CLPHA Press Room

From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's press release:

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council approved a funding agreement enabling MPHA to begin administering a new city-funded Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, modeled after the successful but sunsetting federal EHV program. This program will provide targeted rental assistance in partnership with Hennepin County’s Continuum of Care for individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or have a high risk of housing instability.

The new city-funded EHV will provide up to 36 months of rental assistance for up to 100 households. The program has a goal of enrolling 50 individuals and 50 families.

“This new program offers a lifeline to some of our most vulnerable neighbors at a time of competing housing and homelessness crises in our city,” said Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “I am thankful to Councilmember Wonsley and Council Vice President Osman for leading the city’s investment in this proven solution. Agency staff are eager to get this new funding in the hands of individuals and families most in need and to help address our community’s housing affordability challenges.”

The new city-funded EHV program was first established by Councilmembers Robin Wonsley and Jamal Osman in the City of Minneapolis’ 2025 budget. Following a series of challenges to establish a funding agreement in 2025, the program was excluded from Mayor Frey’s proposed 2026 budget. Councilmember Wonsley subsequently led an effort to amend the City of Minneapolis’ 2026 budget, initially restoring the $1.4 million in annual funding for the program. The City Council later amended this proposal, changing the structure to a three-year, $1 million-a-year pilot program (appropriating $2,091,786 in 2026, with 2027 and 2028 city budgets projected to include additional funding).

To be eligible for this new program, households will need to be assessed and referred through Hennepin County’s Coordinated Entry System. Once a participant household is referred to MPHA and approved for participation, households will be offered wrap-around case management services provided by Hennepin County and county-contracted providers, including housing coordination and placement within the City of Minneapolis, up to $3,500 in assistance from MPHA to help address any obstacles in both finding and moving into stable housing, and ongoing rental assistance from MPHA to maintain housing stability for up to three years.

This unique combination of benefits mirrors the federal EHV program and are intended to increase access and remove barriers for unhoused individuals and families facing the most immediate housing challenges.

While the new program will issue 36-month vouchers, the 36 months of rental assistance may not occur over 36 consecutive months. Based on the federal EHV program, vouchers are expected to be administered for up to five years due to initial placement timelines (on average, it takes approximately six months from program enrollment for a household to find a rental unit) as well as accommodating pauses because of participant rehousing needs. When a placed household wants or is required to move without a new unit under lease, voucher use is paused until a new unit is secured. This allowance can push the actual administration of the voucher beyond 36 months.

The agency anticipates issuing its first EHV on or around June 1, with the placement of all 100 available EHVs estimated to take 18 months from the first issuance.

From the King County Housing Authority:

The first King County Housing Authority Dream to Keys home purchase is official! KCHA staff Sandeep Kamoh and Kristin Pace built this program to create a real path to homeownership. Now, KCHA residents have the opportunity to use their voucher toward a mortgage and build wealth through ownership.

And it's paying off.

Lanequia went from learning about Dream to Keys to owning her home in nearly 5 months. Once she found the right place, she closed in 16 days. An incredible result that speaks to the hard work of KCHA and our community partners, Movement Mortgage and Paul Real Estate Group. 

This is a big deal. Not just because it's a first, but because it proves what's possible for long-term stability and opportunity.

Congratulations to Lanequia on her new home — and to Sandeep and Kristin for bringing this program to life!

Take a moment to watch Lanequia's story.

From the Spokane Housing Authority's press release:

The Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) has been awarded $126,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce Early Learning Facilities Program to support predesign of the Orchard Vista Early Learning Childcare Center in the Dishman Hills neighborhood of Spokane Valley. The facility will be co-located with SHA’s Orchard Vista Apartments—240 affordable units currently under construction—and will help meet the region’s need for high-quality, affordable childcare. 

The Orchard Vista Apartments will serve households at or below 60% of area median income. Through a public-private partnership with the Spokane-based Inland Group, SHA is developing the housing with working families in mind. It is centrally located in a commercial area, just minutes away from a WinCo Foods, the Valley Transit Center, the Spokane Valley Library, Spokane Valley City Hall, and Balfour Park. The first units are expected to be ready for occupancy by May 2026, with full project completion by year end. 

To further support working families with children, SHA set aside a quarter-acre parcel on the same site to construct a childcare center. The planned 4,500-square-foot facility will be located on the site’s northwest corner. SHA has already invested approximately $580,000 of its own general unrestricted funds in land acquisition and site preparation. 

The award will enable SHA to work with a design team, including a childcare provider, who will advise on facility design, ensuring the space is shaped by expert guidance and aligned with its operational needs. The final design and operating model will determine the number of new childcare slots the center will support. SHA currently estimates capacity for two classrooms of approximately 18-20 students each, for a total of 36-40 new Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) or Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) slots available to residents of the Orchard Vista Apartments and qualifying families in the surrounding area. 

SHA will own the facility and lease it to an operator. SHA aims to minimize debt on the property to support an economically viable agreement between both the operator and SHA. SHA will collaborate with the operator to ensure the facility meets community needs, including the potential provision of extended or non-traditional childcare hours. 

“Investing in this new childcare and early learning facility is really an investment in our community’s future,” said Pamela Parr, Executive Director of SHA. “Families will have access to high-quality care that supports children’s development and gives parents the peace of mind they need to thrive at work. For employers, this project strengthens the local workforce by reducing childcare barriers and helping parents stay engaged in their careers. We’re proud to help create a space that benefits families, supports businesses, and builds a strong foundation for our region.” 

From Fresno Housing's press release:

Fresno Housing, alongside community partners and local leaders, celebrated the groundbreaking of Avalon Commons Phase II, continuing the development of a new affordable housing community in Northeast Fresno.

Phase II will add 45 affordable apartment homes, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. This expansion builds on Avalon Commons Phase I, completed in December 2024, and brings the full development to 105 total units in a high-opportunity area with access to schools, employment, and essential services.

The ceremony brought together elected officials, development partners, and community members to mark the next step in expanding access to quality, affordable housing in Fresno.

“We’re not just building housing, we’re changing what’s possible for families in this community,” said Tyrone Roderick Williams, CEO of Fresno Housing. “Avalon Commons puts opportunity within reach with access to strong schools, stable housing, and a future families can build on.”

“This project reflects what we can accomplish when we invest in every corner of our city,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “Collaboration and strong partnerships are essential to addressing Fresno’s housing needs, and Avalon Commons Phase II represents a meaningful step forward. By expanding housing opportunities in Northeast Fresno, we’re supporting families today and building long-term stability for generations to come.”

Sharon Williams spoke to the broader impact of housing on families and future generations, emphasizing that access to stable, quality housing creates a foundation for success and opportunity.

Avalon Commons Phase II is made possible through a collaborative effort involving public, private, and philanthropic partners, including the City of Fresno, California Department of Housing and Community Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, PNC Bank, Brown Construction, R.L. Davidson, Inc. Architects, The Kresge Foundation, and The California Endowment.

Fresno Housing continues to advance developments that expand housing opportunities across Fresno County, aligning with its mission to create and sustain vibrant communities.

From the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency's newsletter:

The first quarter of the year welcomed grand opening and groundbreaking celebrations with our development partners creating over 90 units of affordable housing for the City and County.

Donner Field Senior Apartments broke ground on February 27, 2026, in Oak Park. This project by Eden Housing located at 3311 45th Street will create 67 units of affordable housing with rents that are restricted to households with income between 30 % to 50% AMI. SHRA provided $8.25 million in City-approved financing and the Housing Authority awarded 17 project based vouchers. The County Department of Health Services (DHS) will provide case management and supportive services under a funding partnership through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Resident amenities include a community building, computer room, multipurpose room, BBQ area, bocce ball court, and a community garden.

Beech Hill Apartments opened with a ribbon cutting event (pictured above) on February 26, 2026, at 8789 Greenback Lane in Orangevale. The community was built by Pacific Housing, Inc., and features 28 units of workforce housing for families earning between 30% to 60% of the Sacramento Area Median Income (AMI). The developer received loan assistance from SHRA in the form of approximately $2.5 million in County Affordable Housing Funds. Families will have access to onsite resident services, including after school activities, plus amenities such as a community room, open turf area with tables and seating, and school aged play area.

By assisting these projects on behalf of the City and County, SHRA is able to fulfill its mission of providing a range of affordable housing opportunities working with experienced developers who are willing to build affordable rental units. SHRA staff in our Development, Housing Choice Voucher, Finance, Legal, and Real Estate and Construction Services Departments provided one-stop essential expertise and guidance to the developers through the process to bring these projects to fruition.