CLPHA Advocacy

CLPHA supports the nation’s largest and most innovative housing authorities by advocating for the resources and policies they need to solve local housing challenges and create communities of opportunity. We frequently champion our members' issues, needs, and successes on the Hill, at HUD, and in the media. In these arenas CLPHA also advocates for legislation and policies that help our members, and the public and affordable housing industry as a whole, strengthen neighborhoods and improve lives.

Click below for links to congressional testimonies, statements for the record, action alerts, comments to HUD and other federal agencies, and the latest information about CLPHA's multi-pronged housing advocacy.

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Latest News

2.26.25

CLPHA Supports Relaunch of Congressional Public Housing Caucus Led by Reps. Cleaver, Lynch, Meeks, and Torres

From Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's (D-MO) press release:

Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) announced the establishment of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus (CPHC). Co-chaired by a group of lawmakers with lived experience in public housing, the CPHC will serve as a dedicated resource for Members of Congress to help strengthen public housing nationwide.

“I am deeply alarmed by reports about the termination of hundreds of probationary HUD employees and planned cuts to the Department’s funding and workforce spearheaded by Elon Musk,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Despite public housing providing safe and stable shelter to millions of Americans nationwide, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and programs such as the Department’s public housing program are under constant assault. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, as well as a former resident of public housing, I’m proud to launch the Congressional Public Housing Caucus with my colleagues to ensure our expertise and experience living in public housing can be used as a resource to defend and strengthen these programs for American families."

“As a proud product of the Old Colony Housing Project in South Boston and co-chair of the new Public Housing Caucus, I am honored to work with Ranking Member Cleaver and our other Caucus colleagues to build upon our lived experiences and advance our shared commitment to expanding and modernizing public housing on behalf of America’s working families,” said Congressman Lynch. “In the midst of an escalating housing crisis that includes a shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for low-income families, the Trump Administration is planning to terminate 50% of jobs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development – the federal agency whose mission is to provide decent and safe public housing for low-income families, veterans, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. With the creation of this caucus, I look forward to making public and affordable housing a top priority in Congress."

“Growing up in public housing in New York, I know how essential diverse and stable housing options are for the residents of our districts,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. “That is why my colleagues and I are introducing this movement to continue working to unfreeze federal funding, bolster long-term policy solutions, and uplift the needs of vulnerable voices in our districts and across the country. I’m proud to help launch the Congressional Public Housing Caucus, especially at a time when the Department of Housing and Urban Development is yet another victim of the Trump-Musk Administration’s rogue budget cuts and workforce firings. Together, we aim to create safer spaces for the millions of low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities who call public housing their home."

"As a proud product of public housing, I understand firsthand the challenges and the immense potential that come with it,” said Rep. Torres. “The creation of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing fight to uplift millions of Americans who call public housing their home. Together with my fellow co-chairs, we will advocate for policies that ensure affordable, quality housing for all and work to eliminate the barriers that continue to keep too many families from achieving their full potential. Public housing is not just a roof over one’s head; it’s a foundation for building a brighter future, and I am committed to fighting for the resources and support needed to make that vision a reality."

“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) is pleased to support the launch of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus led by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. The time is now for Congress to take action and invest in public housing to ensure that our most vulnerable communities have access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing. CLPHA looks forward to working with Congressman Cleaver and the Public Housing Caucus to improve the public housing stock and the quality of life for its residents,” said Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director, CLPHA.

Read Rep. Cleaver's press release.

2.20.25

CLPHA Urges Congress to Protect HUD Programs and Staff and Prevent a Government Shutdown

(Washington, D.C.) February 20, 2025 – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities’ (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement regarding the latest threats to public housing authorities (PHAs) posed by cuts to HUD programs and staff and a potential government shutdown:

“PHAs are facing a triple threat from an expiring continuing funding resolution, slashing of some HUD programs, and cuts to HUD staff critical to program implementation. It has been reported that 50 percent of staff positions may be eliminated through early retirement and reductions in the workforce. These draconian actions are compounded by the looming federal government shutdown unless Congress passes an FY25 government funding bill by March 14. CLPHA urges Congress to protect HUD programs and staff and prevent a government shutdown.

“The federal government is currently funded under an extension called a continuing resolution (CR) that expires on March 14. The government has yet to agree on and finalize the 2025 budget and without another CR to extend funding, the government will shut down.

“A government shutdown disrupts PHA operations and continuity of service to residents, voucher holders, private owners, investors, and partners. Appropriators have still not agreed to the total amount of the budget, which is the first step in the budget process. After that it takes weeks to finalize and pass full year appropriations bills. Securing HUD funding is critical to protecting PHAs, residents, and staff. Congress must pass a full year FY25 appropriations bill that provides adequate funding for HUD programs.”

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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 85 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.

Media Contact:
David Greer, CLPHA
[email protected]

(202) 550-1381

2.3.25

Housing Is Awarded $150,000 Grant from Pritzker Children’s Initiative

Grant to Support Policy Agenda Addressing Homelessness for Infants, Toddlers, Expectant Parents, and Their Families

(Washington, D.C.) February 3, 2025 – We are pleased to announce that the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) has awarded $150,000 to support the work of Housing Is to strengthen the intersection of housing and early childhood development. Housing Is received this grant from PCI to work with a coalition of organizations, including Prevent Child Abuse America, Zero to Three, and our long-time partner SchoolHouse Connection, to build a policy agenda addressing homelessness for infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families and promoting strong early childhood development and economic security among this population.

Each year, more than 364,000 infants and toddlers experience homelessness in the U.S., and nearly 70,000 babies are born to parents who experienced homelessness during pregnancy. Homelessness during pregnancy or in the first three years of a child’s life has lifelong consequences on physical health and mental well-being. These years are foundational to development, and trauma—including homelessness—can disrupt this growth, leading to long-lasting effects.

Homelessness is preventable, and stakeholders must take action to address it. Homelessness in early childhood—recognized as an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)—can lead to developmental delays, physical and mental health issues, and lasting effects on well-being. If partners act early—before families reach a crisis point—they can prevent and solve homelessness and mitigate the resulting impact on the developing child.

“Housing Is is proud to receive this grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative and to join this coalition focused on improving housing opportunities and life outcomes for some of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals: infants, toddlers, expectant parents, and their families,” said Jeffery K. Patterson, president of the Housing Is board of directors and CEO of the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. “The early childhood, housing, and homelessness sectors must work together to build a coordinated, holistic support system for these children and their families. Public housing authorities play a critical role in providing affordable housing to this population, and Housing Is will represent the voices of PHAs and other housing organizations in this coalition. PCI’s support will enable Housing Is and our coalition to build and disseminate a policy agenda and messaging campaign that will address homelessness for these infants and young children and their families.”

“Housing Is extends our gratitude to the Pritzker Children’s Initiative for their recognition of our work to align sectors that serve low-income families,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), which manages Housing Is under an operating agreement. “As Housing Is has stressed throughout our ten-year history, systems that serve low-income individuals are stronger and more effective when they work together. With this grant, PCI is helping Housing Is to further our mission to improve life outcomes for low-income families through cross-sector collaboration.”

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About Housing Is
Housing Is, 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; Housing Is 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.