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David Greer
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“In the coming weeks, the House will consider bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize the disaster relief funding platform for housing programs. The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 is rational, comprehensive, badly needed, and Congress should pass it. Its proposed standardization and codification would make it easier for public housing authorities (PHAs) to apply for, and receive, relief funds after being impacted by disasters the way our colleagues and their residents were in Houston during Hurricane Harvey, in Wilmington during Hurricane Florence, in San Buenaventura during the Camp Fire, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico during Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“Perhaps if the bill were law today, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development would have a harder time intentionally stalling the disaster relief funding process for Puerto Rico, which two senior HUD officials admitted to doing during a hearing last month, and Secretary Carson has not denied.
“This is unconscionable and a blatant disregard of a statutory deadline. Though Congress has allocated $20 billion in CDBG-DR funds to Puerto Rico, HUD has only disbursed $1.5 billion, while thousands of American citizens struggle to recover.
“To remedy this, Senate appropriators included strong language in the THUD spending bill to prevent HUD from implementing its financial transformation initiative until the Department takes the appropriate steps to make all disaster recovery funds available along with necessary administrative requirements, which would include remaining allocations to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Congress must take action to compel HUD to follow the law. We urge support for the House and Senate efforts to ensure that all Americans, regardless of income and geography, whose housing is impacted by natural disaster receive the support they need quickly and efficiently.”
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 and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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WASHINGTON (September 20, 2019) – Sunia Zaterman, the Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement today in response to President Trump’s and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Carson’s recent comments on the crisis of homelessness in America:
“It is astounding that this administration is calling for an end to homelessness while refusing to reinvest in public and affordable housing. People without a place to live need stable housing, not just campaign rally rhetoric or politically driven economic reporting based on cherry-picked research to manufacture a root cause of homelessness.
“The reasons for homelessness vary and no single solution will end the crisis, but there is no question that the lack of affordable housing opportunities exacerbates the problem for families, people with disabilities, and veterans.
“The Housing First model, recognized by HUD as recently as December as the most effective way to end homelessness, treats stable housing as a platform for supportive services that meet immediate and long-term needs for individuals and families.
“Meanwhile, this Administration has tried to gut funding for HUD and for public housing authorities, which are essential partners in local efforts to provide safe, stable housing to low and very-low income families, and those most vulnerable to homelessness.
“PHAs work with their Continuums of Care to provide transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and vouchers to households exiting homelessness. They also coordinate with a variety of local service providers to offer supportive services to ensure housing stability, and work with health and education partners to promote access to services that are essential for family well-being and self-sufficiency.
“The hundreds of thousands of unsheltered people living on the streets in our country need real solutions, not campaign speeches.”
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 and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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CLPHA Applauds Appointment of Greg Russ to Lead New York City Housing Authority
Greg Russ is the right leader at the right time to oversee NYCHA and tackle the unique challenges facing the nation's largest and oldest public housing authority.
WASHINGTON (June 19, 2019) - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of New York yesterday announced the appointment of Gregory Russ to serve as the next Chair of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) issued the following statement in support of the city's selection of Russ, who is the current CEO/Executive Director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) and a member of CLPHA's Board of Directors:
"Greg Russ is the right leader at the right time to oversee NYCHA and tackle the challenges facing the nation's largest and oldest public housing authority. Greg is a distinguished public housing executive and proven change maker who has led with innovation to positively transform affordable housing for residents and communities. He is uniquely qualified for this position because of his experience as the Director of Troubled Agency Recovery and his work at the Chicago and Philadelphia housing authorities.
"Throughout his career, Greg has shown a commitment to preserving and improving the public housing stock while promoting self sufficiency and economic opportunities for HUD-assisted families in PHAs across the nation. In addition to his leadership in the field, Greg is considered a national expert on public housing policy.
"CLPHA applauds Mayor Bill de Blasio's selection of Greg Russ to serve as NYCHA's next chair and we look forward to supporting Greg in his new role."
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 and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative to better insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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From the Sacramento Bee:
A large apartment complex for formerly homeless people in downtown Sacramento will soon be expanded.
The Sacramento City Council Tuesday approved $7.8 million in state and city loans for the new five-story building near 11th and H streets. This will be for formerly homeless individuals who earn under 30% area median income.
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The building will have 52 units, comprised of 35 studio units and 17 one-bedroom units, the staff report said. The studios will be 420 square feet, while the one bedrooms will be 800 square feet. The project will be adjacent to Central Sacramento Studios Phase 1. That project opened in 2023 with 92 units for formerly homeless people at the former Best Western Sutter House motel.
From Atlanta Housing's press release:
Atlanta Housing (AH) and its public-private partners broke ground today on Bowen Homes Phase I, a $63.6 million redevelopment project set to revitalize the historic Bowen Homes site and the Carey Park neighborhood. Leaders from Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Centene Foundation, Peach State Health Plan and development partners McCormack Baron Salazar and The Benoit Group joined in celebrating this milestone, marking the beginning of a transformative, multi-year effort. The redevelopment of Bowen Homes will create a vibrant, mixed-income community and serve as a national model for equitable, community-focused revitalization.
Located in the northwest area of Atlanta, Bowen Phase 1 will add 151 units to Atlanta’s housing inventory, with most of them reserved as affordable.
“Bowen is poised to be a national model for neighborhood transformation, an anchor for progress in Carey Park, and a testament to the power of community-focused redevelopment,” said Atlanta Housing President and CEO Terri Lee. “This project is about more than housing; it’s about empowering people, fostering economic self-sufficiency, and ensuring that families have the support they need to succeed for generations to come.”
This transformational investment is critical as development expands westward from Atlanta’s urban core. Supported in part by a $40 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant and backed by over $523 million in public and private commitments, the project is expected to catalyze broader revitalization along the Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and James Jackson Parkway corridors.
“I am super excited! The redevelopment of Bowen Homes is delivering on our promise to invest in affordable housing and bringing a vibrant neighborhood back to a community who has long-deserved quality homes, access to fresh food and quality greenspace,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “This project represents not only new homes, but the preservation of a community’s history and a commitment to its future. Thank you to all of the partners involved who share our vision for an inclusive and thriving Atlanta.”
The first phase will feature deeply affordable housing, including:
- 48 units for households earning 30% or below of the Area Median Income (AMI), defined by HUD as $32,250 annual household income for a family of four in the Atlanta metro area
- 49 units for families earning up to 60% AMI
- 10 workforce housing units for essential professionals such as teachers, nurses, and first responders
- 44 market-rate units to promote economic diversity and integration
“As a national leader in community-focused development, we are honored to help bring the vision of Bowen Homes back to life,” said Vincent R. Bennett, CEO of MBA Properties, Inc. and President, McCormack Baron Salazar. “This mixed-income, sustainable development will not only provide high-quality housing but also create a thriving, connected community that reflects the resilience and aspirations of its residents.”
“The redevelopment of Bowen Homes is a testament to what is possible when the public and private sectors work together toward a shared vision,” said Eddy Benoit Jr., CEO of The Benoit Group. “This transformation will serve as a model for how we can create equitable, sustainable neighborhoods that honor the past while embracing the future.”
From the Spokane Housing Authority's press release:
The Spokane Housing Authority (SHA), a leading organization dedicated to facilitating access to affordable housing across seven Eastern Washington counties, is pleased to announce their recent signing to purchase vacant land from Country Homes Christian Church. Located at the intersection of North Wall and Country Homes Boulevard adjacent to the church, this strategic purchase is a noteworthy step forward in addressing our region’s affordable housing needs.
The site has been named Chalice Place to reflect the prominence of the chalice in the Country Homes Christian Church’s theology. SHA plans on developing a vibrant community with about 100 units for seniors with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This initiative aligns with SHA’s mission to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing solutions for all members of our communities.
“Our partnership with Country Homes Christian Church in developing the Chalice Place site is a prime example of how faith-based organizations can play a vital role in creating affordable housing solutions while continuing to support their congregation,” said Pam Parr, Executive Director of SHA. “We at Spokane Housing are excited to continue this collaboration.”
Chalice Place will prioritize serving seniors by offering high-quality housing options tailored to their needs. Units will be income-restricted to ensure affordability, with rent prices set at levels to enable households to thrive economically. For instance, a single-person household earning
$35,100 annually would pay approximately $878 per month for a one-bedroom unit.
Construction on the project is intended to commence in fall 2026, with completion anticipated by spring 2028. The waiting list is not available at this time. SHA is dedicated to ensuring that the development process is conducted with transparency, accountability, and community input
every step of the way.
From the Chicago Housing Authority's press release:
Mayor Brandon Johnson today joined Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) leadership, 43rd Ward Ald. Timothy Knudsen, Co-Developer PIRHL and the Illinois Housing Development Authority to celebrate the completion of extensive renovations at the Edith Spurlock Sampson senior apartments and the grand opening of the new Sheffield Residences. Together, Edith Spurlock Sampson and the Sheffield Residences are a mixed-income, affordable, multi-generational, transit-oriented development providing 485 apartments in the heart of Lincoln Park.
“The redevelopment of the Edith Spurlock Sampson senior apartments and the completion of the new Sheffield Residences represent a major step forward in our collective commitment to fostering multi-generational and mixed-income housing," said City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “With this $168 million investment, we are preserving affordable housing for seniors, expanding opportunities for families and making significant steps to ensure Chicago remains a city where affordable housing broadens opportunities.”
Edith Spurlock Sampson Apartments is composed of two senior buildings that have been a vital part of the Lincoln Park community since the late 1960s. The 394 existing apartments were extensively renovated and an additional 11 new senior apartments were added on an under-utilized parking lot at the site. All apartments received new kitchens and baths, as well as new plumbing and air conditioning, elevator improvements, modern lighting and more.
The Sheffield Residences is a new six-story building featuring 80 family apartments. It is positioned parallel to the Edith Spurlock Sampson apartments with a connecting pedestrian bridge linking all three structures. In addition to the apartments, it includes a community hub with a large activity/dining room for the Golden Diner senior meal program as well as gathering areas for residents.
The entire property is a designated Transit-Oriented-Development site, offering residents convenient walkable access to medical offices, grocery stores, retail shops and parks.
"Having leadership from the City of Chicago and CHA, come together with developer partners, residents and the community to celebrate this achievement underscores the power of collaboration," said Angela Hurlock, CHA Interim CEO.
"These mixed-income, multi-generational apartments will serve as an anchor for the community, allowing seniors, families, and professionals of all kinds – all of whom are part of the fabric of our city – to find affordable homes near jobs, schools, and civic resources,” said Kristin Faust, Illinois Housing Development Authority Executive Director. “We are proud to have supported this transformative development and are committed to continuing this work in Chicago and across the entire state.”
“The development is truly unique - a first of its kind. We hope it can serve as a flagship model for senior and family housing throughout the city,” said Johana Casanova, Senior Vice President of Development, PIRHL, co-developer on the project. “With each floor completed, residents were eagerly waiting to move back into their new homes. There is genuine excitement from the residents because the space was redeveloped with their needs at the forefront.”
The opening of the Edith Spurlock Sampson/Sheffield Residences marks the final of three ribbon-cuttings for CHA housing this month, following Encuentro Square on Feb. 15 and the Canvas at Leland Plaza on Feb. 26. These events highlight the agency’s ongoing commitment to creating new housing opportunities in communities across Chicago.
Mayor and CHA Announce Key Updates on Agency Progress
During the event, Mayor Johnson, CHA Interim CEO Angela Hurlock, and CHA Interim Board Chairman Matthew Brewer also announced timely CHA-related updates. The agency is at a moment of transition and undertaking key steps to reprioritize resident and community engagement and collaboration as it renews itself for the future.
“Under my administration, the Chicago Housing Authority is beginning to address its past challenges around lack of transparency and accountability head-on. In this moment, CHA must ensure that its residents—and the entire city—have renewed confidence in the agency,” said City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “A shift like this does not happen overnight, but I am encouraged by the spirit of collaboration and energy that are happening in this moment.”
As Chicago’s largest rental landlord and third-largest public housing authority in the U.S., CHA plays a critical role in expanding access to affordable housing. With an estimated shortage of nearly 120,000 affordable rental units in Chicago as of 2023, according to DePaul University's Institute of Housing Studies, the demand continues to grow. Amid escalating housing pressures, sweeping national political changes, post-pandemic economic shifts and a pivotal moment of organizational change, CHA faces both an urgent need and a powerful opportunity to define its future.
“We are considering 2025 to be CHA’s ‘Year of Renewal,’” said Angela Hurlock, CHA Interim CEO. “This year is all about being intentional and inclusive as we amplify key stakeholder voices and begin to rebuild trust through openness, collaboration and long-term strategic planning.”
From Affordable Housing Finance:
Officials have closed on the financing for the construction of a new $62 million apartment development and $8 million in major infrastructure work for the redevelopment of the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing complex in Boston.
Led by WinnCompanies and the Boston Housing Authority, the move kicks off the first phase of the much-anticipated 3,300-unit, large-scale mixed-income and mixed-use project.
When completed in the fall of 2026, the first 112,000-square-foot building will provide 94 modern apartments for low-income families currently living at the Mary Ellen McCormack community, offering 37 one-, 44 two-, 12 three-, and one four-bedroom units.
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“This milestone represents our unwavering commitment to the families of Mary Ellen McCormack,” BHA administrator Kenzie Bok said. “We are not only preserving deeply affordable homes but also creating a new, thriving mixed-income community to which current residents will have the right to return. With this first building, we are laying the foundation for a neighborhood that will be greener, more connected, and full of opportunity for all.”