Welcome to CLPHA's Press Room
CLPHA experts welcome interview requests from print, radio, television, and online reporters and are happy to provide their insights on issues of public housing and related legislation and policy.
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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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WASHINGTON (May 9, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will formally propose a new rule tomorrow that would disallow undocumented immigrants from living in federally subsidized housing. The proposed rule, which will be published in the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period, would impact tens of thousands of immigrant families that include U.S. citizen children and other family members who are eligible for assistance.
The Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, Sunia Zaterman, issued the following statement in response to the proposed rule:
“CLPHA is strongly opposed to HUD’s punitive proposal that would make it harder for public housing authorities (PHAs) to serve their communities.
“The consequences are significant. Well over 10,000 mixed-immigration status family members currently served by one PHA, plus tens of thousands more around the country, would be impacted by the rule, making them more vulnerable to housing instability. HUD’s proposal would create more challenges for an already underfunded homeless services and prevention system.
“This policy is antithetical to the mission of the federal public housing program – to provide housing that is safe, decent and affordable to low- and very low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and administer the housing choice voucher program.
“We are housers, not ICE agents, but that is exactly what HUD’s proposed rule is asking public housing authorities (PHAs) to become by requiring PHA staff to determine the immigration status of every household member and report it into a federal database.
“CLPHA will be submitting public comments in opposition to the proposed rule during the comment period.”
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 work to better insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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Public Housing is as much a part of the national infrastructure as Route 66, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Hoover Dam.
WASHINGTON (April 30, 2019) - Today the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing entitled “Housing in America: Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of America’s Housing Stock” to examine the need for investment in affordable housing infrastructure--including public housing—and investigate additional barriers to developing affordable housing.
Sunia Zaterman, the executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement after watching the hearing and reviewing draft legislation circulated by Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) that would authorize funding for several housing infrastructure projects, including $70 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund:
“Public housing is as a much a part of the national infrastructure as Route 66, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Hoover Dam. Public housing helps communities and families thrive by providing more than one million low- and very-low income families, children, elderly and persons with disabilities with a stable place to live, connecting low-income workers to economic opportunities, and spurring regional job creation and economic growth.
“But, years of chronic underfunding have led to the deterioration of the public housing stock and since 1990, at least 300,000 units have been lost because of the lack of adequate resources to maintain them. The federal disinvestment in public housing has contributed to an untenable shortage of stable housing for low-income households.
“A reinvestment in public housing should include adequate funding to preserve and improve the public housing stock. Equally important is thoughtful consideration about additional tools that public housing authorities can use to modernize and develop affordable housing to meet the needs of residents and local communities. Expanding the Rental Assistance Demonstration program and increasing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocations, for example, would support public housing authorities’ recapitalization and redevelopment efforts.
“Housing is infrastructure and we thank the Chairwoman and the Committee for underscoring the importance of public housing during today’s hearing and in the Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2019.”
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 work to better insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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WASHINGTON (April 22, 2019) - On April 17, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released a proposed rule for Congressional review to disallow undocumented immigrants from living in federally subsidized housing. The notice is not yet publicly available but will eventually be posted in the Federal Register for a public comment period.
In response to reports of HUD’s proposed rule, Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement:
“On its face, this proposal is very problematic. Like the public charge rule, it is an unwarranted attack on low-income immigrant families who are welcome members of the communities served by public housing authorities.
“This rule is another attempt to gut the very core of public housing’s mission to provide housing that is safe, stable, and affordable to our country’s most vulnerable populations.
“CLPHA is engaging our membership to understand how this rule would directly impact their communities and will be submitting public comments in opposition to the proposed rule during the comment period. “
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 work to better insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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From Comcast's press release:
The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) and Comcast today announced they have partnered to provide a WiFi connection to Xfinity's advanced network in all 16 of PHA’s buildings in Saint Paul. The partnership is Comcast’s first collaboration with a Minnesota-based housing agency to provide preinstalled, already on connectivity to the Xfinity network for their residents.
More than 2,500 units will be equipped with Xfinity’s fast and reliable network and wall-to-wall WiFi coverage. With Xfinity’s network readily available, residents will not need to schedule a technician to set up services, wait for their modem to arrive or go to an Xfinity Store to collect their equipment. To activate service, residents will only need to call or use the Xfinity App.
“Internet access provides connectivity to 21st century infrastructure, equipping our residents with the tools vital to enhancing opportunities for education, employment, and quality of life," said Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. "The collaboration between Saint Paul Public Housing Agency and Comcast empowers our neighbors to realize a brighter future.”
Current residents and new residents moving into WiFi ready units can connect to the Internet within five minutes of collecting their keys—making it that much easier to get all their devices up and running.
“Access to WiFi isn’t just about connecting devices; for us it’s about connecting PHA residents to opportunity,” said PHA Board Chair Missy Staples Thompson. “Making PHA-owned high-rises WiFi-ready can help residents cross the digital divide and open doors to education, employment, and empowerment. We appreciate this partnership with Comcast that will benefit residents and their communities.”
The Xfinity network will be installed in phases. Completion of the first two buildings just occurred, and 14 additional buildings will have WiFi ready units residents can connect to by the end of 2024.
April Black, CLPHA Board Member and Tacoma Housing Authority Executive Director, recently co-authored an op-ed for The News Tribune with Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards entitled "Tacoma is desperate for more affordable housing. To build it we need the state’s help:"
No one should have to come home from work and be faced with the impossible choice of putting food on the table or having a roof over their head. But, in one of the wealthiest nations on earth, far too many are. Washington state, and Tacoma, have not been left unscathed.
In Tacoma, according to data published by Zillow, home values have increased by 178 percent since 2000 and the cost of rent has increased by nearly 40 percent since 2019. Before the pandemic, two out of five households spent at least a third of their income on housing. We can plainly and visibly see that the pandemic has made things worse. For far too many, basic housing is now an unattainable luxury. And our lower-income and historically marginalized residents have been disproportionately impacted by these disturbing trends.
This is more than a housing crisis. This is a full-scale humanitarian crisis.
The City of Tacoma has been proactive in taking steps to alleviate it with a plan that ensures housing dollars are spent strategically. This plan has been foundational to the passage of City Council policies like Home in Tacoma. One of the most expansive, flexible residential policies in the state, Home in Tacoma opened up a range of housing types allowing more than one unit per lot in a way that was compatible in scale with single-family homes while preserving the unique character of Tacoma’s historic neighborhoods. With state funding augmenting local funding, Tacoma has also implemented a number of other options for deeply affordable housing.
But we need to do more to address the staggering level of need that exists. Action at all levels of government is critical in order to keep pace with the anticipated growth of our region over the next 20 years. With just a few weeks left in the state legislative session, efforts to find policy solutions to address the state’s housing crisis continue in earnest. As the Legislature focuses on critical changes to increase our housing supply statewide, more local funding for housing development is desperately needed. There are two proposals that would provide this necessary funding.
HB 1628, the Affordable Homes Act, creates a 1% increase in a portion of real estate taxes paid on properties worth more than $5 million, providing the state an additional $200 million per year to distribute to local communities. It also creates a new local option to levy one-fourth of 1 percent tax on real estate transactions, providing approximately $7 million more annually for housing and homelessness in Tacoma.
SB 5202, proposed by Gov. Jay Inslee, is a referendum that raises $4 billion over six years without taxation, by issuing bonds to add housing across the state.
We urge our legislators to act now. You can help by contacting them and asking for their support of HB 1628 and SB 5202 to boost local efforts around affordable housing.
These two proposals would provide a path forward in a manner we so urgently need.
From WTNH 8 News New Haven:
The Housing Authority of New Haven cut the ribbon Friday on 40 housing units in the West Rock neighborhood.
Karen DuBois-Walton, the president of Elm City Communities, said there are 40,000 families on a waitlist for affordable housing.
“So, this is going to be a step for some families who have been waiting,” she said. “The first units will be for folks who are coming back, but not everybody returns, so there are new units available.”
The Valley Townhomes development includes 32 housing units designated as “affordable” and eight market-rate apartments. They replace a development built on the spot in the 1970s that was demolished.
The development includes energy efficient units, a community center and a playscape.
From the Houston Housing Authority's press release:
For an 83-year-old grandmother, a simple bathroom renovation means she can now shower safely without fear of falling. Across town, a young family is preparing to move to a neighborhood with better schools, a dream they never thought possible. These life-changing moments are becoming reality for many Houstonians, thanks to two new programs launched by the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With $6.25 million in funding, these initiatives are redefining what affordable housing means for vulnerable residents.
The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program offers comprehensive support to families with Housing Choice Vouchers to expand their housing and neighborhood options, while the Older Adult Home Modification Program provides essential safety and accessibility modifications, enabling low-income seniors to safely age in place.
"These programs will significantly expand our ability to support those in need," said David A. Northern Sr., President and CEO of HHA. "One program provides mobility-related services to enrolled families, enhancing their housing choices and access to high-opportunity areas. The other assists low-income seniors by making essential home modifications, facilitating safer and more accessible living environments."
The Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program addresses barriers like security deposits, housing search time, and landlord acceptance to increase access to desirable areas for voucher holders, helping families move into neighborhoods with better schools, lower crime rates, and more opportunities.
The Older Adult Home Modification Program is designed to help seniors stay in their own homes instead of moving to nursing homes or other assisted care facilities. By making modifications that enhance safety, improve accessibility, and boost functional abilities, the program reduces the risk of falls and supports older adults in living independently.
"With these groundbreaking programs, we are tackling the affordable housing crisis head-on," said Candace Valenzuela, Regional Administrator for HUD. "Here, HUD is supporting Houston's efforts with over $6 million in grant funds. Houston's leadership in adopting these initiatives underscores a dedicated effort to reduce housing disparities and provide critical support to both families and seniors in need."
"Launching the Older Adult Home Modification Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Services Program in Houston enables HHA to make more critical investments in the future of our city," said Jody Proler, Chair, HHA Board of Commissioners. "These programs not only enable HHA to extend its services and resources to more Houstonians, they also align with our charge to provide more equitable and accessible affordable housing options for a promising future."
From Rep. Pete Aguilar's press release:
Yesterday, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $2.6 million in federal funding for the Arrowhead Grove Community Resource Center, which will provide supportive services focused on health, wellness, housing stability services and economic self-sufficiency for Arrowhead Grove residents.
Following the announcement, Rep. Aguilar co-hosted a roundtable with the Federal Home Loan Bank, National CORE and regional leaders to discuss how supportive services like job training, outpatient health services and child care play a role in addressing the housing crisis.
According to a Point-in-Time Count and Survey conducted last year, homelessness in San Bernardino County increased by over 25 percent in 2023, and 71 percent of the homeless population were unsheltered. Over the past two years, Rep. Aguilar announced over $72 million for Housing, Homelessness and Supportive projects. These investments will result in more than 400 beds and shelter units throughout the Inland Empire.
“With the housing crisis threatening to push the American Dream out of reach, I’m committed to finding solutions to lower housing costs and ensuring that vulnerable communities have the resources they need to get back on their feet,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “Having access to vital services, such as counseling, job training, health services and child care can make a substantial difference in helping someone secure housing, and I will continue working to make sure that is accessible to everyone in our region.”
“We are deeply grateful for Representative Aguilar’s continued support,” said Maria Razo, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Country of San Bernardino. “The Community Project Funding secured by the Congressman in support of the Community Resource Center shows his commitment to the community, and will help us to bring additional resources to serve Arrowhead Grove and the surrounding neighborhoods.”
“Congressman Aguilar’s round table shines a much-needed light on the significant challenges and opportunities involved in addressing our housing shortage,” National CORE President Michael Ruane said. “We need to take a collective approach to this issue, and no one has been a stronger champion of this than the Congressman.”
Last year, Rep. Aguilar secured $3,000,000 to support the Arrowhead Grove housing community in providing sustainable affordable housing and supportive services in San Bernardino.
In 2022, Rep. Aguilar introduced the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act. The bill would create a five-year grant program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide yearly funding to affordable housing property owners for resident supportive services. These services include after-school programs, education opportunities for youth and adult residents, mental health and substance abuse treatment, elderly care, financial literacy training and more.
Photos and video from the press conference and roundtable are available here and here.