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The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities supports the nation's largest and most innovative housing authorities by advocating for the resources they need to solve local housing challenges and create communities of opportunity. More about CLPHA >

Advancing rental assistance reform: resources and sign-on letters

2013 Health Center and Public Housing Symposium - Jun. 4-6, Denver

CLPHA 2012 publication: Bringing Education Home: Housing Authorities and Learning Initiatives

Members Making News

The Atlanta Business League has presented Atlanta Housing Authority's Renée Glover with its “CEO of the Year” award. “As CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority, Renée Glover is lauded nationally for changing the model of public housing in Atlanta," says Leona Barr-Davenport, President & CEO of ABL. "By creating public private partnerships for housing developments, she demonstrates that she understands what it means to service the community and help uplift those that need it most.” (May 7)

Two redevelopment projects by the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, Westlawn Gardens and Lapham Park, were recognized as Top Projects by The Daily Reporter and Wisconsin Builder, which honor 30 notable projects each year throughout the state at their annual awards dinner. “It is a testament to the quality of work at the Housing Authority that its two largest development projects have both been recognized as Top Projects of the year,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “These awards affirm that the Housing Authority brings great value to our city and its residents.” (May 3)

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CLPHA Summer Meeting - Register Now

Online registration is now open for CLPHA's 2013 Summer Executive Directors Meeting, which will be held June 13-14 in Washington, DC. This event will feature two days of speakers, roundtables, and discussions addressing pressing issues in public and assisted housing policy. (Access requires member login) View full details >

Housing Authorities Lead the Response to the 'Quiet Crisis'

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission recently released recommendations for meeting our country’s housing challenges in its report, Housing America’s Future: New Directions for National Policy. CLPHA staff plan to respond to the recommendations that will most affect housing authorities. In this first response, Research and Policy Analyst Leah Staub addresses the growing need for housing and services that allow seniors to age in place. Projections that the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double between 2010 and 2040, growing to more than 90 million by 2060, twenty percent of whom will be older than 85—necessitate major changes in the way we operate as a nation, particularly in terms of housing. This “quiet crisis” is not only a matter of addressing our elders’ fundamental needs, but also a matter of public cost.

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Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez Introduces New Public Housing Legislation

On April 23, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) introduced three bills focused on the public housing program: the Safely Sheltering Victims Act of 2013, the Public Housing Disaster Preparedness Act of 2013, and the Raising Employment in Affordable Communities and Homes (REACH) Act of 2013. Co-sponsors on all three bills are Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Charles Rangel (D-NY), and Jose Serrano (D-NY). The bills have been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, and no further action has been taken at this time.

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Public housing is a multi-billion dollar asset that plays a crucial role in providing affordable housing and driving community revitalization. Home to three million working families, seniors, and people with disabilities, it occupies a unique place on the affordable housing spectrum.

The last 16 years have seen a sea change in this portfolio.

Innovative partnerships led by housing authorities have built thousands of new and renovated units of affordable housing, brought in billions of dollars in private investment, and sparked community revitalization across the country. As a result, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan has praised housing authorities as the most entrepreneurial and creative affordable housing developers in the country. The mixed finance approaches they have pioneered are now standard practice for virtually all affordable housing development.

In addition, housing authorities’ successful track record in creating jobs, and stimulating local economies, resulted in their being awarded $4 billion in the 2009 Recovery Act, essentially doubling their most recent annual appropriation.

But the scope of their work goes well beyond cutting-edge development. They are also playing a leading role in addressing broader problems: helping to close the educational achievement gap for low-income students; making sure seniors on fixed incomes can age in place; taking homes and whole communities green; helping families become self-sufficient.

Read more about the partnerships and programs that PHAs are using to transform neighborhoods, and improve lives.

Public Housing Authorities: Local Challenges. Innovative Solutions (PDF)-- a publication highlighting work in 16 communities

The Vital Link: Connecting Housing and Services (PDF)

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