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David Greer
Director of Communications
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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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WASHINGTON (May 9, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will formally propose a new rule tomorrow that would disallow undocumented immigrants from living in federally subsidized housing. The proposed rule, which will be published in the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period, would impact tens of thousands of immigrant families that include U.S. citizen children and other family members who are eligible for assistance.
The Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, Sunia Zaterman, issued the following statement in response to the proposed rule:
“CLPHA is strongly opposed to HUD’s punitive proposal that would make it harder for public housing authorities (PHAs) to serve their communities.
“The consequences are significant. Well over 10,000 mixed-immigration status family members currently served by one PHA, plus tens of thousands more around the country, would be impacted by the rule, making them more vulnerable to housing instability. HUD’s proposal would create more challenges for an already underfunded homeless services and prevention system.
“This policy is antithetical to the mission of the federal public housing program – to provide housing that is safe, decent and affordable to low- and very low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and administer the housing choice voucher program.
“We are housers, not ICE agents, but that is exactly what HUD’s proposed rule is asking public housing authorities (PHAs) to become by requiring PHA staff to determine the immigration status of every household member and report it into a federal database.
“CLPHA will be submitting public comments in opposition to the proposed rule during the comment period.”
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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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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From Lucas Metropolitan Housing's press. release:
Joaquín Cintrón Vega is resigning from his role as president and chief executive officer at Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH). The Board of Commissioners has tapped current deputy executive director Rachel Gagnon as the interim chief executive officer. Her appointment is expected to be formalized at the next Board of Commissioners regular meeting.
Cintrón Vega is leaving LMH to lead the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver. Cintrón Vega, who has served as president and CEO of LMH since March 2020, will remain in his current role until Feb. 28.
“Joaquin’s leadership has been transformative for Lucas Metropolitan Housing, and we are grateful for his service,” said LMH Chairman Alisha Gant. “As we open a search for the next head of LMH, we are pleased to be able to provide continuity of leadership and have Rachel serve as the interim CEO. We are confident that she will continue to provide our communities with the highest level of service and guidance."
The search for LMH’s next CEO will begin immediately, Gant said.
"By establishing a shared vision of success, my team and our partners achieved remarkable feats, and I am really proud of our combined efforts," Cintrón Vega remarked. "One day at a time, we have turned many obstacles into possibilities while providing compassionate service. We have provided direct supportive services, a practical route to economic progress, and affordable, high-quality housing for the people we serve. I'm confident Rachel will carry on with that job, and LMH is lucky to have her."
Under the direction of Cintrón Vega, LMH received several honors, such as being designated a Financial Opportunity Center, winning three Ohio Auditor of the State Awards in a row and being recognized as one of Toledo's top workplaces.
Also under Cintrón Vega leadership, LMH strengthened its alliances, establishing the Thumbs Up program in conjunction with United Way of Greater Toledo, formalizing a project labor agreement with the Northwest Ohio Building Trade Council and launching the Work Your Way Home program by utilizing its nonprofit affiliate Lucas Housing Services Corporation, to mention a few.
The acquisition of the new LMH headquarters, receiving high-performance designations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, increasing grant support, broadening the scope of community services and securing previously unheard-of capital financing to build housing in high-opportunity areas to enhance neighborhood conditions creating mixed-income communities of choice are just a few of the accomplishments that Cintrón Vega is leaving behind. These projects use money from the Continuum of Care, HOME funds, Community Development Block Grants, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Through the development projects it has in the works, LMH is currently positioned to offer stable homes to the elderly, families and young people.
Gagnon, who has been with LMH for two years, said she is ready to serve.
“I am excited to take on this new role to help LMH continue to enhance and improve affordable housing in Toledo,” said Gagnon. “I look forward to engaging with the Board, our partners and the residents of our communities to continue to make our mission and vision a reality."
Gagnon joined LMH as the chief of staff and later became the deputy executive director, responsible for oversight and executive-level leadership of the agency’s day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives. During her time at LMH, she has supported a vision to nurture creative partnerships by providing project management and supporting housing development deals aimed at serving transition-aged youth, families and elderly households.
Gagnon has devoted her career to advocating for inclusive housing developments and rebuilding response systems to effectively serve community members in need. She believes housing is a fundamental right for all individuals and is grateful to be part of LMH, an organization whose mission and values so closely align with her own.
A native Toledoan, Gagnon is a graduate of Ohio State University and Capital University Law School. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio and has devoted her career to serving the community through a variety of roles in the nonprofit and volunteer sectors. Before joining LMH, she served as the executive director of the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board and the chief operating officer at Sunshine Communities.
She was selected as a recipient of the Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo “Women Who Shine” award in 2023 and Toledo’s “20 Under 40” award in 2019 and participated in the 2022 Leadership Ohio cohort.
Gagnon is deeply involved in the community. She volunteers on several boards in Lucas County, including Open Table Toledo, Lucas County Children Services, Ohio Women’s Affordable Housing Network, Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board and Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
From Denver Housing Authority's press release:
The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) announced today that Joaquín Cintrón Vega has been selected to serve as DHA’s next Chief Executive Officer following a national search and multiple rounds of interviews.
“DHA is pleased to announce the hiring of Joaquín Cintrón Vega as its new CEO,” Grace Buckley, Chair of DHA’s Board of Commissioners said. “Joaquín is a seasoned housing leader who understands the critical role DHA plays in the community and is committed to fulfilling the vision and strategy the organization has adopted.”
Cintrón Vega has served as the President & Chief Executive Officer at Lucas Metropolitan Housing in Toledo, Ohio, since 2020. Prior to this, he served as the Director of the Public Housing Division in Miami Dade County. With more than two decades of experience, Cintrón Vega has established a distinguished career in the management of federal housing assistance programs and policy development.
“Making a difference in the lives of people is an honor, and I am thrilled to join DHA. I am excited to lead a team that has already done an outstanding job serving our community, and I look forward to contributing to our shared mission,” said Cintrón Vega.” Our focus is on developing stronger partnerships, fostering unity, and empowering individuals to cultivate shared aspirations. By transforming neighborhoods into thriving ecosystems of collective progress and opportunity, we can make a real difference in the lives of those we serve as we succeed in providing high-quality, affordable housing with responsive services, enabling people and communities to prosper.”
Cintrón Vega’s first day with DHA will be April 1, 2024.
From the Kitsap Sun:
A Warren Avenue property near downtown Bremerton, across from Kitsap Community Resources' home and once the site of three abandoned houses and a small commercial building, is now the site of an apartment building soon to become a Bremerton Housing Authority-owned housing option for disadvantaged young people.
The housing service provider will connect 18- to 24 year-olds who may be exiting foster care, homelessness or other precarious positions with housing that they may not be considered for otherwise, and pair that provision with on-site services. The project, called Evergreen Bright Start, will establish 24 of the 30 units in the 811 Warren Avenue apartment for subsidized housing and the other 6 for service provider offices.
The project saw its green light after the BHA received $6.5 million in grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce last week. Coupled with $4 million in grants from the City of Bremerton and Kitsap County and $200,000 from their own pot, the BHA secured funding to acquire the housing complex.
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The BHA’s campaign for a youth housing solution found its roots in a 2022 program, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), that connected young adults aging out of foster care with rental assistance vouchers.
FYI housed 16 young adults in Bremerton and four in other jurisdictions, but U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds cover only the voucher, excluding provision for housing navigation and case management. While Olive Crest, a BHA partner in the Evergreen Bright Start project, provided these services with supplemental funding from the County, certain disparities in housing for young adults came to light, said BHA executive director Jill Stanton.
“One of the challenges that we ran into was actually getting a landlord to accept the voucher for a person who had little to no rental history or credit history,” Stanton said. “This population is especially vulnerable, often falling prey to drug dealers and sexual exploitation, starting their journey into adulthood with fear and hopelessness.”
At a formative time in their lives that could be marked by college, exploration, early career and job preparation, young adults aging out of foster care and those facing other housing, mental health and substance abuse challenges can find themselves in dangerous situations.
“A lot of them do end up in homeless situations, unhoused or unsafe situations… so that's where we're trying to intervene so that that doesn't happen,” Stanton said. “It's really hard to provide services that really make a difference when someone doesn't have a safe place to live.
Harkening back to the aspirations of young adulthood, Stanton envisions young tenants at Evergreen Bright Start not only connecting with services, but also steeping themselves in a community of similarly aged-peers, to “have a space where they can experience a normal and supportive and loving environment, and camaraderie and friendship.”
Read the Kitsap Sun's article "Services and subsidized housing for young adults coming through Bremerton project."
From the Chicago Housing Authority's press release:
Chicago Housing Authority residents who participated in the “LevelUp” wealth-building program received their certificates of completion and celebrated economic power Saturday at a ceremony at the Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center.
CHA’s LevelUp provides financial incentives to participants as they reach their goals. Upon goal completion, specified amounts based on the goal are deposited into their LevelUp savings accounts. The savings are paid out within 60 days of program completion after participating 3-5 years.
The total payout among the 45 graduates Saturday was $296,262. Of that:
- 5 became homeowners
- 7 increased their credit score
- 3 transitioned off housing subsidy
- 1 obtained a master’s degree
- 2 obtained a bachelor’s degree
- 1 obtained an associate degree
- 8 completed a Training/Certificate/Certification Program
- All graduates maintained employment for at least 12 months
“We are proud of these 45 graduates who have sacrificed and saved as they embark on the realization of their dreams,” said CHA CEO Tracey Scott. “This program is about investing in yourself and building your personal power. We are proud of them for staying the course as CHA continues to lend its support to ensure participants of this program achieve their goals."
LevelUp participants receive monetary payouts for successfully completing milestones, such as earning a degree or starting a new career. The savings are set aside in an escrow account and the money accrued is disbursed at the time of successful completion of the five-year program. The money can then be used for whatever they choose, including down payments on homes or paying off debt.
From Opportunity Home San Antonio's press release:
The San Antonio Housing Facility Corporation, an Opportunity Home affiliate, was awarded a $50,000 grant from the John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation, a fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, to ensure completion of the Snowden Senior Apartments project by January 2025.
The first self-developed multi-family apartment project by the organization, Snowden will provide affordable housing options for older adults who earn between 0-30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). A community with 135 one-and-two-bedroom units for individuals 62 and older will be equipped with amenities such as a hair salon, beach entrance swimming pool, on-site walking trails and energy-efficient appliances.
“We are extremely grateful to the John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation for allocating funding towards this project — it validates our vision and the population it will serve,” said Susan Ramos-Sossaman, assistant director of Development Services and Neighborhood Revitalization. “It is rewarding and an accomplishment in itself having this be our first self-developed project.”
In October 2022, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) awarded a 9% tax credit allocation for Snowden. Snowden reflects a commitment to providing compassionate, equitable and vibrant communities where individuals can thrive and enjoy a healthy quality of life. Building new communities across the city exemplifies a partnership with the City of San Antonio to produce or preserve more than 14,000 rental units as part of their 10-year housing affordability plan.