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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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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Statement from CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman
WASHINGTON (September 21, 2018) – In support of housing authorities and residents impacted by Hurricane Florence, Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, issued the following statement:
“Though the storm itself is behind us, flooding and other destructive impacts of Hurricane Florence may take weeks or months to subside. As we consider the ongoing damage to Virginia and the Carolinas, our thoughts immediately turn to the most vulnerable segments of our population: low-income families and those who risk displacement from their homes.
“The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) and its entire membership supports providing assistance in any way we can to colleagues, partners, friends, and housing residents who have been affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence. We will make available to the fullest extent any vital resources and support services we have at our disposal to help cities, PHAs, and residents recover from the storm.
“Please know that our thoughts are with all those who have suffered losses from the hurricane and its aftermath. CLPHA and its entire network of affordable housing professionals stands ready to work across all sectors to extend both short-term and long-term assistance to anyone in need. As we have in the past, we will advocate for HUD and FEMA programs such as DHAP and CDBG-DR that help disaster-impacted low-income Americans establish housing stability and improve their life outcomes.”
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 26 percent of the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs. Learn more at clpha.org and on Twitter @CLPHA.
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration Program is a Proven Means of Securing the Future of the Nation’s Public Housing Stock
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and Federal Housing Commissioner Brian Montgomery joined the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, its development partners Atlantic | Pacific Communities and Madhouse Development Services, and the Austin community to celebrate the groundbreaking of HACA’s most recent redevelopment of one of its public housing properties, Goodrich Place, which also represents the 100,000th public housing unit being converted through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program.
In recognition of this important milestone, Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities and Patrick Costigan, Strategic Advisor to the RAD Collaborative, issued the following statement:
Today we are celebrating an important milestone addressing the critical need for affordable housing by enabling housing authorities to convert public housing to more stable long-term Section 8 based contracts that will serve PHAs and residents for years to come.
Through the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, agencies across the country can leverage private financing to complete capital improvements needed to preserve and improve the public housing stock, without giving up control of the asset. RAD engenders creative local partnerships, stimulates ongoing economic activity, and leads to improved housing quality for low-income seniors and families.
As we celebrate the 100,000th RAD unit, it’s clear that we have proof of concept. To give PHAs greater certainty, HUD’s program should be permanent with unlimited opportunity for conversions to agencies meeting the requirements.
Congratulations to HUD at this significant juncture, and to HACA and the residents of Goodrich Place who will soon have access to improved units in one of Austin’s highest opportunity neighborhoods.
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 26 percent 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 the RAD Collaborative
The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA)—with the support of the National Equity Fund (NEF), HAI Group, Reno & Cavanaugh, and CF Housing Group—organized the RAD Collaborative for interested Public Housing Authorities, their partners and residents using the Rental Assistance Demonstration to preserve and revitalize public housing properties. Our focus also includes extending RAD to multifamily housing at risk of being lost from the affordable inventory--including Rent Supp, RAP, Mod Rehab and Section 202 PRAC properties. Learn more at radcollaborative.org and on Twitter @SucceedwithRAD.
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Patricia Wells, Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority, and Mark Gillett, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, Elected to CLPHA’s Board
CLPHA is pleased to announce the election of two new board members: Patricia Wells, Executive Director of the Oakland Housing Authority, and Mark Gillett, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority. These two new members were elected at CLPHA’s Spring 2026 Board Meeting, held March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Wells and Gillett bring more than 50 years combined in public housing authority leadership to the board. CLPHA thanks Ms. Wells and Mr. Gillett for volunteering their time and expertise to the stewardship of our organization and looks forward to continuing our work with them to protect and expand affordable housing opportunities for low-income families across the country.
From the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's website:
Every day, MPHA helps provide stable, affordable housing to more than 26,000 people. But the agency’s impact goes beyond just residents and program participants—MPHA invests millions in the local economy annually through contracted projects and services. In 2025, MPHA paid out $142,710,556 in contracts to local landlords, construction companies, security firms, and social service providers.
“MPHA is a key infrastructure in the city of Minneapolis—both for the people it helps house and for its investment in the local economy,” said Abdi Warsame, Executive Director/CEO of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “MPHA maintained thousands of homes, hundreds of jobs, and invested more than one hundred and forty million dollars in our community last year. I am proud of the incredible work our team does every day to make our community better, and I look forward to MPHA continuing to increase its investments in the years ahead.”
The largest portion of MPHA’s investment in the Twin Cities economy comes from administering nearly 7,500 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). Through MPHA’s vouchers, the agency provides participants with a rental subsidy and partners with landlords and affordable housing developers in the private rental market. Last year, the agency allocated more than $83 million in Housing Assistance Payments to local landlords on behalf of nearly 20,000 people who benefit from vouchers in Minneapolis.
With the agency’s capital backlog estimated at more than $290 million, MPHA completes substantial construction and renovation work every year. For the most complex projects, MPHA routinely contracts with local construction companies to supplement the work of its own in-house team of skilled maintenance and tradespeople. Last year, the agency broke ground on the largest public housing redevelopment in city history, Spring Manor. Other recent examples include $20 million in high-rise capital repairs and major exterior enveloping renovations at 65 scattered site family homes. In 2025, MPHA spent nearly $50 million with local contractors on the agency’s various construction projects.
Other major investments include security and social services, which are routinely listed as MPHA residents’ top priorities in annual budget conversations. MPHA spends several million dollars every year on security and social services across its high-rise buildings and family housing portfolio. The agency leverages security personnel, property gates, secure building access, and more to ensure its buildings are secure. Last year, the agency spent more than $5 million on security services.
To bring social services and community resources to residents, MPHA has a long-standing partnership with Volunteers of America (VOA). The services VOA team members deliver include helping residents through case management, health screenings and education, and referrals for additional support (food, health, etc.). In recent years, MPHA has seen the need for these services increase significantly. In response, MPHA has increased its VOA funding to nearly $1 million a year. This is part of a larger $3.5 million allocated to local partnered social service providers in 2025. In addition to the social services provided by VOA, MPHA contracts community and resident council support through Minneapolis Highrise Representative Council, housing stabilization support through Stable Homes Stable School, and more.
Helping provide housing to more than 26,000 people, MPHA is a key infrastructure in the City of Minneapolis and Twin Cities region. And with recent one-time and ongoing investments in MPHA by state and local leaders, the agency is poised to continue to expand its investments in the years ahead.
From the Tacoma Housing Authority's press release:
Tacoma Housing Authority (THA) and its nonprofit subsidiary, Tacoma Housing Development Group (THDG), announced an $80,000 grant from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) to support the expansion of the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Project - a comprehensive initiative designed to advance academic success, social-emotional development, and mental health for young people living in THA communities. VMFH recently announced a commitment of $1.8 million to 29 local nonprofits, awarded through its 2026 Community Health Improvement Grants program; THA was among the 29 grant recipients.
The grant will help scale ELO’s proven summer enrichment model into year-round learning. During the 2026–2027 program year, ELO will expand from a five-week to an eight-week summer program and introduce after-school learning sessions for children and youth ages 5–18 across multiple THA properties.
Addressing Urgent Community Health and Education Needs
Youth living in low-income households often face systemic inequities, trauma, and limited access to safe, high-quality learning environments. The ELO Project aims to reduce these barriers through consistent exposure to caring adults, structured activities, supportive peer relationships, and opportunities for creativity and joy.
The ELO Project is a collaborative partnership between Tacoma Housing Authority, SOP Projects (Seeds of Peace), and Greentrike. Together, these organizations will serve more than 2,400 children and youth, focusing on those experiencing academic disengagement, social isolation, trauma, or behavioral and mental health challenges.
Programming will include:
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) skill building
- Mental health supports and wellness workshops
- Academic tutoring and enrichment
- STEM and arts activities
- Mentorship opportunities
- Physical activity and play based learning
THA will provide grant oversight and program management, ensuring success for its properties and residents. SOP Projects (Seeds of Peace) will lead SEL, conflict resolution, youth led coordination, and mental health awareness initiatives—including training youth leaders in Teen Mental Health First Aid. Greentrike will provide curriculum development, staff training, and support to ensure equitable, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
“This investment allows us to provide year-round programming that strengthens emotional resilience, builds academic confidence, and nurtures the unique potential of young people in our communities,” said THA Executive Director April Black. “We are deeply grateful to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for recognizing the importance of prevention-focused, community-rooted development for young people.”
The expanded ELO Project will help ensure that the program is fostering long-term wellbeing, reducing summer learning loss, and helping close opportunity gaps for THA youth.
From the Durham Housing Authority's press release:
The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Durham ("DHA") announced today the retirement of Interim Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Snell, effective February 6, 2026. Mr. Snell has made the difficult decision to bring his career in the public sector to a close in order to return home and spend more time with his family.
Mr. Snell joined DHA in 2020. As its Director of Real Estate, he was the driving force behind the development of several high-profile affordable housing projects including JJ Henderson, The Joyce, 500 East Main, Elizabeth Street Apartments, Commerce Street Apartments, Dillard Street Apartments, Villages of Hayti, Tribute Rising, numerous public-private partnerships and many more. Additionally, Mr. Snell was instrumental in fostering a collaborative and impactful partnership between DHA and City of Durham in connection with the City's commitment to investing in the preservation and development of affordable housing.
Since December 2024, Mr. Snell has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of DHA. During his tenure, Mr. Snell has strengthened both operational and financial stability at DHA. The Board extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Snell for his outstanding dedication and leadership during his term of service with DHA.
The Board also announced both that it will begin a national search for the next permanent Chief Executive Officer and that Ashanti Brown will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer during this transition period. Ms. Brown currently serves as DHA's Chief Operating Officer. She began her tenure at DHA in 2017 as the first Director of Strategic Management and has served as the Chief Operating Officer since 2024.
"I join my fellow Commissioners in congratulating Mr. Snell on an outstanding career at DHA and in the public sector," said Mayme Webb Bledsoe, Chair of the DHA Board of Commissioners. Mr. Snell's firm leadership and strategic vision have set DHA on a successful path into the future. We wish him well in his retirement."
"I want the citizens of Durham, particularly DHA residents, to know that my service here has been one of the highlights of my career," said Mr. Snell. I sincerely appreciated the support and guidance of the Board of Commissioners and the City of Durham, and the commitment of the DHA staff. I am confident that the progress made under my leadership will serve the Durham community well into the future."
From Goldsboro Daily News:
The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Goldsboro (HACG) has announced the hiring of Michele Wiggins as the agency’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Wiggins brings extensive experience in housing administration and community development, including prior service with HACG. She previously served as Director of Grant Management from 2015 to 2020 and later as Director of Strategy and Innovation from 2020 to 2021.
Most recently, Wiggins worked with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety as a Housing Opportunities Manager, overseeing a portfolio exceeding $200 million in HUD Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding. Her established working relationships with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at both the state and federal levels are expected to be a strong asset to the Authority.
Board Chair Sherry Archibald said Wiggins’ experience and leadership made her the clear choice for the role.
“Ms. Wiggins’ depth of experience, proven leadership, and passion for serving our community make her an outstanding choice to lead HACG,” Archibald said. “Her desire to return and work closely with our staff, residents and community stakeholders reflects her strong commitment to our mission.”