CLPHA Press Room

From ABC 13 News Norfolk:

 A sweeping transformation is underway in the heart of Norfolk. The former Tidewater Gardens public housing community, a product of 1950s-era planning, is being reimagined as Kindred, a resilient, mixed-income neighborhood focused just as much on people as it is on place.

At the center of this effort is the St. Paul’s Transformation Project, a collaboration between the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Officials say this is not simply a housing redevelopment, it’s a reinvestment in lives.

“This project is about parallel efforts of both people and place,” said Susan Perry, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Norfolk. “We’re not just redesigning a neighborhood—we’re investing in the people who call it home.”

That investment comes through the city’s People First program, a hallmark of the project designed to provide wraparound support to residents. From career and education coaching to housing stability, dental care and wellness services, the goal is long-term empowerment.

The city allocates $3 million annually to fund the program. As needs evolve, the services adapt. When residents expressed a need for dental care, the city introduced a mobile dental van to provide on-site treatment. “Anytime we’ve needed to invest in residents, we’ve done that,” Perry said. “And the outcomes have been really great—income among participating families has nearly doubled.”

Read ABC 13 News' article "Norfolk’s Kindred community rises from the legacy of Tidewater Gardens."

From The Journal News:

A decade-long redevelopment for a blighted public housing complex has entered its final stages.

On June 25, city officials broke ground on the final phase of transforming the former Cottage Place Gardens public housing complex.

Willow at the Ridgeway, an eight-story senior housing development at 23 Bishop W.J. Walls Place, will include 92 units designated for seniors on the city’s section 8 waitlist.

Amenities are to include free internet, air-conditioning, energy-efficient appliances, laundry rooms on each floor, a community room, fitness center, raised garden beds, a bocce court and a resident terrace with seating and a solar canopy.

Construction is expected to be completed in October 2026.

The development marks the final step in a six-phase revitalization of a public housing complex originally built in 1945. The master plan, first outlined 15 years ago, aims to replace the old structures with modern housing located close to the downtown Yonkers waterfront district.  

Read The Journal News' article "Yonkers' 92-unit senior housing development will conclude long rebuild of public housing."

From the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura's press release:

The Valentine Road Apartments unveiled the first of its newly renovated units during a progress celebration at the largest Homekey initiative in Ventura County, marking a major milestone in the region’s efforts to address homelessness through permanent supportive housing.

Led by the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB), the Valentine Road Apartments are the result of a $32 million Homekey award secured in 2023 through the California Department of Housing and Community Development. That funding marked the largest Homekey grant in both City and County history and initiated the conversion of the 142-room hotel into 134 studio apartments for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“This is what transformation looks like,” said Jeffrey Lambert, Executive Director, HACSB. “From vision to action, this project reflects what’s possible when we work together with urgency, compassion, and shared purpose. We’re not just building housing—we’re building opportunity, stability, and hope."

As of this month, 63 apartments are ready for residents to move in. Construction is underway on the remaining units, with full project completion expected by January 2026. In addition to safe, dignified housing, residents will benefit from on-site supportive services coordinated by HACSB, Ventura County Behavioral Health, and other local providers. These services include case management, mental health resources, and employment support designed to promote long-term stability.

“For a street that’s named for love, the Valentine Road housing project is a powerful reminder that Ventura leads with heart, for our neighbors, for our unhoused community members, and for those seeking a fresh start,” said Mayor Dr. Jeannette Sanchez Palacios. “This project is about belonging."

We were thrilled to present our first $2.5 million distribution from the Encampment Resolution Funding grant,” said Leona Rollins, Housing Services Manager for the City of Ventura. “This investment marks a meaningful step in turning policy into action and reinforces our commitment to converting emergency resources into long-term housing, especially for those transitioning out of encampments in the Ventura River bottom and surrounding areas."

The milestone was celebrated at the Valentine Road site, where local, state, and funding partners gathered to mark the project’s progress. Leaders, including HACSB CEO Jeff Lambert, Supervisor Matt LaVere, the Governor’s office, state housing officials, Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Councilmember Jim Duran, and project funders shared remarks. Resident James Workman also shared a powerful story about how stable housing has transformed his life, and the life of his loyal companion, Sargent, his Doberman.

“With the progress of the Valentine Road Apartments, we mark a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to combat homelessness in Ventura County,” said Ventura County District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere. “Hundreds of lives are being transformed, with impacts likely to span generations for the people who will call this place home. This sustainable housing solution exemplifies our commitment to addressing homelessness through comprehensive, collaborative efforts, by providing not just shelter, but a foundation for lasting change."

Through a mix of grants, loans, and service funding totaling more than $15 million, the County is helping ensure this development delivers lasting stability for our most vulnerable residents.

The project has been made possible through collaboration with multiple public and private entities, including the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Enterprise Community Partners, JP Morgan Chase Bank, the Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, the County of Ventura, and the City of Ventura, with HACSB leading the development and service coordination.

From DigitalC's press release:

Today, DigitalC announced it has connected its 5,000th household to high-speed home internet, marking a historic milestone in Cleveland's transformation from one of the worst-connected large cities in the country to a national model for broadband access.

"It's hard to overstate how special this moment is — for our team, for our city and for the thousands of families now connected," said Joshua Edmonds, chief executive officer at DigitalC. "This is what transformation looks like. Today, 5,000 homes are online with state-of-the-art connectivity — and that's thanks to the trust of our residents, the commitment of our team and the generous support of our funders and partners."

The milestone was achieved as part of the Pinnacle Cleveland Initiative, a four-year plan launched in January 2024 to expand internet access citywide — particularly in neighborhoods long underserved by traditional providers. The 5,000th connection was celebrated with a surprise visit to a Fairfax resident in Cleveland's Ward 6, complete with a visit from DigitalC's chief executive officer, a certificate and tokens of appreciation.

"Broadband is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity for work, learning and health care," said Cleveland City Council President Blaine A. Griffin. "We need to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. I'm thrilled to see a Ward 6 neighbor now online with affordable internet access!"

Since January 2024, DigitalC has rapidly deployed next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology across the city. Historically, Cleveland has ranked as one of the worst-connected large cities in the United States, according to the 2019 American Community Survey. At that time, nearly 31% of households lacked broadband access, and nearly 46% had no wired internet connection.

"Today, we celebrate a milestone in our mission to close the digital divide in Cleveland," said Ricardo Reinoso, digital adoption manager at City of Cleveland. "DigitalC's 5,000th household isn't just a number — it's a neighbor who now has the tools to learn, work, connect and thrive in the 21st century. This partnership between the city of Cleveland and DigitalC proves what's possible when we invest in bold, community-driven solutions."

The service, Canopy, Powered by DigitalC, offers 100/100 Mbps symmetrical internet for $18 per month — or 200/100 Mbps at no cost to households with Cleveland Metropolitan School District students. In parallel, DigitalC provides free digital skills training, reaching more than 10,000 Clevelanders within 18 months.

DigitalC is driving success through a coalition that includes the City of Cleveland, Cleveland City Council, the State of Ohio, and key partners such as the Mandel Foundation, Gund Foundation, Microsoft Airband, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

"This work is taking Cleveland from worst to first in connectivity," Edmonds said. "And we're just getting started."