteers helped make repairs and improvements to CMHA’s Lakeview Community Center. Spectrum also provided Chromebooks, a Smartboard, and its advances 1-gigabit-per-second internet service for the organization’s new Spectrum Training & Technology Center. Strategic partnerships, including the “Next Steps to Employment” workshop series and the Cleveland Clinic Workforce Program, amplified this impact by providing practical job placement skills and individualized guidance. Complementing these efforts, an on-site Digital Navigator offered one-on-one tech support to residents for career searches and online readiness.
Patricia Wells, Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority, and Mark Gillett, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, Elected to CLPHA’s Board
CLPHA is pleased to announce the election of two new board members: Patricia Wells, Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority, and Mark Gillett, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority. These two new members were elected at CLPHA’s Spring 2026 Board Meeting, held March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Wells and Gillett bring more than 50 years combined in public housing authority leadership to the board. CLPHA thanks Ms. Wells and Mr. Gillett for volunteering their time and expertise to the stewardship of our organization and looks forward to continuing our work with them to protect and expand affordable housing opportunities for low-income families across the country.
From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's website:
Every day, MPHA helps provide stable, affordable housing to more than 26,000 people. But the agency’s impact goes beyond just residents and program participants—MPHA invests millions in the local economy annually through contracted projects and services. In 2025, MPHA paid out $142,710,556 in contracts to local landlords, construction companies, security firms, and social service providers.
“MPHA is a key infrastructure in the city of Minneapolis—both for the people it helps house and for its investment in the local economy,” said Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “MPHA maintained thousands of homes, hundreds of jobs, and invested more than one hundred and forty million dollars in our community last year. I am proud of the incredible work our team does every day to make our community better, and I look forward to MPHA continuing to increase its investments in the years ahead.”
The largest portion of MPHA’s investment in the Twin Cities economy comes from administering nearly 7,500 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). Through MPHA’s vouchers, the agency provides participants with a rental subsidy and partners with landlords and affordable housing developers in the private rental market. Last year, the agency allocated more than $83 million in Housing Assistance Payments to local landlords on behalf of nearly 20,000 people who benefit from vouchers in Minneapolis.
With the agency’s capital backlog estimated at more than $290 million, MPHA completes substantial construction and renovation work every year. For the most complex projects, MPHA routinely contracts with local construction companies to supplement the work of its own in-house team of skilled maintenance and tradespeople. Last year, the agency broke ground on the largest public housing redevelopment in city history, Spring Manor. Other recent examples include $20 million in high-rise capital repairs and major exterior enveloping renovations at 65 scattered site family homes. In 2025, MPHA spent nearly $50 million with local contractors on the agency’s various construction projects.
Other major investments include security and social services, which are routinely listed as MPHA residents’ top priorities in annual budget conversations. MPHA spends several million dollars every year on security and social services across its high-rise buildings and family housing portfolio. The agency leverages security personnel, property gates, secure building access, and more to ensure its buildings are secure. Last year, the agency spent more than $5 million on security services.
To bring social services and community resources to residents, MPHA has a long-standing partnership with Volunteers of America (VOA). The services VOA team members deliver include helping residents through case management, health screenings and education, and referrals for additional support (food, health, etc.). In recent years, MPHA has seen the need for these services increase significantly. In response, MPHA has increased its VOA funding to nearly $1 million a year. This is part of a larger $3.5 million allocated to local partnered social service providers in 2025. In addition to the social services provided by VOA, MPHA contracts community and resident council support through Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council, housing stabilization support through Stable Homes Stable School, and more.
Helping provide housing to more than 26,000 people, MPHA is a key infrastructure in the City of Minneapolis and Twin Cities region. And with recent one-time and ongoing investments in MPHA by state and local leaders, the agency is poised to continue to expand its investments in the years ahead.
From the Tacoma Housing Authority's press release:
Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and its nonprofit subsidiary, Tacoma Housing Development Group (THDG), announced an $80,000 grant from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) to support the expansion of the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Project - a comprehensive initiative designed to advance academic success, social-emotional development, and mental health for young people living in THA communities. VMFH recently announced a commitment of $1.8 million to 29 local nonprofits, awarded through its 2026 Community Health Improvement Grants program; THA was among the 29 grant recipients.
The grant will help scale ELO’s proven summer enrichment model into year-round learning. During the 2026–2027 program year, ELO will expand from a five-week to an eight-week summer program and introduce after-school learning sessions for children and youth ages 5–18 across multiple THA properties.
Addressing Urgent Community Health and Education Needs
Youth living in low-income households often face systemic inequities, trauma, and limited access to safe, high-quality learning environments. The ELO Project aims to reduce these barriers through consistent exposure to caring adults, structured activities, supportive peer relationships, and opportunities for creativity and joy.
The ELO Project is a collaborative partnership between Tacoma Housing Authority, SOP Projects (Seeds of Peace), and Greentrike. Together, these organizations will serve more than 2,400 children and youth, focusing on those experiencing academic disengagement, social isolation, trauma, or behavioral and mental health challenges.
Programming will include:
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) skill building
- Mental health supports and wellness workshops
- Academic tutoring and enrichment
- STEM and arts activities
- Mentorship opportunities
- Physical activity and play based learning
THA will provide grant oversight and program management, ensuring success for its properties and residents. SOP Projects (Seeds of Peace) will lead SEL, conflict resolution, youth led coordination, and mental health awareness initiatives—including training youth leaders in Teen Mental Health First Aid. Greentrike will provide curriculum development, staff training, and support to ensure equitable, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
“This investment allows us to provide year-round programming that strengthens emotional resilience, builds academic confidence, and nurtures the unique potential of young people in our communities,” said THA Executive Director April Black. “We are deeply grateful to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for recognizing the importance of prevention-focused, community-rooted development for young people.”
The expanded ELO Project will help ensure that the program is fostering long-term wellbeing, reducing summer learning loss, and helping close opportunity gaps for THA youth.
From the Durham Housing Authority's press release:
The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Durham ("DHA") announced today the retirement of Interim Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Snell, effective February 6, 2026. Mr. Snell has made the difficult decision to bring his career in the public sector to a close in order to return home and spend more time with his family.
Mr. Snell joined DHA in 2020. As its Director of Real Estate, he was the driving force behind the development of several high-profile affordable housing projects including JJ Henderson, The Joyce, 500 East Main, Elizabeth Street Apartments, Commerce Street Apartments, Dillard Street Apartments, Villages of Hayti, Tribute Rising, numerous public-private partnerships and many more. Additionally, Mr. Snell was instrumental in fostering a collaborative and impactful partnership between DHA and City of Durham in connection with the City's commitment to investing in the preservation and development of affordable housing.
Since December 2024, Mr. Snell has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of DHA. During his tenure, Mr. Snell has strengthened both operational and financial stability at DHA. The Board extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Snell for his outstanding dedication and leadership during his term of service with DHA.
The Board also announced both that it will begin a national search for the next permanent Chief Executive Officer and that Ashanti Brown will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer during this transition period. Ms. Brown currently serves as DHA's Chief Operating Officer. She began her tenure at DHA in 2017 as the first Director of Strategic Management and has served as the Chief Operating Officer since 2024.
"I join my fellow Commissioners in congratulating Mr. Snell on an outstanding career at DHA and in the public sector," said Mayme Webb Bledsoe, Chair of the DHA Board of Commissioners. Mr. Snell's firm leadership and strategic vision have set DHA on a successful path into the future. We wish him well in his retirement."
"I want the citizens of Durham, particularly DHA residents, to know that my service here has been one of the highlights of my career," said Mr. Snell. I sincerely appreciated the support and guidance of the Board of Commissioners and the City of Durham, and the commitment of the DHA staff. I am confident that the progress made under my leadership will serve the Durham community well into the future."