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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
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Web tool targets idea-sharing and improves cross-sector
collaboration to help low-income families
April 22, 2021
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
April 9, 2021
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
March 31, 2021 |
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(Washington, D.C.) March 31, 2021 – Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, released the following statement upon President Biden’s announcement of the American Jobs Plan:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds President Biden’s transformative American Jobs Plan to reimagine and rebuild the American economy by centering housing as key to accomplishing the administration’s top priorities of economic impact, racial equity, and climate change. The $213 billion to produce, preserve, and retrofit more than one million housing units, with $40 billion targeted at the long-neglected public housing capital needs, is the size and scale that can move the needle on improving public housing infrastructure. CLPHA has called for a 10-year road map to recapitalize the public housing portfolio.
“The centrality of public and affordable housing means its impact reaches beyond shelter. It is also critical to other key elements of the American jobs plan including expanding broadband, improving childcare, and increasing health care opportunities. Public housing authorities are the most efficient delivery mechanism for these critical services because of their understanding of local needs, especially the needs of underserved communities of color. Public housing authorities stand ready to implement the bill when it becomes law.
CLPHA will work closely with Congress to ensure that the housing provisions are fully funded and remain central to the bill.”
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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Of the complex’s 68 units, 34 are funded by Section 8 project-based vouchers, and 15 of those apartments are set aside for individuals with disabilities. The construction of Key’s Pointe Residences is part of HABC’s massive revitalization plan for Baltimore’s O’Donnell Heights neighborhood.
At the CLPHA Fall Meeting earlier this month, Bruce Katz, former Centennial Scholar at the Brookings Institution and founding Director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program,discussed how housing authorities, cities, and other stakeholders can seize the opportunity of the new Opportunity Zone tax incentives. Below is additional information and resources for CLPHA members on Opportunity Zones, including a CLPHA analysis of public housing developments in Opportunity Zones for members and a policy prospectus from Katz on how to best leverage these new tax incentives.
Background
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 established the new tax incentive, which will
“Allow any taxpayer to defer paying tax on capital gains from the sale of property if those gains are timely invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds, which in turn must invest 90% of its assets in businesses located or property used in a low-income community. If investors invest for ten years, they also pay no capital gains tax on the appreciation on that investment.”
Following the establishment of the tax incentives, U.S. governors designated more than 8,700 “Opportunity Zones” in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; many overlap with locations where CLPHA members have public housing communities. Opportunity Zone incentives are unique because they rely on individual investment decisions instead of government distributions, can be utilized for all manner of projects (residential, commercial, industrial, or infrastructure), are not contingent upon pre-specified outcomes or metrics for success, and there is no cap to the amount of benefits investors can receive.
Current Status
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released a notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of a public hearing on Investing in Qualified Opportunity Zones. There are two provisions related to housing in the proposed rule: a working capital safe harbor for the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of property for up to 31 months and also a provision stating that the basis attributable to land will not be taken into account when determining whether the building has been substantially improved. According to the rule, excluding the basis of land will help facilitate the repurposing of vacant buildings in Qualified Opportunity Zones.
CLPHA will be reviewing the proposed rule to understand how PHAs can take advantage of Opportunity Zones to further local housing goals. Comments on the notice are due December 28 and the public hearing will be held on January 10, 2019.
Resources for Members
CLPHA Analysis of Members in Opportunity Zones: Using the list of designated Qualified Opportunity Zones and HUD data on public housing buildings, CLPHA performed a comparison analysis to determine which public housing buildings are located in designated Opportunity Zones. We found that 57 CLPHA members had at least one public housing building in a qualified Opportunity Zone. In the attached spreadsheet, you can find a full list of properties, including census tract and geographic data, located in Opportunity Zones, as well as a quick-glance table that lists the housing authority and property development name. Click here to download CLPHA’s Analysis from our Dropbox.
Policy Brief – From Transactions to Transformation: How Cities Can Maximize Opportunities –Bruce Katz and Evan Weiss: This brief details a vision for the potential economic and social outcomes of the Opportunity Zone tax incentives and offers ten steps for cities to leverage local resources in order to take advantage of them. Download the brief from Drexel’s website.
Additional Resources:
Opportunity Fund Directory: The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) has released this new online resource that provides descriptions and contact information for publicly-announced Opportunity Funds. View the Directory on NCSHA’s website.
Opportunity Zone Explorer: Enterprise Community Partners has created this mapping tool to help those interested in opportunity zones determine which tracts in their regions have been designated and how they related to other federal programs. Use the Opportunity Zone Explorer on the Enterprise website.
The Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) were recognized for their work in addressing homelessness among community college students and other barriers to higher education in a recent article for Inside Higher Ed. THA’s College Housing Assistance Program began in 2014 in response to rising rents in Tacoma and Pierce Counties. High rates of homelessness among Tacoma Community College students created opportunities for partnership between the College and THA, which now serves 150 students — many of whom have children of their own — who are homeless and near homeless. With the help of a housing voucher and additional financial aid, students are able to continue pursuing their degrees.
CHA is taking a slightly different approach to a similar problem. In working with City Colleges of Chicago through a program known as Partners in Education, the housing authority covers tuition and other fees for residents. Over 600 CHA residents are currently enrolled in Chicago’s community colleges, and while many receive federal and state financial aid, additional assistance from the housing authority ensures continued enrollment. As Moving to Work (MTW) agencies, both THA and CHA are able to engage in postsecondary partnerships as a result of program flexibility.
THA and CHA will further discuss these partnerships with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, and Louisville Metro Housing Authority at a postsecondary convening co-sponsored by CLPHA, Housing Is, and Kresge next month. CLPHA looks forward to discussing how initiatives like these can be replicated and brought to scale across the country.
Hunt Capital Partners has provided $4.2 million in capital federal LIHTC equity financing for Rhododendron Place, a future 30-unit Vancouver, WA housing community funded in part by the Vancouver Housing Authority. Rhododendron Place will house individuals experiencing homelessness with behavioral health disorders or mental disabilities and offer related supportive services.
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) and partners held a groundbreaking ceremony for Pacifica at Playa Del Sol, a future community of 42 affordable rental apartments, 12 of which will be set aside for individuals and families with developmental disabilities. SDHC contributed $10.8 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds towards the project, which is expected to cost $17.3 million.
From the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority's press release:
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), alongside The Community Builders (TCB), the City of Cleveland, and project partners, officially celebrated the grand opening of Woodhill Station East on May 15. This milestone marks the completion of the third phase and the final off-site component of the Buckeye-Woodhill Choice Transformation.
The comprehensive redevelopment plan is transforming the former 1930s era Woodhill Homes into a modern, vibrant neighborhood. Supported by a $35 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant awarded in 2021, as well as a $10 million supplemental grant in 2023, the multi-phase initiative will ultimately deliver approximately 638 new homes and public amenities to the Buckeye-Woodhill community.
“The opening of Woodhill Station East marks a key moment in the Buckeye-Woodhill Choice Transformation,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, Chief Executive Officer of CMHA. “The first three phases have already begun to reshape how residents experience their community, bringing new, high-quality homes and laying foundations for retail opportunities.”
Located at the corner of Buckeye Road and Woodhill Road, this newest phase adds 64 high-quality rental homes to the neighborhood, featuring 54 affordable apartments and 10 market-rate units for individuals and families. The building also includes commercial space designed to host up to three local retail tenants.
Residents of Woodhill Station East will enjoy a full suite of modern community amenities, including a fitness center, lounges, a community room, landscaped greenspace, and an outdoor patio for gatherings. Additionally, all units are pre-wired for low-cost, high-speed internet service through Digital-C, virtually connecting residents to education and employment opportunities.
The transit-oriented development is conveniently situated near public transportation, providing easy access to jobs and amenities. To ensure long-term resident success, TCB Community Life case managers will be based on-site to provide supportive programming in workforce development, asset building, youth development, education, and health and wellness.
“Woodhill Station East represents the future of equitable development in Cleveland,” added Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “This project is another major step forward in the transformation of Buckeye-Woodhill and reflects what’s possible when strong public, private, and community partners come together around a shared vision.”
From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
Her exceptional, person-centered public service throughout her career earned San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) President and CEO Lisa Jones the John Craven Public Service Memorial Ruby Award on the same night that three SDHC collaborative developments that produced more than 400 affordable rental homes also received recognition from the San Diego Housing Federation.
“These awards are a product of the leadership and commitment of our City Council, Mayor, and Board of Commissioners; the outstanding work of our staff and community partners; and our shared focus on the needs of the people we serve,” SDHC President and CEO Jones said. “We thank the San Diego Housing Federation for recognizing these efforts and congratulate our development partners and all who were nominated and honored with Ruby Awards this year.”
The San Diego Housing Federation’s annual Ruby Awards recognize excellence in affordable housing and community development in the San Diego region.
Through the John Craven Public Service Memorial Ruby Award, the San Diego Housing Federation honored Ms. Jones for her leadership in expanding access and opportunity for the individuals and families SDHC serves, her work to strengthen SDHC’s connection to the community as a trusted, collaborative partner, and several initiatives she has led. These include her leadership of SDHC’s swift response in the aftermath of the catastrophic floods in January 2024 to assist hundreds of families displaced from their homes. City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee presented the award.
Additional Ruby Awards presented this year recognized affordable rental housing developments to which SDHC awarded financing and/or rental housing vouchers that made the projects possible.
Project of the Year – New Construction (90 or more units)
The Harrington Heights development by Chelsea Investment Corporation produced 270 new affordable rental homes for San Diegans with very low income (25 percent to 50 percent of the Area Median Income) or experiencing homelessness. Forty apartments are set aside for individuals with developmental disabilities. SDHC awarded 115 federal rental housing vouchers to help many Harrington Heights residents pay their rent, with 75 housing vouchers designated for households that experienced homelessness (including 10 for veterans) and 40 housing vouchers assisting households with extremely low income that have not experienced homelessness. SDHC also awarded an $8 million loan to support the development, consisting of federal and City funds that SDHC administers: federal HOME Investment Partnership Programs that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards to the City of San Diego and the City’s Affordable Housing Fund.
Project of the Year – New Construction (Less than 90 units)
Community HousingWorks developed Jacaranda on Ninth to create 87 new affordable rental homes for San Diegans with very low income (25 percent to 40 percent of the Area Median Income) or experiencing homelessness. SDHC awarded 14 housing vouchers to the development that are set aside for San Diegans who experienced chronic homelessness and 73 for residents with extremely low income, but who did not experience homelessness. SDHC also awarded a loan of up to $5 million toward the development, consisting of funding from the HUD HOME program, the City Affordable Housing Fund and the State of California’s Local Housing Trust Fund. Financing also included SDHC’s authorization of $21.2 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds and $10.2 million in taxable bonds, which the City Council approved in its role as the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego. Private sources of funds, such as revenue from the development, are used to repay the bonds. SDHC, the City of San Diego and the Housing Authority of the City of San Diego are not financially liable for these bonds.
Project of the Year – Rehabilitation
Developed by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation and Housing Innovation Partners, Serenade on 43rd created more than 40 new affordable rental homes and rehabilitated 20 existing naturally occurring affordable housing units, adding requirements that they remain affordable for 55 years. A stylish, art-inspired development that blends seamlessly into a bustling City Heights neighborhood near transit, Serenade provides affordable rental homes for 64 families with low income, of which 32 families previously experienced homelessness. SDHC awarded 32 rental housing vouchers to help pay rent for residents who previously experienced homelessness. SDHC also supported the development with a $2 million loan, consisting of funds from the HUD HOME program and the City’s Affordable Housing Fund.
Additional Ruby Awards honorees included several individuals who have a positive impact on affordable housing and its residents, including Simonne Ruff, Director of the San Diego/Orange County program for Corporation for Supportive Housing, who earned the Housing Champion award. The awards program stated, “Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to maximizing housing as a critical social determinant of health, with a driving passion for creating opportunities to thrive.”
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We are pleased to congratulate eleven CLPHA members who received FY25 Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Service Coordinator (ROSS-SC) grants:
These awards will place service coordinators directly in communities to support residents in reaching their goals on the path to self-sufficiency and economic independence. HUD announced $37 million of ROSS program funding to 114 organizations nationwide, following a delay in the FY25 NOFO and subsequent award announcement.
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From the Los Angeles County Development Authority:
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) and the Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation (LACDF) proudly awarded scholarships to students in the LACDA’s Public Housing and Section 8 Programs. The Resident Scholarship Program accepted scholarship applications in November and recently awarded five students with a $1,000 scholarship to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education. Scholarship recipients are either currently attending or will be enrolled at Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Habor College, and the Universal Technical Institute.
The Resident Scholarship is awarded by the LACDF, a nonprofit organization created to inspire and provide positive life-changing opportunities to the LACDA’s Public Housing residents and Section 8 participants. All high school and college students living in a County Public Housing or Section 8 household, are encouraged to apply. These scholarship opportunities provide recipients with financial support to ease their college experience and cover costs to avoid debt. Scholarships are provided by the generous donations of donors such as Edison International, California Community Foundation, and LACDA employees.
“The Resident Scholarship Program celebrates the hard work and bright futures of students in our Public Housing and Section 8 Programs striving to continue their higher education,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “Through our partnership with the LACDF, residents are provided with resources and support to dream big, reach their goals, and succeed.”
From the Los Angeles County Development Authority:
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) and the Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation (LACDF) proudly awarded scholarships to students in the LACDA’s Public Housing and Section 8 Programs. The Resident Scholarship Program accepted scholarship applications in November and recently awarded five students with a $1,000 scholarship to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education. Scholarship recipients are either currently attending or will be enrolled at Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Habor College, and the Universal Technical Institute.
The Resident Scholarship is awarded by the LACDF, a nonprofit organization created to inspire and provide positive life-changing opportunities to the LACDA’s Public Housing residents and Section 8 participants. All high school and college students living in a County Public Housing or Section 8 household, are encouraged to apply. These scholarship opportunities provide recipients with financial support to ease their college experience and cover costs to avoid debt. Scholarships are provided by the generous donations of donors such as Edison International, California Community Foundation, and LACDA employees.
“The Resident Scholarship Program celebrates the hard work and bright futures of students in our Public Housing and Section 8 Programs striving to continue their higher education,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “Through our partnership with the LACDF, residents are provided with resources and support to dream big, reach their goals, and succeed.”