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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 the Vancouver Housing Authority:
When Roy Johnson became Vancouver Housing Authority’s leader in February of 2008, the Clark County (and national) housing landscape looked vastly different than it does today. So much has changed. So much has been built and funded and created in the last 16 years. Not to mention, housing has gotten a lot more expensive, making the agency’s work even more crucial.
Johnson learned to be a persistent advocate for building more affordable housing.
“If not for us, it might not get done so we have to do it,” he said.
What stood out to Johnson during his tenure was the first of their kind projects. Lincoln Place, which opened in 2016, marked the agency’s first housing first project, bringing much-needed supportive housing and services to those experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. (The agency looks to build on the success of Lincoln Place and the lessons learned from this first project with Lincoln Place 2.)
Caples Terrace and Nám'u qas, built in 2019 and 2023 respectively, both serve youth aging out of foster care and homeless youth — a population the housing authority hadn’t targeted before. These communities ensure young people get on a path to independence and success.
Tenny Creek, an assisted living facility for homeless people with health issues that opened in 2022, was the first of its kind not just in Clark County but in the entire state.
In 2023, Johnson launched the Clark County Affordable Homeownership Program. He pulled together nonprofits, financial institutions and other partners in an effort to make homeownership more obtainable.
Johnson said the vast amount of collaboration in Clark County made these projects possible; it’s why the area punches above its weight when it comes to boosting affordable housing. VHA’s designation as a Moving to Work Agency was what initially drew him to work here.
“It made our programs more adaptable to the actual housing economy in Clark County,” Johnson said.
And the community’s needs have shifted toward more supportive housing. Some Clark County residents with behavioral health challenges need extra support and services to help them maintain their housing. When Johnson started in 2008, supportive housing wasn’t yet part of the conversation. Likewise, he’s expanded the services provided to tenants that help them address hurdles after they’re housed.
Andy Silver, who became CEO when Johnson retired, watched Johnson will things into existence whether it was a new building, program or funding source.
“Somehow it leads to a groundbreaking ceremony or a new service – name your project,” Silver said. The community is much better off for the work Johnson’s done, he said.
Johnson attributes his success to having a talented, supportive board and staff.
“You can do pretty remarkable things when you have the support of others and that’s been present here,” Johnson said.
Between January of 2008 and December of 2023, Roy Johnson . . .
- Completed a total of 19 different affordable housing projects (more than one per year), representing:
- 41 buildings
- 825,289 total square feet
- 863 affordable housing/subsidized units
- Projects include LIHTC units; Section 8 subsidized; age 62+ housing; public housing that is now being converted to PBV and TBV housing; and the 31st Street Tiny Homes. Many of these projects are a mix of market rent and subsidized or LIHTC housing.
From Atlanta Housing's press release:
The Atlanta Housing (AH) Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Terri M. Lee as the agency's new president and CEO today, Wednesday, January 24. In this role, Lee will manage overall operations and establish strategic direction in alignment with the AH's mission to open doors to safe, quality affordable housing and create opportunities for economic mobility for Atlanta residents. Lee will also support the acceleration of Mayor Andre Dickens' goal of building and preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing.
A nationally recognized affordable housing executive and advocate with a proven track record of more than 25 years of service, Lee previously served as chief operating officer for AH since 2020, where she oversaw a $452M budget and guided daily operations. Prior to her service with AH, she served as the City of Atlanta's first chief housing officer after serving as deputy commissioner of the Department of City Planning for ten years.
"On behalf of the AH board, we're excited to officially approve and welcome Terri Lee as our new president and CEO," said Larry Stewart, chairman of the Atlanta Housing Board of Commissioners. "I've had the pleasure of working with Terri over the past eight years at the City of Atlanta and Atlanta Housing in advocating and implementing the vision of the past three mayors. I'm extremely confident in her ability to continue the momentum as we uphold the standards of excellence and innovation Atlanta Housing is known for in the housing industry and expand Mayor Dickens' commitment to housing affordability in Atlanta."
Outgoing President and CEO Eugene Jones, Jr. reaffirmed his support of Lee. "I've made it no secret that I wanted my chief operating officer to succeed me," said Jones. "During her tenure as COO, Terri spearheaded the agency's five-year strategic plan. Her leadership and commitment to building healthy, thriving neighborhoods cements her capability to move this agency forward. Terri has been an invaluable member of Atlanta Housing's leadership team, and I am honored to support her appointment as the new president and CEO of the agency."
As Chief Housing Officer for the City of Atlanta, Lee developed the One Atlanta Housing Affordability Action Plan to mobilize $1B from private, philanthropic, and public sources to create and preserve affordable housing. She helped oversee the distribution of more than $11M in COVID-19 emergency relief aid to support approximately 2,000 residents within a span of four months. Prior to Atlanta, Lee also served in housing and development roles in the City of Jackson, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Grambling State University with a Bachelor's in Public Administration and obtained a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University. A member of several boards, Lee currently serves as an Executive Board Member and Trustee for Public Housing and Directors Association. In addition, she serves on the board of the Urban Land Institute's Livable Communities Council and District Council, HouseATL, and the City of Atlanta Housing Commission.
"Terri Lee is an exceptional leader with a long and distinguished career in affordable housing. Her extensive knowledge of housing policy, operations, and a deep connection to residents and love for Atlanta make her the right person at the right time to lead Atlanta Housing," said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. "Both I and members of my Administration look forward to working closely with her to accelerate my goal of building and preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing in eight years. Thank you to the Search Selection Committee, its Chair Duriya Farooqui, and the AH Board of Commissioners for leading a thorough and professional process. Together, with Terri, the Board of Commissioners, the incredible team at AH and my entire housing team, we will continue to move with the needed absolute urgency to build a more affordable Atlanta."
"I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of Atlanta Housing at this pivotal time. As housing affordability continues to be a national issue, it will take innovative approaches and partnerships to make the progress Atlantans deserve," said President and CEO Terri Lee. "I look forward to working alongside our Board of Commissioners, Mayor Andre Dickens, our community partners and outstanding staff to maintain the momentum of Atlanta Housing's continued transformation."
In this month’s HUD Choice Neighborhoods Newsletter Spotlight, learn how Atlanta Housing built relationships with families and partnered with their local school district to offer tailored educational supports to its Choice Neighborhoods residents to help bridge the gap between home and school.
From Atlanta Housing's press release:
Santa kept his promise for more than 650 Atlanta Housing-assisted children who received a Christmas gift from their wish lists at the Santa For a Day three-day gift distribution event, which started Monday and ended today. Atlanta Housing’s partnership with Santa For a Day has served more than 4,600 children since its inception four years ago. This year’s campaign began in October with a letter-writing event where children were assisted with writing letters to Santa and decorating ornaments.
At this week’s event, more than 200 books were distributed through the Book Rich Environments (BRE) Program. Today marked the culmination of this year’s program, as Atlanta Housing (AH) staff and volunteers distributed gifts to hundreds of AH-assisted children from their Christmas wish lists over the course of three days at the Zell Miller Center for Human Excellence. “Atlanta Housing is proud to once again partner with Santa for a Day to bring cheer and hope to hundreds of Atlanta youth,” said Eugene E. Jones, Jr., president and CEO of AH. Jones forged the partnership between the two organizations and sits on the board of Santa for a Day. “This remarkable program provides more than holiday cheer and gifts to children; it also builds letter-writing and communication skills that can last a lifetime.”
Santa For a Day helps corral generous individual contributions from donors across the country to create magic for children and their families. With a mission to spread hope while teaching childhood literacy through the power of the pen, the program allows participants to author a positive narrative, sparked by optimism and the vision of a bright future, and reward their efforts by translating their wishes into reality.
“We’re thrilled that Santa For a Day has partnered with Atlanta Housing for the fourth consecutive year teaming up to make a real impact together. Our seasonal gift-giving, year-round literacy-related programs, and vital needs resourcing, actively help transform more the lives of so many young people,” said Rich Gentile, founder of Santa For a Day. “This collaboration works so well because at Santa For A Day, our mission – to provide holiday joy, to inspire hope, to model kindness, and to foster literacy amongst children who need it most – aligns so well with Atlanta Housing’s overarching mission, and we could not be more grateful for their partnership.”
AH is proud of its association with Santa For a Day, which supports AH-assisted children year-round through literacy programs and services.
From WAVE 3 News Louisville:
Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Louisville native Elizabeth Strojan will become the Executive Director of the Louisville Metro Housing Authority.
As the Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Administration & External Affairs at the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Stojan works to create and preserve affordable housing for New Yorkers.
“Elizabeth Strojan is a rising star in the nationwide affordable housing industry, and we are incredibly fortunate she has chosen to come home to Louisville and lead LMHA,” Greenberg said. “Having the right leader at LMHA can make the difference between an organization that misses opportunities and one that innovates. She will bring every possible tool to improving conditions as a landlord, efficiently administering LMHA’s rental assistance, and becoming a key partner to Metro’s broader affordable housing efforts.”
She will enter her new role in early 2024, taking over a department that administers nearly 16,000 affordable housing units citywide with more than 250 employees and a nearly $40 million annual operating budget.
“Having a safe, stable home you can afford is truly the foundation for everything in life, and that is why I’ve dedicated my career to bringing quality, affordable housing within reach of more people,” Strojan said. “I want to thank Mayor Greenberg for trusting me to lead LMHA and bring people together to make the future brighter for its residents. I am thrilled to be coming back home to Louisville, and I can’t wait to join the incredible team at LMHA.”
Watch the City of Louisville's press conference on WAVE 3 News' website.