CLPHA Press Room

From Next City:

Boston is racing to decarbonize its public housing by 2030. The latest tool it’s deploying to reach that goal? Window-straddling heat pumps.

Last week, the Boston Housing Authority announced that it’s piloting the electric technology at Hassan Apartments, a 50-year-old public housing community with 100 units for older people and adults with disabilities. The modular appliances, made by California-based startup Gradient, plug into a typical 120-volt wall outlet and will replace the apartments’ outdated, much less efficient electric-resistance system.

“We believe that low-income people and the families and individuals who live in our buildings deserve access to 21st-century technologies and home comforts, just like anyone else out there,” said Joel Wool, the agency’s deputy administrator for sustainability and capital transformation. ​“We’re also doing our part to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.”

The Boston Housing Authority has ordered about 100 window heat pumps for the project. Two other Massachusetts housing agencies are also piloting Gradient’s appliances, the company announced last week: the Chelsea Housing Authority, which is testing about 400 heat pumps, and the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development, which is trying out roughly 200 heat pumps, about half of which are already installed.

Read Next City's article.

From Alaska Public Media:

An organization dedicated to housing Alaskans has purchased more than 600 acres of university land across the state for future residential projects.

Daniel Delfino, with the Alaska Housing Finance Corp., said housing is tight all around Alaska. The idea, he said, is to jump-start development in a way the organization and others hope to replicate in the future.

“You can think about it as money that the private sector or another person doesn't have to come up with,” he said. “That's what we're bringing to the table. It's going to make housing go up in communities that probably wouldn't otherwise see it.”

The organization used a combination of state and federal funds to buy the land from the University of Alaska. The $12.3 million purchase includes parcels in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Palmer and Wasilla, plus funding to develop land in Cordova.

The next step is to work with local governments and other organizations to figure out the best way to develop the land, said AHFC CEO Bryan Butcher. He said those projects could take many different forms including partnerships with local and tribal governments, regional housing authorities and the private sector. They could be funded through various mechanisms, such as municipal bonds, tax credits, loans, grants and anticipated rent.

Read Alaska Public Media's article. 

From the Housing Authority of Baltimore City's press release:

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joined the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) alongside its development partners, The Michaels Organization and Affordable Homes & Communities of Greater Baltimore (AHC), to break ground on the second phase of Keys Pointe, a $36 million affordable housing development in southeast Baltimore.

“Today’s groundbreaking proves what’s possible when the City and our partners work together toward a shared vision of affordable housing for all. This is a critical milestone for Keys Pointe, a project that embodies our commitment to making sure every Baltimore resident has access to a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home,” said Mayor Scott.

Other dignitaries who joined to celebrate the start of this latest phase of the multi-phased revitalization of the O’Donnell Heights public housing community included Maryland State Senate President William Ferguson, Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen, and Julia Glanz, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

“HABC believes every Baltimore resident deserves access to high-quality, affordable housing in communities that uplift and empower them. Key's Pointe is a powerful example of what we can achieve through partnerships and perseverance. This next phase reflects our continued commitment to transforming O’Donnell Heights into a vibrant, inclusive neighborhood where residents have real opportunities to succeed,” said Janet Abrahams, President & CEO of HABC.

This newest community will offer 60 affordable apartments, with floorplans that range from one- to four-bedroom apartments, spread across nine, two-story, townhouse-style buildings. Residents will have access to Key’s Pointe shared amenities, including community spaces, an outdoor fitness circuit, and two playgrounds. This redevelopment is the start of phase two and ties into the overall four-phase master plan.

In addition to the apartment homes, this phase includes new public and private infrastructure, including three new public roads with on-street parking for residents and guests, as well as accessible sidewalks. In addition, an existing bus stop adjacent to the development will be upgraded with a new concrete island to enhance convenience and safety for riders.

“It has been our privilege to be the Housing Authority’s partner, whose vision for this critical redevelopment effort has been unwavering,” said Michaels Senior Vice President Jonathan Lubonski. “We are also grateful for the strong support of not only the city’s political leaders, but also many other local stakeholders, including the current and former residents of O’Donnell Heights.”

"We are thrilled to break ground on a new phase of Key's Pointe and bring much-needed new housing to Baltimore City and Maryland," said AHC's Vice President of Real Estate Development Mary Claire Davis. "This project reflects our long-standing commitment to O'Donnell Heights, and we're honored to work with our partners to create quality, affordable homes where families can build their futures and thrive."

Financing for Keys Pointe 2A included $13.5 million in private equity raised through the sale of federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and $8.2 million from Freddie Mac as a first mortgage. Berkadia syndicated the tax credits, which were invested in by Truist. HABC provided $7.7 million Moving to Work funds, while Baltimore City provided $2.9 million in ARPA and $1 million in DHCD Affordable Housing Trust fund dollars. Maryland Community Development Administration issued tax-exempt bonds.

Additional members of the development team include Bozzuto Construction, which is serving as the General Contractor. Moseley Architects provided planning and architectural services and Morris Ritchie Associates provided civil engineering services.

From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) recently acquired the 154-unit Emerald Apartments, furthering its mission to expand the supply of affordable housing in the City of Los Angeles. Building on the success of prior acquisitions such as Clarendon Apartments, HACLA is again leveraging innovative financing structures and partnerships to deliver affordability at scale and with speed. 

This acquisition will utilize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Restore-Rebuild Program to bring deep affordability with federal rental subsidies. For Emerald Apartments, 24% of the units will be set aside for households with incomes at or below 30% and 50% of AMI. HACLA will restrict the balance of the formerly market rate units upon natural unit turnover to households between 60% and 120% AMI, at rents no more than 30% of a household’s adjusted income, guaranteeing long term affordability. 

“With strong demand for low-cost housing in our city, we laser-focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing and the Emerald represents another step in our comprehensive strategy,” said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, President & CEO of HACLA. “We are grateful to our partners at City National Bank and HUD for their collaboration, ensuring that more families can access safe, stable, and affordable housing.” 

The transaction was closed utilizing funding from City National Bank, and permanent financing will be taken out in 2026.  Households that qualify based on income will benefit from reduced rents as vacant units will be leased to households at affordable levels ranging from 30% to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). Six accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and 2,400 square feet of community-serving retail space will be constructed in the coming months.   

“This creative partnership is just another example of HACLA’s innovative approach to increasing affordable housing in Los Angeles,” said HACLA Board Chair Cielo Castro. “This acquisition addresses the urgent need for so many Los Angeles families, and we look forward to building on it in the future.”  

“The Emerald acquisition is about protecting our neighborhoods and ensuring working-class Angelenos have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Council District 14. “By preserving affordability in existing communities, we are keeping families together, preventing displacement, and building a Los Angeles where every family can thrive.” 

Built in 2023, Emerald is located within the South Park neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, near Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Convention Center, transit, employment centers, and retail shopping. It includes a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, and a range of amenities for residents, including a pool, an exercise facility, a community room, and a structured parking deck. The affordable restrictions will be achieved as units turn over, ensuring that no family is displaced.  

HACLA purchased the property for approximately $322,665 per unit, inclusive of the ADUs, in alignment with its goals to use public resources as efficiently as possible and to recycle capital in the development market. HACLA closed the transaction after 98 days, once again demonstrating its capacity and commitment to fast execution and to being a best-in-class partner for private sector developers in Los Angeles. Blake Rogers of JLL Capital Markets represented the seller in the transaction. 

HACLA has emerged as one of the largest buyers of multifamily properties in the City of Los Angeles, closing on nearly 40 acquisition transactions with more than 2,750 units in the last four years. The majority of those units are being utilized as permanent supportive housing for families and individuals who were experiencing or were at risk of homelessness.  

HACLA is also actively engaged in the redevelopment of its traditional public housing across the City to create models of social housing for the future, with major investments in South Los Angeles, East Los Angeles and Downtown. HACLA frequently partners with for-profit and non-profit development partners and is an active issuer of tax-exempt governmental and private activity bonds to support affordable housing development and acquisition. 

From the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's press release:

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) has once again delivered a W.O.W. factor to its tenants, stakeholders, and the community that will further its mission to serve as a path to launch for its residents and improve the quality of life for all City of Pittsburgh citizens.

On July 25, 2025, during a visit from HUD Secretary Scott Turner and U.S. Senator David McCormick (R-PA), the HACP unveiled its newest fleet member — the Workforce on Wheels (W.O.W.) CyberBus 2.0. 

This innovative one-stop shop will deliver countless employment opportunities to HACP residents where they are, as well as serve the Greater Pittsburgh Region.

In just five years, the HACP Resident Employment Program has assisted more than 780 residents in gaining meaningful training, skills, and wraparound services to obtain sustainable employment. The new CyberBus will help to expand these services.

More than 100 HACP residents have found employment so far in 2025, both through the organization’s Family Self-Sufficiency and Section 3 Employment programs. 

Through the Workforce on Wheels initiative, residents can access personalized resume assistance, digital literacy support, job readiness training, and direct pathways to employment in high-demand fields such as construction trades and commercial driving  — right at their doorstep.

The CyberBus 2.0 is possible thanks to federal Moving to Work funds, as well as collaborations with community partners Literacy Pittsburgh, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania, PNC Bank, Dress for Success, and CVS Health/Ebenezer Outreach Ministries. Announced in August 2025, the project received a $20,000 PNC Foundation grant that will help offset operational costs.

“The CyberBus 2.0 allows us to meet people where they’re at to provide them opportunities for employment,” explained Lloyd C. Wilson Jr., HACP Resident Sustainability Manager. “CyberBus 2.0 is strengthened by strategic partnerships with key regional organizations. These collaborations enhance the program’s ability to serve residents holistically and sustainably.”

The new bus has been added to the HACP’s Digital Literacy Initiatives mobile rotation, and joins the HACP’s WiFi on Wheels (W.O.W.) CyberBus on the road.

“Workforce development is paramount to what we do as a Housing Authority,” said HACP Executive Direct Caster D. Binion. “We’re committed to removing any and every potential hurdle for our residents during their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.”