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FY20 Funding Bill from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Includes Robust Funding Increases and Legislative Language to Prevent HUD from Evicting Mixed-Status Immigrant Families
WASHINGTON (May 22, 2019) - In preparation for a subcommittee markup on the morning of May 23, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) today released their FY20 funding bill. According to the subcommittee proposal, the discretionary funding level for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) totals $50.1 billion, an increase of $5.9 billion above the FY19 enacted level, and $13.4 billion above President Trump’s request.
The Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, Sunia Zaterman, issued the following statement in support of the bill:
“In a familiar pattern and reprise of repudiating Trump Administration budget proposals, the House THUD budget reflects Congress’ continuing commitment to fund critically important housing and community development programs the Administration proposed rescinding, cutting, or eliminating in its budget request.
“CLPHA is pleased that under the leadership of THUD Subcommittee Chairman David Price (D-NC) and Ranking Member Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), the THUD proposal increases – in several instances substantially increases – or level funds programs critical to communities served by public housing authorities.
“In addition to robust funding increases, such as the doubling of Choice Neighborhoods to $300 million and fully funding the Section 8 account, the proposal includes legislative language to prevent HUD from evicting mixed-status immigrant families from public housing, and to prohibit HUD from unilaterally changing the public housing annual contributions contract without public input and following the administrative procedures act process. Importantly, mandatory rent increases and work requirements were not included in the subcommittee’s bill.
“We applaud the subcommittee for its ongoing commitment to public and affordable housing and look forward to working with the Chair and Ranking Member in support of this bill.”
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 Housing Is Initiative to better intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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Public Housing is as much a part of the national infrastructure as Route 66, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Hoover Dam.
WASHINGTON (April 30, 2019) - Today the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing entitled “Housing in America: Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of America’s Housing Stock” to examine the need for investment in affordable housing infrastructure--including public housing—and investigate additional barriers to developing affordable housing.
Sunia Zaterman, the executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement after watching the hearing and reviewing draft legislation circulated by Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) that would authorize funding for several housing infrastructure projects, including $70 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund:
“Public housing is as a much a part of the national infrastructure as Route 66, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Hoover Dam. Public housing helps communities and families thrive by providing more than one million low- and very-low income families, children, elderly and persons with disabilities with a stable place to live, connecting low-income workers to economic opportunities, and spurring regional job creation and economic growth.
“But, years of chronic underfunding have led to the deterioration of the public housing stock and since 1990, at least 300,000 units have been lost because of the lack of adequate resources to maintain them. The federal disinvestment in public housing has contributed to an untenable shortage of stable housing for low-income households.
“A reinvestment in public housing should include adequate funding to preserve and improve the public housing stock. Equally important is thoughtful consideration about additional tools that public housing authorities can use to modernize and develop affordable housing to meet the needs of residents and local communities. Expanding the Rental Assistance Demonstration program and increasing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocations, for example, would support public housing authorities’ recapitalization and redevelopment efforts.
“Housing is infrastructure and we thank the Chairwoman and the Committee for underscoring the importance of public housing during today’s hearing and in the Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2019.”
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 insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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The disinvestment in housing and supportive services is a disinvestment in our nation’s most vulnerable populations.
WASHINGTON (March 12, 2019) - Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement today in response to President Trump’s FY 2020 Budget proposal, which would slash funding for the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development by more than 16 percent, including a $4.6 billion cut to the public housing capital and operating funds.
“This budget is a study in contradiction. While the administration is promising safer, healthier, more affordable housing, this budget proposes a 16 percent cut to HUD funding.
“While promoting HUD’s efforts to end homelessness and reduce home health and safety hazards, this budget slashes the public housing operating fund and zeroes out the capital fund.
“While rightly raising the cap on RAD conversions and requesting $100 million for the program, this budget renders the program effectively unusable with the proposed funding cuts.
“It is not possible for public housing authorities to dedicate resources to meeting capital needs when there is no capital fund, or to house the homeless without the resources to operate housing.
“The administration wants us to think beyond investing in bricks and mortar, and instead think about investing in people. This budget does neither of those things. The disinvestment in housing and supportive services is a disinvestment in our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including the 2.2 million low- and very low-income families, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities who are served by public housing.
“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 insect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
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From WAVY 10 News Norfolk:
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) partnered with the United Way of South Hampton Roads and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Virginia for a Born Learning Trail in Grandy Village.
Serving as an educational resource and an opportunity for community engagement, the Born Learning Trail is set to promote early childhood literacy, education and parental involvement.
Residents of all ages will notice colorful shapes, images and numbers painted on the sidewalk while walking the Born Learning Trail. There’s also a series of 10 signs that encourage specific learning activities like counting, identifying colors or learning about nature.
“The Born Learning Trail will give the Grandy Village’s families and children opportunities to connect and learn about nature,” said Raytron White, president of the Grandy Village Tenant Management Council. “It’s a perfect opportunity to have fun learning while improving health.”
Read WAVY 10 News' article "Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority to Unveil Born Learning Trail in Grandy Village."
From KEYT News:
The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura has started construction on the Valentine Road Apartments in Ventura.
“Homelessness is one of the most vexing issues in California, particularly in Ventura we are no different than other cities and we we play a role and trying to solve homelessness in Ventura … one way of doing that is providing safe housing for those that are currently experiencing homelessness," said chief executive officer Jeffrey Lambert of the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.
The housing authority secured about $32 million through the state’s HOMEKEY program to acquire the former La Quinta Hotel.
Crews are repurposing the hotel to provide more housing for the community.
“We decided to get into the homeless solution business a couple years ago … and we’ve done it in small pieces across our properties. this is the first time we’ve taken an entire property just to solve the homeless crisis Ventura," said Lambert.
Read KEYT News' article "Local housing authority beginning construction of the largest HOMEKEY project in Ventura County."
From WANE 15 News:
Fort Wayne Housing Authority broke ground on a housing development Tuesday that aims to provide supportive housing for at-risk individuals and adults facing chronic homelessness.
The project, named Hillcrest Commons, will demolish the vacant Hillcrest School and provide 24 one-bedroom units that will be subsidized through vouchers from Fort Wayne Housing Authority. Parkview Behavioral Health Institute will also provide “supportive services.”
“There is a real need for supportive housing in our nation, and Hillcrest Commons will provide a solution for families in our community who need critical wraparound services, which will help reduce cases within our city,” said George Guy, CEO and executive director of Fort Wayne Housing Authority.
The housing development will also provide a community space with a kitchen, fitness room, meeting rooms and shared laundry facilities.
Read WANE 15 News' article "Fort Wayne housing development aims to support ‘chronically homeless.’"
Investment Made Possible Through MTW Flexibilities
From the Oakland Housing Authority's press release:
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, city, state, and nonprofit leaders convened at Palo Vista Community Gardens, a public housing community in East Oakland, to announce a series of complementary investments in broadband infrastructure and digital access aimed at bridging the digital divide in Oakland’s most underserved communities. These initiatives, spanning multiple sectors and funding sources, represent a coordinated effort to ensure that every resident, regardless of income or location, can access reliable, high-speed internet and the devices necessary to thrive in today’s digital world.
These investments will expand access to many of the least connected neighborhoods in urban Alameda County—communities that many advocates had feared would be excluded from the State’s once-in-a-generation digital equity investment, and where internet performance is—on average—ten times slower than in higher income, predominantly White communities. Speaking on the dialogue that prioritized Oakland’s highest poverty communities, Assemblymember Bonta shared, “I have to say that we had courageous conversations. They weren’t easy…There was certainly consternation, but at the heart of that was love. Love for the city. Love for the concept of justice and equity and a recognition that connectivity in this day and age is a civil right.”
Oakland Housing Authority Free Internet Initiative
In December of 2023, the Oakland Housing Authority’s Board of Directors unanimously approved $2.5M to fund the first phase of the OHA Free Internet Initiative. OHA Executive Director Patricia Wells announced that service installation is currently underway. This initiative will provide free WiFi to nearly 2,000 residents in OHA’s four largest properties through at least 2027. Director Wells emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The internet is a 21st-century necessity - essential for all aspects of life, including learning, banking, economic opportunity, and health and social services access. With this commitment, OHA deepens its pursuit of an Oakland undivided, where students, families, and residents have access to the internet as a utility.” The goal is to deploy at the remaining sites by Fall 2024.
The City of Oakland’s $15M FFA Last Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao formally announced the $15M Oakland Connect grant awarded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In July, the CPUC voted unanimously to fund Oakland Connect—the City of Oakland’s $15 million grant proposal to expand access to reliable, high-speed internet in Oakland. Mayor Thao expressed that she is "extremely proud of the team that worked on this and wants to thank the CPUC for selecting our project and providing this opportunity to invest in the most underserved communities in East and West Oakland." The Oakland Connect project will pave the way for the city to expand high-speed internet access to thousands of unserved and underserved families in East and West Oakland while also connecting 14 community anchor institutions and 9 public safety buildings.
The California Department of Technology $20M Middle Mile Investment in Oakland
The California Department of Technology (CDT) is building the largest public broadband network in the United States—8,000 miles of fiber optic cables that connect entire communities to high-speed, reliable internet. The CDT shared that installation is underway on these “internet superhighways” along every eligible state right-of-way in Oakland, including I-580, I-880, and I-980. This state-driven project in Oakland will be a cornerstone of the Statewide network, providing the bandwidth needed to build last-mile networks, including the City of Oakland’s Oakland Connect FFA Last Mile project.
Oakland Public Education Fund’s $1M Student Connectivity Fund for Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)
Supporting student connectivity, OUSD Superintendent Dr. Kyra Johnson-Trammell lauded Oakland Public Education Fund’s announcement of a $1M Student Connectivity Fund that will provide home devices and internet access to students in need in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). In her remarks, she highlighted OUSD’s dedication to ensuring students have the tools they need to thrive and expressed her gratitude “...the partnership through Oakland Undivided is invaluable to this effort, and now the Oakland Public Education Fund’s $1M Student Connectivity Fund will help us carry on the mission to provide all students in need with a computer and home internet access for the fifth consecutive year.”
These four initiatives represent a bold new era for digital equity in Oakland, where collaborations will bring connectivity and opportunity to underserved residents for generations.
From CBS News Los Angeles:
City and state leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a South Los Angeles 800-apartment-unit complex to be built above a new Costco, with 184 units dedicated to low-income housing.
The developer, Thrive Living, said it's the first new housing in Los Angeles to move forward under state law AB2011, which aims to streamline approvals for apartments and mixed-use projects that include low-income housing.
The 5-acre lot near the intersection of Coliseum and La Brea, will be home to the first mixed-use development in the nation to have Costco as the anchor retail tenant.
"The status quo is over, waiting around for projects to get started and to fail, and for opportunities to die. Los Angeles is moving forward with unprecedented action, driven by urgent collaboration in both the public and the private sector, " Mayor Karen Bass said.
The 5035 Collesium project will feature a new Costco at the street level and 800 apartments above, with 184 dedicated to low-income housing. The remaining units will be offered as nonsubsidized, affordable and workforce housing.
According to Cielo Castro, LA Housing Authority board chair, the affordable housing units will be available to families earning $41,610, at a rental rate of $1,040, including utilities.
Read CBS News Los Angeles' article "A mixed-use Costco, low-income housing development breaks ground in South LA."