CLPHA Press Room

From the New York City Housing Authority's press release:

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and partner team, RDC Development, a joint venture between Wavecrest Management and MDG Design & Construction, today announced the completion of the $492 million comprehensive renovation of Williamsburg Houses as part of the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. This project renovated over 1,600 apartments across 20 buildings (home to more than 3,000 residents), as well as building infrastructure, development grounds, shared spaces, a community center, two childcare facilities, and 19 commercial storefronts. Completed in 1938, Williamsburg Houses is one of the oldest NYCHA properties and was designated as a New York City Landmark in 2003 and listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2021. Because of the historic status of the buildings, NYCHA was able to leverage $142 million in State and federal historic tax credits.

"This RAD/PACT redevelopment has provided thousands of Williamsburg Houses residents with modern, lead-free homes, ensuring these apartments stay affordable for future generations,” said HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey Alicka Ampry-Samuel. “Over 23,000 NYCHA apartments have been renovated and preserved through RAD/PACT. Our partners also hired NYCHA residents through HUD’s Section 3 program, creating job opportunities and uniting contractors with HUD-subsidized workers. These extensive renovations not only preserved affordable housing but also safeguarded the historical significance of this landmark."

"Today, we celebrate the delivery of safe and healthy homes for over 3,000 residents of Williamsburg Houses,” said U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez. “These renovations will help ensure apartments are lead-free and that the families in this historic development are protected for years to come. Utilization of federally-funded Project Based Section 8 vouchers were instrumental in the facilitation of these upgrades. As the highest ranking New Yorker on the Housing and Insurance subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with NYCHA leadership and all who are committed to providing public housing residents in New York with the quality of life they deserve."

“The $492 million of comprehensive renovations and repairs at Williamsburg Houses represent years of hard work and collaboration between residents and the RDC Development team,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “Williamsburg Houses is a shining example of this administration’s commitment to ensuring NYCHA residents are able to shape and plan their Williamsburg community.”

“I’m grateful to join Williamsburg Houses today in celebrating the renovation of over 1,600 apartments as well as the improvement of building infrastructure, shared spaces, development grounds, and commercial spaces,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Congratulations to NYCHA and RDC Development on this extensive project. I look forward to seeing more work like this to ensure Brooklynites have access to safe, dignified, and enjoyable spaces to call home.”

"We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of this $492 million renovation at Williamsburg Houses, a historic landmark that has now been revitalized for over 3,000 residents," said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. "NYCHA extends its deepest appreciation to Williamsburg residents for their partnership throughout the process, and to the PACT partner team who shared in our vision of preserving the development's historic significance while providing much-needed renovations to one of NYCHA's first developments that will improve residents' quality of life for generations to come."

From the Chicago Housing Authority's website:

CHA and the Michael’s Organization celebrated the grand opening of the $45 million rehab of Irene McCoy Gaines Apartments, a 150-unit CHA senior property in East Garfield Park. The 17-story building, more than five decades old, will remain affordable for years to come after work financed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) RAD program and support from the City of Chicago.

Built in 1964, Irene McCoy Gaines has undergone extensive rehab of all units, including new HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems and new amenity spaces that include a redesigned dining/community room, exterior courtyard, reception areas, meeting, game, exercise and computer rooms and updated laundry spaces.

From the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' press release:

On Friday, November 15, 2024, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) joined community leaders and elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of the new Watts Los Angeles Worksource Center location, located at 2212 E. Imperial Highway. This enhanced center will serve as a vital resource for career development, providing a range of employment and training opportunities for residents of Los Angeles.

The ceremony was facilitated by Britney Chine, HACLA’s Workforce Development Manager, with opening remarks by HACLA’s Board of Commissioner and Business Agent for Laborers' International Union of North America Local 300, Delfino De La Cruz Jr. followed by inspiring words from Deputy Mayor of Economic Opportunity, Brenda Shockley; the City’s General Manager of Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD), Carolyn Hull; State Representative for Watts and parts of South Los Angeles, Assemblymember Mike Gipson represented by Deon Arnold and key State partner the Employment Development Department represented by Ken Gomez; as well as Aysa Evelyn, CaseWork Manager for Representative Maxine Waters.

Attendees were moved by testimonials from David Wyatt and Grandelia Pasillas, who shared how programs like Prison to Employment (P2E) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) opened new career paths for them. Their stories highlighted the center's role in transforming lives through education, training, services and job support. The ceremony was concluded by Jenny Scanlin, HACLA’s Chief Development Officer who invited the dignitaries to join her in cutting the ribbon to open the new Center.

“HACLA is proud of the thirty-two year history of its Watts/LA WorkSource Center which was started intentionally by the great Mayor Tom Bradley after the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising to address the grave inequities in economic opportunity for residents living in underserved communities like Watts and South Los Angeles,” said Chief Development Officer Jenny Scanlin.  

“Thank you to HACLA for their continued commitment to uplifting South LA’s workforce. This WorkSource Center will assist local Angelenos impacted by job insecurity get enrolled into training and support services so they can get on a path to gaining access to employment in industries that will offer financial security and career advancement,” said EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull.

“We are committed to helping Angelenos connect to new career pathways and access life-changing opportunities,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “The expanded Watts Los Angeles WorkSource Center is not just a resource for the present; it is an investment in the economic future of L.A.”

“The new Watts/LA WorkSource Center will be a crucial investment in our community, providing One-Five and South LA residents with access to essential training and career pathways. This center will open doors for individuals who deserve the opportunity to thrive in careers, strengthening both our local workforce and the families that make this community resilient,” stated the Office of Councilmember Tim McOsker.

“Serving thousands of adults and youth in and outside of HACLA’s public housing and Section 8 programs to successfully upskill, cross-skill and re-skill to enter the workforce, start a business and/or climb career ladders is what the Watts/LA WorkSource Center does best and this new facility will allow us to expand the array of services and offerings our clients deserve,” said HACLA Commissioner De La Cruz.

The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, after which guests were invited for a tour of the almost 9,000 square foot center built out with an active computer lab, business center, private counseling space and large training rooms. The center is located on HACLA-owned property shared with a 100-bed Bridge Housing site run by Salvation Army and will be partnering with this shelter as well as other shelter and transitional housing sites to offer easy access to training and job resources for Angelenos coming out of homelessness. Light refreshments and networking continued as guests enjoyed the new indoor and outdoor space. 

From the Housing Authority of the City of Austin's press release:

Two significant grants totaling more than three-quarters of a million dollars will help provide transformational services for people assisted by the Housing Authority of the City of Austin.

Through its Austin Pathways subsidiary, HACA plans to increase its efforts focused on providing healthcare, as well as self-sufficiency education. Austin Pathways is a 501(c)(3) organization.

“HACA is always looking to expand the transformative programs that improve health and self-sufficiency outcomes for our families,” HACA President and CEO Michael Gerber said. “We are grateful to our funding partners for supporting our critical wrap-around services that truly improve resident quality of life.

A $500,000 Community Driven Change grant from the St. David’s Foundation will allow for the continuation of the Bringing Health Home (BHH) program. The funding sustains five Community Health Worker positions for two additional years, enabling them to help HACA residents make informed health decisions, creating long-term positive outcomes for historically marginalized communities.

Chronic diseases disproportionately affect low-income communities. In a recent HACA Community Health Needs Assessment, 76% of respondents reported having at least one chronic disease. The nationwide prevalence of diabetes, for example, is around 10.5%, while data from HACA’s assessment reflected rates as high as 36%. The causal relationship between poverty and chronic disease is exacerbated by the fact that, for those in treatment, direct health care costs for a chronic disease average more than $6,000 annually.

Maritza Echavarria is one of many HACA residents who rely on the BHH program.

“It means a lot to me. It helps take care of my disabled son’s needs. Without it, the issues he faces would be a lot more severe,” she said.

“BHH is very good for the community. It helps people feel better for themselves because they know they have someone there who helps take care of them.”

The St. David’s Foundation debuted its Community Driven Change grants in May of this year, focusing on organizations fostering healthier communities and improving access to healthcare. A total of 23 groups received a combined $9.1 million in funding. The grant term begins this month.

Previous funding sources for HACA’s Community Health Workers have included Austin Public Health and United HealthCare.

The second grant, which totals $265,540, comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation.** First-year funding totals $129,381; second-year funding comes out to $136,159.

This grant will jumpstart the second phase of HACA’s evaluation of its self-sufficiency programs, aiming to better understand residents’ needs with an eye towards improving services offered. Self-sufficiency programs focus on job training, childcare assistance, financial literacy and health services.

The funding will also enable HACA to expand its new case management system to more effectively monitor residents’ progress as they utilize the various services that are available to them.

From Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Panda Cares' press release:

Since 2020, Panda Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, has committed more than $51 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support academic success for young people in Clubs nationwide. Now, the partnership has reached a new milestone with the opening of its 100th Panda Cares Center of Hope at Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside’s historic Estrada Courts Club and public housing project. The newly renovated Center will serve some 150 local youth of all ages, providing them with academic support and programming that sparks joy and fun in a safe and supportive environment.

Intentionally designed to give young people the resources and support they need to develop and improve their academic skills while out of school, Panda Cares Centers of Hope are established within Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation to foster learning and enrichment. This encourages character building, makes academics more engaging, fosters positive relationships, and increases access to opportunities beyond what’s available in school. Utilizing relationship-centered practices that support youth’s individual needs and creates a sense of belonging allows Club members to dream big.

“Boys & Girls Clubs are dedicated to empowering young people to achieve academic success and reach their full potential. These Centers of Hope are already serving over 50,000 youth in hundreds of communities. We are grateful and proud to partner with Panda Cares for the opening of this 100th Center of Hope and the many more still to come,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

To support youth on their path to great futures, each Center of Hope, located inside of a Boys & Girls Club, implements Project Learn -- an evidence-informed academic strategy that fosters learning, character development, and, ultimately, career access. This strategy reinforces and enhances what young people learn during the school day through activities such as homework help and tutoring, intentional high yield learning activities and technology access while creating experiences that invite them to fall in love with learning.

“Giving is one of Panda Restaurant Group's core values and we are proud to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the Panda Cares Foundation. Our vision for the Panda Cares Centers of Hope is to empower the next generation to reach their full potential. The opening of the 100th Center of Hope at a Boys & Girls Club marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment to investing in America's youth, providing hope and opportunities for communities nationwide,” said Panda Express cofounder and co-CEO Peggy Cherng.

Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside has been a cornerstone of the community since first opening its doors in 1972 and now serves over 11,000 youth annually across its five Club locations. The Estrada Courts Boys & Girls Club location proudly sits in the center of the Estrada Courts public housing project and will utilize its Panda Cares Center of Hope to enhance the academic outcomes of neighborhood youth.

“There’s no better place for the centennial opening than at our Estrada Courts Club, the first Center of Hope located in a public housing site,” said JR Dzubak, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside. “We are excited to witness the positive effects of this incredible resource on our children, who are eager to learn and develop. Together, we will celebrate their achievements and provide support throughout their journey.”