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.
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or [email protected].
*Please let us know if you are working on deadline.
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To view all of CLPHA's press statements, click here.
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
November 20, 2020
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 .
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
The Housing Is Initiative, led by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on Twitter @housing_is.
About The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s mission is to leverage the power of philanthropy to mobilize a full range of resources that strengthen the ability of communities to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur. CDP manages domestic and international Disaster Funds on behalf of corporations, foundations and individuals through targeted, holistic and localized grantmaking. For more information, visit: disasterphilanthropy.org, call (202) 464-2018 or tweet us @funds4disaster.
New Funds Will Develop and Sustain Public Housing Authority Initiatives to Improve Postsecondary Achievement for Low-Income Households
WASHINGTON (November 25, 2019) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, a housing advocacy organization and leader in efforts to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families, announced today that it has been awarded $300,000 from The Kresge Foundation to deepen connections between public housing authorities and their postsecondary education partners.
The three-year grant enables CLPHA to build on work that began last year, in partnership with The Kresge Foundation, to convene cross-sector housing and education partners who are collaborating to improve postsecondary achievement for students served by public housing authorities, including residents and housing insecure college students.
“Last year we showcased how these two sectors are working together to improve educational outcomes for low-income households. With generous funding from The Kresge Foundation, we will help more cross-sector partners develop and sustain their work,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “As a national organization representing 70 of the largest public housing authorities in the country, CLPHA is well-positioned to identify promising innovations and facilitate peer-learning among those doing the work with the goal to scale successful initiatives that can be replicated nationally. We are very grateful to The Kresge Foundation for its multi-year support of our work.”
With the funds, CLPHA, through its Housing Is Initiative, will establish a leadership institute for a cohort of public housing authority staff and their partners who demonstrate the experience and capacity for postsecondary collaboration. In addition to virtual meetings aimed at institutionalizing their cross-sector work, members of the cohort will travel for in-person site visits to learn about the different projects in the field.
“By supporting stronger partnerships between housing authorities and postsecondary stakeholders, CLPHA’s leadership institute will help increase college access and success for both public housing residents who have postsecondary aspirations but need support to realize their dreams, and current college students, whose housing insecurity threatens to derail their educational progress," said Bethany Miller, program officer with the Kresge Education Program.
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.
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
The Housing Is Initiative, led by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on Twitter @housing_is.
About The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit kresge.org.
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(Washington, D.C.) August 5, 2022 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program and the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program:
"The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) applauds the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program and the one-year Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program at its Open Commission Meeting today. CLPHA has worked closely with the FCC to help shape these programs through direct dialogue with members of Congress, the FCC, and submitted comments throughout the regulatory process. CLPHA has also been a long-time proponent for digital equity through working with partners, disseminating information via webinars, spotlighting promising practices at conferences, and conducting outreach on opportunities. Today is a strong step forward for serving low-income families living in assisted housing with improved access to high-quality, affordable broadband and devices.
"These initiatives will improve the Biden administration’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a $14 billion long-term initiative that offers up to $30 a month for the costs of internet service for eligible households and builds on the Emergency Broadband Benefit in order to provide more permanent assistance. Public housing authorities have long understood that digital access is critical to improve life outcomes for low-income families living in assisted housing and we are excited for additional support to get more assisted households connected.
"Public housing authorities offer the most effective avenue to connect the highest number of low-income families to broadband access and accomplish the goals of the Affordable Connectivity Program. At CLPHA’s 8th Annual Housing Is Summit in May, Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks noted this point in his keynote speech, 'When I look at the data where we can reach more vulnerable households…, I consistently come back to housing. I see a clear synergy between housing and connectivity; if we are helping a family secure housing, we should be able to help them secure an internet connection as well.'
"In May 2022 Commissioner Starks also visited Nickerson Gardens, a property of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), a CLPHA member. With 1,000 units, Nickerson Gardens is the largest public housing community west of the Mississippi River. He reported that the ACP Pilot Program had connected 78 percent of the Nickerson Garden units to the internet.
"During today’s open meeting, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also named CLPHA member the Jersey City Housing Authority (JCHA) and its executive director Vivian Brady-Phillips as an exemplary PHA working on digital inclusion. CLPHA highlighted both HACLA and JCHA during this year’s Housing Is Summit.
"The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program will provide eligible governmental and non-governmental entities with funding to conduct outreach to eligible low-income households in order to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program. The one-year Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program aims to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program among recipients of federal housing assistance and facilitate enrollment in the ACP by providing targeted assistance with the ACP application.
"CLPHA will work with its members to ensure they are taking advantage of these programs to help residents access not only to affordable, high-quality broadband and devices, but also digital literacy to utilize these resources."
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(Washington, D.C.) March 9, 2022 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement about the HUD budget in fiscal year 2022 spending omnibus package:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds the $4 billion increase in funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over last year in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 omnibus appropriations bill released last night. The increase amounts to $53.7 billion for HUD in this omnibus bill. "Subcommittee Chairman David Price and the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee recognized the critical role that public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers play with several funding increases. First, an expansion of up to 25,000 new incremental vouchers for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence and veterans as part of the $200 million increase in the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program. Second, the Project-Based Rental Assistance budget increase of $475 million over the FY 2021 budget will continue to safely house 1.2 million very low- and low-income households.
“For public housing a $645.5 million increase over FY 2021, including $3.2 billion to meet the full annual capital accrual need in order to improve the quality and safety of public housing for more than 2 million residents. Finally, the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative received an increase of $150 million above FY 2021, which represents a 75 percent increase. While America’s housing crisis continues, these funding increases recognize that public and affordable housing programs are the most effective way to keep low-income families housed.”
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(202) 550-1381
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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(Washington, D.C.) November 19, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement after the House passage of the Build Back Better Act today:
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of the $1.9 trillion Build Back Better Act. The $150 billion targeted to affordable housing is the single largest investment in public housing ever.
“Today represents a fundamental change in America’s approach to public and affordable housing. The Build Back Better Act is historic legislation that seeks to remedy two generations of chronic disinvestment that has left millions of public housing residents suffering and exacerbated health, safety, climate risks, and racial inequities. These long-term investments to public housing, along with significant expansion of rental and homeownership assistance, will increase housing stability, reduce poverty, provide substantial climate benefits, and spur economic activity that strengthens local communities.
“CLPHA is thankful the House continued to listen to housing advocates by re-inserting provisions that will strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit’s ability to better leverage the capital required to develop and redevelop aging public housing infrastructure.
“As the Act moves to the Senate, CLPHA will continue its work with Senators to ensure that the public and affordable housing funding levels remain intact in the Senate version.”
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About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quoted CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman in an article about the government shutdown's impacts on Section 8 Voucher holders if the shutdown continues beyond March 1.
Zaterman said, “Without a guarantee from HUD that funding will be available in March, many [public housing authorities] will need to notify landlords and residents next month that delayed payments are a possibility. Anxious residents and landlords fearful of missed payments, combined with other cascading impacts due to lack of staffing at HUD, including program grants not being renewed and affordable housing development deals not being approved, amount to an unmitigated disaster for millions of low-income families.”
Today, Gray News Bureau published a comprehensive article "SNAP, WIC, Section 8: Separating fact from fiction in the government shutdown" featuring a quote about the shutdown’s effects on HUD programs from CLPHA Executive Sunia Zaterman. Gray News pulled the quote from CLPHA’s January 16 joint press release with the Campaign for Housing & Community Development Funding (CHCDF), of which CLPHA is a member of the Steering Committee.
On the shutdown's effect on housing authorities' future rental assistance payments, Zaterman said, "Without a guarantee from HUD that funding will be available in March, many Public Housing Authorities will need to notify landlords and residents next month that delayed payments are a possibility. Anxious residents and landlords fearful of missed payments, combined with other cascading impacts due to lack of staffing at HUD, including program grants not being renewed and affordable housing development deals not being approved, amount to an unmitigated disaster for millions of low-income families.”
You can read the article via Gray News Bureau TV affiliates:
CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman spoke to the Pew Charitable Trust's Stateline blog about the looming crisis facing public housing authorities (PHAs) if the shutdown continues. In today's article "Cities Scramble as Shutdown Leaves Families in Federal Housing Vulnerable," Zaterman warned that if the shutdown is still in effect by the end of February, many PHAs will not have enough funds to continue rental assistance payments for March and beyond.
“It’s definitely an all-hands-on-deck, high-urgency red alert for agencies that don’t have sufficient reserves for a sufficient amount of time,” Zaterman said. “And most don’t.”
Pacific Standard quoted CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman in today's article "The Government Shutdown Could Decimate America's Subsidized Housing Programs." Of the partial government shutdown's impact on the housing market, Zaterman said, "Owners in many cities will be faced with financial disruption, foreclosure, or bankruptcy if they're not able to pay their mortgage or meet the other costs of the property... This really is going to ripple through the whole housing market system."
Zaterman added that the shutdown is likely to negatively impact landlords' perceptions of the HCV program and other federally funded rental assistance programs, observing that in light of the shutdown landlords may be discouraged from participating in the HCV program because now "[funding] is something an owner would have to calculate as a risk now that was previously not seen as a risk."
CLPHA’ Executive Director Sunia Zaterman spoke to Multi-Housing News about the disastrous effect the shutdown will have on not only on Housing Choice Voucher funding and other rental assistance programs, but also affordable housing projects, if it continues beyond February. Zaterman added that if the shutdown continues into March, for smaller landlords and property owners especially “there is a huge concern about the ripple effect and concerns about bankruptcy and foreclosure.”
However, as Zaterman noted in a January 16, 2019, joint press release accompanying a national conference call about the effects of the partial government shutdown on low-income people and communities and the affordable housing programs that serve them, the shutdown is already a catastrophe for millions who rely on HUD funding. “Anxious residents and landlords fearful of missed payments, combined with other cascading impacts due to lack of staffing at HUD, including program grants not being renewed and affordable housing development deals not being approved, amount to an unmitigated disaster for millions of low-income families,” said Zaterman.
From the Oakland Housing Authority's website:
The Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) recently welcomed Zac Unger, who represents District 1 on the Oakland City Council, for a tour of OHA properties and initiatives serving residents across the district.
The visit provided an opportunity for Councilmember Unger to learn more about OHA’s work to preserve affordable housing, support residents, and strengthen neighborhoods throughout Oakland. The tour was tailored specifically to highlight properties and programs located in District 1.
During the visit, OHA staff shared how the organization works to maintain and improve housing while ensuring long-term affordability for Oakland residents. The tour also offered an opportunity to discuss how OHA and the City can continue working together to support housing stability and community wellbeing.
Councilmember Unger expressed interest in identifying additional ways the City of Oakland and OHA can collaborate in the future to address housing needs and support residents across District 1.
OHA leadership welcomed the conversation and looks forward to continuing the dialogue with Councilmember Unger and City partners about opportunities to strengthen housing and services for Oakland families.
From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA):
CNN’s recent segment on unhoused veterans in Los Angeles highlights the critical importance of coordinated, housing‑first strategies — and showcases why HACLA’s work matters. The report underscores how veterans benefit when local agencies, the VA, and service providers align around permanent housing solutions and supportive services.
For HACLA, the story reinforces the momentum already underway: expanding affordable housing opportunities, accelerating veteran voucher placements, and strengthening cross‑agency partnerships that help veterans move from encampments into stable homes. The segment serves as a reminder that when housing resources and supportive services come together, Los Angeles can deliver real, lasting progress for those who served our country.
Last month, HACLA President & CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez appeared on FOX 11's Good Day LA to discuss the House Our Vets Initiative, a collaboration with Mayor Karen Bass to get homeless veterans off the street and into stable housing. She speaks on the success of the initiative thus far, and answers questions, concerns and more.
From the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority:
For many students, Spring Break is a time to unplug for a week. But from April 6-10, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is presenting its youth residents with different opportunities to be active and thrive.
This year, NRHA is pairing a sports-inspired Spring Break Sports Jam, which blends high-energy athletic programming with a high-tech STEM Boot Camp designed to keep students engaged and focused on the future.
The Sports Jam week kicks off with a heavy emphasis on community and movement with a football clinic on Monday, April 6, followed by a kick-ball tournament on Tuesday, April 7. Both events will be at the Calvert Square Envision Center from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
NRHA Youth Services Specialist Breion Taylor said the football clinic will feature structured skills and drills sessions led by local coaches from the Community 1st organization. These partners are coming out to mentor the youth, focusing on teamwork and athletic fundamentals.
Taylor is hopeful the tournament, and all the events, will foster stronger bonds between the community’s generations and the agency.
“Depending on turnout, we’d like to get some kids versus adults games going,” Taylor said. “And it would be funny to get some NRHA staff to go against some youth – it’s something everyone is looking forward to.”
Another event the agency has been intentional about planning is the Southside Field Day at Diggs Town on Thursday, April 9. Far from a typical park outing, Duane Rollins, another youth services specialist, explained that the Field Day will comprise of many retro games and activities, such as bean-bag tossing, three-legged races and a dunking booth.
“We’ve got a whole lot of different ideas to make it fun for the kids,” Rollins said.
The Spring Break Sports Jam week concludes with a Sneaker Ball on Friday, April 10 from 5-8 p.m. Youth are encouraged to dress to impress, following the night’s theme of Fresh Fits, Fresh Kicks.
“We’ll have a DJ and photo opportunities for the kids,” Rollins added. “And there will be different prizes for best sneakers and best dance.”
While the fields are buzzing with sports, another group of students will be embarking on the academic arm of the week – a STEM Boot Camp, in partnership with Community Outreach Coalition, Inc., and Coastal Virginia STEM Ecosystem.
NRHA Youth Programs Manager, Tashonna Thorne, said the program is designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.
“The first day will be a learning day at the Calvert Square Envision Center with our partners,” said Thorne, adding that represented fields include healthcare, engineering, computer science and STEM-focused skilled trades. “However, the exciting part will be when the students head out on field trips.”
Students will travel to the Tidewater Community College (TCC) Apprenticeship Program Skilled Trades campus in Portsmouth, the TCC Norfolk campus and Old Dominion University. There, participants will receive a front-row seat for modern apprenticeship programs and technical training facilities.
The goal is to demystify high-tech career paths. By visiting local campuses and seeing apprenticeship programs in action, NRHA youth get an early look at the certifications and skills required for the rapidly changing job market, Thorne said.
NRHA Vice President of Client Services, Julius Norman, said the agency’s goal is widespread engagement for all its spring break offerings.
“By providing a safe, structured environment throughout the day, the agency ensures that the fun of Spring Break also serves a functional purpose,” he said. “That purpose is building resilience and showing students what they can achieve.
From the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino's newsletter:
Liberty Lane, a new affordable housing community in Redlands dedicated to serving veterans and individuals with special needs, began leasing to new residents in January. The development features 80 affordable apartment homes, including 62 permanent supportive housing units specifically reserved for homeless and at-risk veterans.
These homes will provide long-term stability combined with comprehensive supportive services designed to promote housing retention, wellness and self-sufficiency.
Developed by A Community of Friends in partnership with the San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing Department, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB), the Department of Behavioral Health, the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, and U.S. VETS, Liberty Lane reflects strong collaboration across agencies committed to serving those who have served our country. Residents will benefit from high-quality, affordable housing and on-site case management, and clinical services.
HACSB Deputy Executive Director Rishad Mitha praised the success of the new community: “This development is a testament to what can be accomplished when mission-driven partners come together. Working alongside A Community of Friends, San Bernardino County, the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, and U.S. VETS, Liberty Lane demonstrates how coordinated housing development and supportive services can create much- needed affordable housing for veterans. With the occupancy of Liberty Lane, our veterans now have a place to call home and access to supportive services that promote health, stability, and independence."