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.
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David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or [email protected].
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For Immediate Release
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“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is pleased House Democrats addressed concerns of large public housing authorities in the HEROES Act with increased funding for rental assistance for those who are at the greatest risk for homelessness and housing insecurity. The bill authorizes $4 billion in additional funding for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance with $1 billion of that designated for new temporary assistance for households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or who are fleeing domestic violence. The bill also includes $750 million additional funding for Project-Based Rental Assistance, $2 billion in additional funds for the Public Housing Operating Fund, and $100 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance. CLPHA is also pleased with the proposal to protect funding that was shortly due to expire under the Choice Neighborhood Initiative by extending funding through September 30, 2021.
CLPHA will continue to forcefully advocate to policymakers that we as a nation must emerge from this unprecedented pandemic with an unequivocal commitment to address the growing need for rental assistance. “
(202) 550-1381
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities |
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Public Housing Authorities Need $8.5 Billion in Emergency COVID-19 Funds Plus Regulatory Relief
CLPHA members are working tirelessly, compassionately, and pragmatically to support low-income households. We urge Congress and HUD to do the same.
WASHINGTON (March 19, 2020) - The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities sent letters to Congressional leaders and U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson today formally requesting $5 billion for the public housing program and $3.5 billion for the housing choice voucher program in emergency supplemental funds and additional regulatory relief for public housing authorities as they work to protect residents and staff during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement after submitting the requests to Congress and HUD:
"Low-income households and the elderly who are served by public and affordable housing have the most to lose during the current COVID-19 public health crisis because they are the most vulnerable to unemployment, lost income, and heartbreakingly, the virus itself.
"To ensure the health and safety of residents, and of staff, public housing authorities are taking unprecedented actions to follow public health protocols, while continuing to provide residents with services ranging from food deliveries to regular property repairs.
"The FY20 operating budget for public housing authorities is wholly inadequate to fund the enormous unforeseen cost of COVID-19 emergency expenses combined with estimated losses in tenant rent payments. CLPHA is requesting $8.5 billion from Congress in emergency supplemental funds and urging HUD to provide public housing authorities with the flexibility to respond to the changing situation as needed.
"Without a commitment from the federal government to support public and affordable housing operations during and after the COVID-19 emergency, millions of households could be left unprotected from the virus and face longer-term housing insecurity.
"CLPHA members are working tirelessly, compassionately, and pragmatically to support low-income households. We urge Congress and HUD to do the same."
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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 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 and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s work to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
CLPHA Responds to Trump’s Proposed Cuts to Public Housing Budget
In the face of an estimated capital needs backlog of $70 billion, HUD’s budget zeroes out the public housing capital fund, which is used to address the growing physical needs of aging properties.
WASHINGTON (February 10, 2020) - Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement today in response to President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget proposal, which would slash funding for the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development by more than 15 percent, including a 43 percent cut to public housing funding.
“It is no surprise that this Administration has again proposed to gut funding for our nation’s public housing authorities, which serve more than 3 million low- and very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities through the public housing and voucher programs.
“In the face of an estimated capital needs backlog of $70 billion, HUD’s budget zeroes out the public housing capital fund, which is used to address the growing physical needs of aging properties.
“In his Budget Brief message, Secretary Carson touts the department’s commitment to resident health and safety with a nominal $90 million increase in funding to address certain hazards including lead, radon, and carbon monoxide. These one-off grants, though welcome, are insufficient and do not comprehensively address the needs of public housing residents or properties.
“We also have serious concerns that HUD’s budget underfunds the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Project-Based Rental Assistance so inadequately that as many as 160,000 households could lose voucher funding.
“The proposal additionally attempts to reintroduce rent increases and work requirements, two controversial polices that lack support from advocates and housing leaders.
“Some bright spots in the budget include increases to the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and Jobs-Plus, and a request of $100 million for the RAD program, which enables public housing authorities to convert public housing units to the Section 8 funding platform.
“But these improvements are meaningless if there are not enough resources to operate the public housing properties or to dramatically improve property conditions for residents living there.”
“Congress has previously rejected draconian budgets that shred our safety net, and we call on them to do so again.”
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 and follow @housing_is for news on CLPHA’s work to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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From the Denver Housing Authority's press release:
The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) and its strategic partners celebrated a major milestone in the transformation of Sun Valley on Thursday with the grand opening of Flo, a 212-unit building designed for adults 55 and older and individuals with disabilities.
The ribbon cutting marked the completion of Phase 3 of DHA’s Sun Valley redevelopment and featured remarks from Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, City Councilwoman Jamie Torres, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside DHA CEO Joaquín Cintrón Vega, project partners, and community members.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston highlighted the project’s impact on both housing and economic opportunities: “An affordable Denver is one where people of all age brackets, backgrounds, and incomes can live – and live well – within their budgets,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Developments like Flo demonstrate that you can have high quality housing without paying high rent, and we will continue working tirelessly to create more opportunities like this one across Denver.”
DHA Chief Executive Officer Joaquín Cintrón Vega reflected on the project’s deeper meaning for the neighborhood. “Honoring a community’s vision means listening with humility, acting with courage, and building with purpose,” said Joaquín Cintrón Vega, CEO at the Denver Housing Authority. “In fulfilling our promise to Sun Valley, we’ve created homes shaped by community voices, replacing outdated housing with vibrant, mixed-income neighborhoods. Flo stands as a symbol of that vision, offering 212 new homes for older adults and people with disabilities to live, connect, and thrive.”
Councilwoman Jamie Torres (District 3) spoke about the sense of connection that defines Sun Valley “Walking through these units, I can see my own mom living here, she’s someone who gives gifts through food. That’s the spirit of households in Sun Valley,” said Torres. “Residents here are generous and love giving back to the community, because it’s those connections that make us feel grounded and part of something. We are excited to welcome all the residents we are bringing back.”
About Flo and Sun Valley
Flo is the seventh and final multifamily building in DHA’s Sun Valley redevelopment, completing the replacement of 333 outdated public housing units with 965 modern, mixed-income homes for households earning between 20%–100% of the area median income (AMI).
- The first two buildings, Gateway North and Gateway South, opened in 2021; Thrive and GreenHaus opened in 2023.
- In 2024–2025, Joli, Sol, and Flo opened to complete the housing portion of the redevelopment.
Flo highlights:
- 12-story high-rise with 212 one- and two-bedroom apartments (552–927 sq. ft.)
- Designed for adults 55+ and non-senior individuals with disabilities
- Rent (utilities included):
- 1BR (202 units): $748 (30% AMI) – $1,497 (60% AMI)
- 2BR (10 units): $897 (30% AMI) – $1,796 (60% AMI)
- Amenities: 97 covered parking spaces (7 accessible); 11 EV charging stations; indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge with grills; community gathering room; tech lounge with coworking spaces; meeting room; community laundry; and more.
- Steps from Decatur Fresh Market, the future Riverfront Park, and a new food incubator.
The Sun Valley Redevelopment is made possible through a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant awarded by HUD in 2016 as well as over $60 million through the DHA Delivers for Denver (D3) bond program with the City of Denver, which DHA has leveraged into over $500 million in new development.
With the completion of Phase 3, DHA will have replaced the 333-unit former Sun Valley Homes public housing with:
- Seven new multifamily buildings serving 965 households earning between 20%-100% of the area median income (AMI).
- Critical community investments such as the Decatur Fresh Market and a Grow Garden to provide healthy food options in the Sun Valley neighborhood.
- Significant infrastructure improvements to enhance mobility, accessibility, and connectivity throughout Sun Valley.
Additionally, DHA and the City and County of Denver are developing Sun Valley Riverfront Park, an 11-acre recreational space to support the broader vision to revitalize the South Platte River as a community hub. The first 5.5 acres of the park will be under construction in 2026.
From the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and Kershaw’s Challenge, proudly unveiled Dodgers Dreamfield 68 at Nickerson Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 10:30 a.m. The largest public housing community west of the Mississippi River is now home to the third Dodgers Dreamfield built at a public housing site.
The ceremony, emceed by Dodgers Spanish Broadcaster José Mota, included the national anthem and remarks from LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman, project sponsors, and elected officials. Special guest Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips also took part in the celebration. In addition to HACLA and Kershaw’s Challenge, Dodgers Dreamfield 68 was completed with the generous support of Bank of America, LA84 Foundation, Security Benefit, Leo and Carolina Cammilleri Family Foundation, Helen and Roger Ma, Mickey and Lee Segal Family Foundation, and the Parra-Matthews Family. Following the unveiling, local youth took the field for a skills clinic led by the Dodgers Training Academy.
“With the opening of Dodgers Dreamfield 68, the youth of Watts now have a point of pride to call their own,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “Too often, these children grow up without safe environments to play, learn and grow. Together with HACLA and Kershaw’s Challenge, we’re eliminating those barriers and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
"Well-designed community spaces strengthen human connections," said Lourdes Castro-Ramirez, President & CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. "We are thrilled to unveil this new Dodger Dreamfield at Nickerson Gardens, made possible by a strong partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Kershaw’s Challenge. Thanks for partnering with HACLA to create space for neighbors, children, and families to play, learn, interact and build connections for generations to come."
The historic 1954 housing development is currently undergoing a revitalization to improve residents' quality of life. With the help of its partners, LADF’s $1.1 million investment advances HACLA’s broader site improvements, which include plans for a small synthetic turf football field and enhancements to green spaces, recreational areas, and hardscape features surrounding the youth baseball and softball field.
Dodgers Dreamfield 68 will help reenergize the community’s baseball and softball programming for youth ages 5-12. Located in one of Los Angeles’ most historically impoverished neighborhoods, despite falling crime rates since the 1990s, the field eliminates common barriers to access by offering a free, high-quality space to gather and play. Upgrades include irrigation, playing surfaces, fencing, and a solar scoreboard reminiscent of those at Dodger Stadium.
The Nickerson Gardens Dodgers Dreamfield further positions LADF to complete 75 Dodgers Dreamfields by 2033 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles in 1958. In alignment with one of its strategic priorities of building infrastructure for sustained impact to create lasting impact for Los Angeles, LADF builds and refurbishes baseball and softball fields in underserved communities through the Dodgers Dreamfields program. Since 2003, LADF has invested over $20 million to renovate 68 Dodgers Dreamfields. Over 1.8 million youth and families have access to these safe havens and points of pride.
From the San Jose Spotlight:
More than 200 households have been given stability with the opening of two affordable housing developments near Diridon Station in San Jose.
City and county officials on Wednesday celebrated the opening of Bellarmino Place and adjacent Alvarado Park, which will provide housing for older adults and people at risk of homelessness. The Santa Clara County Housing Authority owns and developed both apartment buildings with a combination of public and private funding.
The 6-story Bellarmino Place has 116 apartments for people making 30% to 60% of the area median income, or between $60,250 to $117,120 for a family of four. The building will also accommodate 24 formerly homeless households. The nearly $97 million project received more than $10 million from Santa Clara County, $34 million from the housing authority and $52 million from Wells Fargo.
The 5-story Alvarado Park provides 90 apartments for older adults making 30% to 60% of the area median income, including 23 apartments for people at risk of homelessness. The nearly $70 million project received $10 million from the county, nearly $22 million from the housing authority and $24 million from Enterprise.
“This work matters, because permanent housing is the only sustainable solution to ending homelessness,” Santa Clara County District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg said at the opening. “Without that stability, individuals and families are forced into cycles of crisis, moving from shelter to streets and back again.”
.Read the San Jose Spotlight's article "Santa Clara County rolls out more affordable housing."
From Enterprise Community Partners' press release:
Three exceptional leaders in affordable housing were recognized for their outstanding work during Enterprise Community Partners’ (Enterprise) 2025 Southland Social on Thursday, September 18, at The Grand in Los Angeles.
The Southland Social is the nonprofit’s signature annual gathering in Southern California, bringing together more than 250 leaders across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to celebrate individuals and organizations whose work strengthens communities and expands housing opportunities. The 2025 honorees were recognized for their commitment to sustainability, decarbonization, and climate resilience for our region's affordable housing stock and our communities more broadly.
- Visionary of the Year: Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles President and CEO
- Community Partner of the Year: East LA Community Corporation (ELACC)
- Business Partner of the Year: Wells Fargo
“Each of this year’s honorees brings unique contributions to the affordable housing landscape in Los Angeles. Their leadership not only strengthens our collective ability to create and preserve much-needed affordable homes but also ensures that communities across the region remain places of opportunity, stability, and hope,” Enterprise VP and Southern California Market Leader Jimar Wilson said. “We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to continuing to work alongside them to address Southern California’s most pressing housing challenges."
With more than 25 years’ experience in affordable housing at the local, state, and federal levels, Castro Ramirez took the helm at HACLA nearly one year ago, where she has led the team on increasing affordable housing inventory through transformative public housing redevelopment efforts and acquisitions; advancing socioeconomic opportunities through HACLA's investment in people and place; and creating innovative opportunities to empower over 1,000 HACLA staff, ensuring their continued success.
"At HACLA, we believe that housing is the foundation to opportunity and Jordan Downs is where this vision comes to life," said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. "We are honored to receive this Visionary of the Year Award. It's a reminder that when we invest in people, we change lives; and we're committed to continuing our mission to preserve, expand, and reimagine deeply affordable housing, creating opportunities for families to thrive."
Thirty years ago, ELACC was founded to advance the economic and social justice needs of residents in Boyles Heights and East Los Angeles. Since 1995, the nonprofit has leveraged over $250 million in housing and other community development resources to fulfill that mission. Building on this legacy, ELACC announced last year that it will transition its entire housing portfolio—28 properties in total—to an all-electric energy system.
“The transition to clean technology represents an important step in how we care for both our residents and our neighborhoods,” said Monica Mejia, ELACC President and CEO. “By moving toward sustainability, we are creating healthier living environments today while also doing our part to protect the future of our community. It is an honor to have this work recognized by Enterprise."
Wells Fargo has been a valued partner in Enterprise’s work both locally and nationally, advancing initiatives such as Enterprise’s Sustainable Connected Communities program in Southern California, the What’s Possible publication reimagining climate innovations, and the national Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. Through Enterprise, Wells Fargo has also invested more than $556 million in affordable housing and community development.
“Safe, affordable housing is the foundation for thriving communities. Through the partnership of Wells Fargo and Enterprise Community Partners, we’re not just building homes—we’re investing in futures, empowering individuals, and strengthening neighborhoods across the country,” said Mario Holten, Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact, Southern California Region, Wells Fargo.
From the King County Housing Authority's press release:
KCHA has named our Central Administrative Campus in Tukwila, Wash., as the Stephen J. Norman Opportunity Campus in recognition of Mr. Norman’s 25 years of stewardship of KCHA and his outstanding service to the communities of King County.
A dedication ceremony held at our campus Sept. 24th honored Mr. Norman for his many achievements in housing our neighbors and improving communities throughout the region.
During his tenure, the number of households assisted on a daily basis by KCHA more than doubled, providing more than 50,000 individuals with safe, affordable housing. He focused on housing and on empowering the region’s poorest and most vulnerable households.
Mr. Norman created KCHA’s first Resident Services and Social Impact Departments to work with community partners in support of housing stability, health, self-sufficiency, and educational outcomes for KCHA’s clients:
- Working with local public and behavioral health care systems and with local non-profit housing and service providers, KCHA created an extensive network of supportive housing for homeless youth, veterans, child welfare involved families, survivors of domestic violence, individuals living with disabilities and other at-risk community members. More than 5,000 individuals are housed through these programs every day.
- KCHA also worked in close partnership with the region’s school districts, community colleges, Headstart program and organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs to support the more than 20,000 youth that it helps house. To facilitate these efforts, KCHA built a network of 18 Early Learning and After-School Centers on its properties.
Mr. Norman’s vision encompassed the equitable distribution of housing opportunities throughout the region – involving the construction, rehabilitation and acquisition of affordable housing in all communities. He:
- Significantly expanded KCHA’s inventory of workforce housing, building or acquiring more than 5,000 units of permanently affordable housing. Many of these acquisitions were in affluent or rapidly gentrifying areas of the County, preventing significant displacement of existing residents. Several of these sites, including Wonderland Estates and Highland Village, were already slated for closure and redevelopment as market-rate housing when KCHA intervened.
- Developed new approaches to blending multiple kinds of housing into a variety of neighborhoods, integrating communities and creating nationally recognized models that paved a pathway for low-income families to move to high opportunity neighborhoods. In recognition of his leadership on this issue, Mr. Norman was honored by the Poverty & Race Research Action Council at its Conference on Housing Mobility in 2021.
- Led KCHA in redeveloping 120 acres in White Center, one of the poorest communities in King County, into Greenbridge and Seola Gardens – vibrant, award-winning mixed-income communities with more than 1,000 units of housing.
- Invested heavily in KCHA’s public housing through a robust program of maintenance and capital improvements, earning KCHA national recognition for the quality of its public housing inventory.
Mr. Norman served as President of the Council of Large Housing Authorities (CLPHA) from 2012 to 2021 where he worked with the leadership at HUD and with the United States Congress to support and expand affordable housing opportunities. He served as the Chair of the Board of the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) from 2017-2024 and helped initiate a series of collaborative efforts between these two organizations to coordinate health, homelessness and housing efforts on the national level.
Mr. Norman has been recognized for his work both nationally and locally by diverse organizations including: The National Conference on Housing Mobility; the Washington State Housing Finance Commission; The White Center Boys and Girls Club; Building Changes for his work in addressing homelessness; and both Navos Mental Health Solutions and Valley Cities Counseling for his work on mental health issues. He is a recipient of the Norm Maleng Award from Lifewire for his efforts to house survivors of domestic violence.
Mr. Norman started his career as a community organizer in New York City. He retired from KCHA in 2021 after dedicating more than 45 years to affordable housing issues around the country, including serving as New York City’s first Assistant Housing Commissioner for Homeless Housing Development and as the establishing Vice-President of the Corporation for Supportive Housing.