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.
For media inquiries, please contact:
David Greer
Director of Communications
(202) 550-1381 or dgreer@clpha.org.
*Please let us know if you are working on deadline.
To view all of CLPHA's press releases, click here.
To view all of CLPHA's press statements, click here.
You can subscribe here to our biweekly newsletter, events invite list, and topic specific newsletters. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CLPHA. Or, send us an email with your interests and we would be happy to add you to our press lists.
Thanks again for your interest in CLPHA!
New Funds Will Develop and Sustain Public Housing Authority Initiatives to Improve Postsecondary Achievement for Low-Income Households
WASHINGTON (November 25, 2019) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, a housing advocacy organization and leader in efforts to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families, announced today that it has been awarded $300,000 from The Kresge Foundation to deepen connections between public housing authorities and their postsecondary education partners.
The three-year grant enables CLPHA to build on work that began last year, in partnership with The Kresge Foundation, to convene cross-sector housing and education partners who are collaborating to improve postsecondary achievement for students served by public housing authorities, including residents and housing insecure college students.
“Last year we showcased how these two sectors are working together to improve educational outcomes for low-income households. With generous funding from The Kresge Foundation, we will help more cross-sector partners develop and sustain their work,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “As a national organization representing 70 of the largest public housing authorities in the country, CLPHA is well-positioned to identify promising innovations and facilitate peer-learning among those doing the work with the goal to scale successful initiatives that can be replicated nationally. We are very grateful to The Kresge Foundation for its multi-year support of our work.”
With the funds, CLPHA, through its Housing Is Initiative, will establish a leadership institute for a cohort of public housing authority staff and their partners who demonstrate the experience and capacity for postsecondary collaboration. In addition to virtual meetings aimed at institutionalizing their cross-sector work, members of the cohort will travel for in-person site visits to learn about the different projects in the field.
“By supporting stronger partnerships between housing authorities and postsecondary stakeholders, CLPHA’s leadership institute will help increase college access and success for both public housing residents who have postsecondary aspirations but need support to realize their dreams, and current college students, whose housing insecurity threatens to derail their educational progress," said Bethany Miller, program officer with the Kresge Education Program.
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.
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative
The Housing Is Initiative, led by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step to improve life outcomes for low-income children, families, and seniors; CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative is based on the premise that sectors can better meet needs when they work together. Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on Twitter @housing_is.
About The Kresge Foundation
The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit kresge.org.
###
CLPHA Submits Public Comments Opposing HUD’s Dangerous Non-Citizen Proposal
HUD’s cruel proposal would force mixed-status families to decide between a roof for some, or homelessness for all.
WASHINGTON (July 9, 2019) – The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) today submitted public comments strongly opposing a proposal from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that seeks to eliminate mixed-status immigrant families from HUD-assisted housing, including 55,000 children who are either U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible for HUD assistance.
HUD’s proposal, published in the Federal Register on May 10 for a 60-day comment period, would reinterpret Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act to disallow anyone who cannot verify their immigration status from living in public housing or living in a market-rate apartment with a federal rental subsidy, even if their child or other family members are eligible for assistance. Under current law, rental assistance to these households is prorated and those ineligible for a subsidy pay their portion of the rent unassisted, often at market rates.
“HUD’s cruel proposal would force mixed-status families to decide between a roof for some, or homelessness for all,” said CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman. “This reversal of long-standing policy is antithetical to the mission of public housing, which is to provide safe, affordable housing to very low-income families.”
“We know that stable housing is a platform for improving life outcomes and a foundation for healthy communities. Yet, this proposal instills fear and distrust, and would divert scarce resources, exacerbate the already crisis levels of homelessness, and, in the end, would do nothing to make our communities safer or better off,” said Zaterman.
“HUD’s proposal is contrary to our mission. Our members feel strongly that this re-interpreted regulation is bad public policy and our comments on the proposed rule reflect this,” said Zaterman.
Read CLPHA’s public comments and previous statements on HUD’s non-citizen rule on the CLPHA website, clpha.org.
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.
###
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2019
CLPHA, Housing Experts Discuss Potential Dangers of HUD’s Proposed Housing Assistance Family Rule
A recording of the call is available HERE.
Washington, DC - Earlier today, immigration and housing experts gathered to address concerns regarding a recently proposed rule by the Trump administration that cruelly targets immigrant families to prevent them from receiving federal housing assistance. Experts discussed how the rule, which would affect about 25,000 households, would cruelly impact families of mixed-status.
The rule, the experts noted, would force families apart as they struggled to keep their current housing threatening many with homelessness, including the 55,000 children who are either U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible for housing benefits and who would be separated from their families
Below are quotes from today’s speakers.
Doug Guthrie, President and CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, said, “If this proposed rule change were to go through it would be devastating for Los Angeles families with mixed immigration status. It would impact as many as 11,600 individuals in assisted housing the majority of whom are young children who are American citizens and it would cost the housing authority millions of dollars. This would likely result in thousands of people becoming homeless at a time when homelessness is already a crisis in Los Angeles.”
Sunia Zaterman, Executive Director, Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, noted, “HUD’s proposal would force mixed status families to decide between a roof for some, or homelessness for all. This is antithetical to the mission of public housing, which is to provide safe, affordable housing to very low-income families. Instead, this proposal would exacerbate crisis levels of homelessness, divert scarce resources from already underfunded public housing authorities, and instill fear and distrust while doing nothing to make our communities safer or better off.”
Diane Yentel, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition, added, “The cruelty of Secretary Carson’s proposal is breathtaking, and the harm it would inflict on children, families and communities is severe,” said National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel. “Tens of thousands of deeply poor kids, mostly US citizens, could be evicted and made homeless by this proposal, and – by HUD’s own admission – there would be zero benefit to families on waiting lists. This proposal is another in a long line of attempts by the administration to instill fear in immigrants throughout the country. We will not stand for it.”
Arianna Cook-Thajudeen, Bank of America Legal Fellow, National Housing Law Project, said, “The National Housing Law Project opposes this proposed rule because it would have a detrimental impact on the housing stability of millions of families. The federal housing programs in particular serve as a lifeline for many families who are one step away from homelessness. What the Administration is doing is through this proposal is ruthless and reckless. We urge everyone to submit comments to HUD to oppose this rule by July 9th.”
Tory Gunsolley, President and CEO, Houston Housing Authority, remarked, “The current system works. Undocumented occupants are not receiving federal subsidies. The proposed regulations, on the other hand, would cause a needless increase in homelessness and cost the federal government more money. The proposed regulation would force HHA to be an extension of immigration enforcement, a role that does align with our mission to provide safe, affordable housing. It simply doesn't make sense to implement.”
###
The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.
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 intersect the housing field and other areas of critical importance such as health and education.
(Washington, D.C.) October 28, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement applauding President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better announcement this morning: “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities applauds President Biden’s announcement of a $1.85 trillion reconciliation framework with $150 billion targeted to affordable housing, the single largest investment in public housing ever. “For decades, millions of public housing residents have suffered from chronic disinvestment in their neighborhoods, exacerbating health, safety, climate risks, and racial inequities. The Build Back Better Act is historic and transformational in its comprehensive long-term approach by making public housing safe and sustainable for generations to come and significantly expanding rental and homeownership assistance. Stable, affordable housing is foundational to the health and economic well-being of all Americans and to our nation as a whole. This unprecedented and long overdue investment in the preservation and expansion of affordable housing, coupled with the Build Back Better Act’s other investments such as universal prekindergarten, the child tax credit, and climate change remediation, will have an historic impact on reducing poverty and improving the climate. “The Biden administration is delivering on a promise that has been decades in the making. CLPHA strongly supports the Building Back Better Act as a history-making investment in public housing and expanding housing opportunities.”
|
|
|
(202) 550-1381
For Immediate Release
October 28, 2021 |
|
||
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
|
|
(Washington, D.C.) October 1, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement urging Congress not to cut proposed funding for public housing and rental assistance in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill:
“The transformational Build Back Better Act, proposed by President Biden and currently moving through Congress, will significantly expand the nation’s social safety net by providing safe, quality, and affordable housing to millions of low-income and marginalized families. The $90 billion in expanded rental assistance, $80 billion to preserve public housing, and $37 billion investment in the national Housing Trust Fund that passed the House Financial Services Committee in mid-September represents a significant step forward in federal funding for public and affordable housing. These funding levels are appropriate and justified as they finally make up for generations of chronic neglect and underfunding. For this reason, as negotiations about the size of the reconciliation bill move forward, CLPHA urges Congress to retain the funding levels for expanding rental assistance, preserving public housing, and investing in the nation’s Housing Trust Fund.
“Public and affordable housing has suffered under persistent disinvestment for decades. This has left public housing authorities unable to complete capital improvements, which has helped contribute to the loss of 400,000 affordable homes since 1990. Currently only 1 out of every 4 families who are eligible to receive a Housing Choice Voucher are able to access the program because of a lack of funding. This inadequacy of federal resources not only perpetuates the cycle of poverty, but also costs the American economy about $2 trillion every year in lower wages and productivity because of a shortage of affordable housing in major metropolitan areas.
“CLPHA thanks Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters, and Senate Housing, Banking, and Urban Chair Sherrod Brown for championing housing throughout their careers and during the negotiations over the Build Back Better reconciliation process. Now Congress must commit to fully funding public and affordable housing at the levels in the House Financial Services Committee bill.”
|
||
(202) 550-1381
|
|
||
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
||
(Washington, D.C.) September 14, 2021 -- Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Executive Director Sunia Zaterman released the following statement supporting President Biden’s nomination of Arthur Jemison to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): “The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) congratulates Arthur Jemison on his nomination to be Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Jemison brings deep experience to the assistant secretary position in community development and public housing, including experience with the Boston Housing Authority, a CLPHA member.
We look forward to working with Mr. Jemison to ensure that the vision of President Biden and Secretary Fudge for improving public housing through recapitalizing the public housing portfolio, expanding the Housing Choice Voucher program, addressing systemic racism, and empowering cross-sector partnerships to improve the outcomes for low-income families becomes a reality. CLPHA will strongly support Mr. Jemison throughout the confirmation process.”
Media Contact: David Greer, CLPHA; dgreer@clpha.org, (202) 550-1381 |
|
|
|
|
||
About the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities
About CLPHA’s Housing Is Initiative |
On May 21, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, testified before the House Financial Services Committee at a hearing entitled “Housing in America: Oversight of the U.S. Department of Housing and Development” where he received pointed questions from the committee Democrats on recent HUD proposals such as rent reform, the non-citizen rule, and HUD’s FY20 budget request which would slash funding for public housing.
In her opening remarks, Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) expressed her disappointment in the Secretary’s leadership at HUD, referring to his rent reform proposal as an “outrageous plan” that would “triple rent for the lowest income households and put 1.7 million Americans at risk of eviction and homelessness at a time when we are in the midst of a national homelessness and housing affordability crisis.”
Waters also admonished the Secretary for the Department’s budget proposal that would cut its budget by 18 percent and eliminate new funding for the capital fund and housing trust fund, halt the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule implementation, and delay disaster recovery funding for Puerto Rico. Referring to the proposed non-citizen rule as “cruel” and one that, “puts mixed immigration status families at risk of being evicted, separated, and left homeless,” Waters concluded that these actions are inconsistent with the Department’s mission.
Continuing the focus on recent HUD proposals, several Democrats expressed their outrage to Carson over the rent reform and non-citizen proposals. Reps. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), were among those who challenged the Department’s assertion that removing mixed-status families from HUD-assisted housing would reduce waiting lists and help address the lack of affordable housing.
Carson defended the proposed rule by stating that the current interpretation of the statute unfairly allows undocumented immigrants to live in federally assisted housing at the expense of U.S. citizens. “It’s not that we’re cruel or mean-hearted, it’s that we’re logical,” he said. “This is common sense. You take care of your own first.”
Velazquez also reproved Carson for acknowledging the affordable housing crisis while at the same time eliminating the capital fund, referring to HUD’s budget proposal as “shameful and immoral.”
In contrast to the frustrated tone of their colleagues, Republican committee members generally expressed support for Carson’s proposals and asked about issues such as impediments to affordable housing construction, opportunity zones, recent changes to FHA loan program rules, and disaster recovery.
When discussing options for increasing affordable housing production, Secretary Carson touted LIHTC, RAD, and the potential for combining those programs with opportunity zone tax incentives to engage in unprecedented opportunities to build affordable housing and create economic opportunities. Calling RAD one of the most spectacular HUD programs, he said that lifting the RAD cap would be tremendously helpful.
Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Rep. Al Green (D-TX) both raised concerns with the cumbersome CDBG-DR disbursement process and asked the Secretary what could be done to provide, or codify, a framework that would speed delivery of aid to areas impacted by natural disasters. In his response, the Secretary expressed concerns with the duplicative requirements across HUD and FEMA and said that there are ways to streamline the process that can, and should, be codified to ensure grant dollars can be disbursed more expediently.
Several committee members focused their questions on Housing Choice Vouchers and landlords’ unwillingness to consider applicants who use them. Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) asked the Secretary whether a federal law prohibiting source of income discrimination is needed to increase lease-up rates and ensure that families can put their voucher to use. Carson responded that the Department is looking at impediments to people accepting vouchers, and if after going through that evaluation process the problem continues, then a federal source of income discrimination law may be needed.
When asked about his legacy at HUD, Secretary Carson said that he hoped the Department would be known for putting people on a positive trajectory. And, if given a magic wand to implement any policy possible, Carson said he would “make this country stop hating each other. We’d get a whole lot done.”
In Affordable Housing Finance's (AHF) article discussing Rep. Maxine Waters' (D-CA) draft legislation of her Housing is Infrastructure bill, CLPHA's Sunia Zaterman told reporter Donna Kimura that Waters' bill, which would allocate $70 billion for the public housing capital fund, is attempting to get the public housing industry "on an even keel."
Zaterman told Kimura, “We do have challenges moving forward in the appropriations process on the annual funding levels for public housing operating and capital funds, but what Ms. Waters is saying in this bill is that we can no longer stand by idly and watch this public investment start to crumble when we need it the most.”
Zaterman added that Congress must also consider expanding additional tools that PHAs can employ in their public housing development and renovation efforts, such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs).
AHF also quoted Zaterman's April 30 press statement on Waters' draft legislation and the House Committee on Financial Services April 30 hearing “Housing in America: Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of America’s Housing Stock":
“Public housing is as a much a part of the national infrastructure as Route 66, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Hoover Dam,” said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. “Public housing helps communities and families thrive by providing more than 1 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,” Zaterman added.
In Affordable Housing Finance's article "Turning Point for Public Housing," CLPHA' Executive Director Sunia Zaterman says of the massive capital needs backlog facing public housing authorities that “[t]he handwriting has been on the wall. The funding levels were not sustainable."
Zaterman adds, "We have lost about 10,000 units a year from underfunding," but that "[t]he number of public housing units lost may have slowed to about 8,000 a year, thanks to RAD, in the last couple of years.”
With RAD, says Zaterman, “[w]e have achieved proof of concept,... We could have the portfolio totally recapitalized in 10 years.”
Read Affordable Housing Finance's article here.
Vancouver, WA newspaper The Columbian quoted CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman about the disastrous effect President Trump's budget proposal would have on pubic and affordable housing in their article "Trump’s budget would cut social safety nets:"
"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."
Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) Executive Director Roy Johnson, who contributed comment for the story, explained how Trump's proposed budget would negatively impact the individuals and families served by VHA. Johnson told the paper that losing public housing funding would result in 114 planned units losing subsidy, including Caples Terrace, an under-construction project in Vancouver for homeless youth and youth aging out of foster care slated to open in July, and two other public housing projects the housing authority hopes to start at the end of 2019.
Read Zaterman's full statement on Trump's proposed 2020 budget
Scotsman Guide, a resource for mortgage originators, quoted CLPHA Executive Director Sunia Zaterman about how President Donald Trump's proposed FY 2020 budget will affect affordable housing in their article "2020 budget: How does it affect the mortgage industry?":
“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,” said Sunia Zaterman..."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."
Read Zaterman's full statement on Trump's proposed 2020 budget
We are pleased to announce that the Gary Housing Authority has become a member of CLPHA!
The Gary Housing Authority provides rental assistance to over 3,000 households in Gary, Indiana. Taryl Bonds serves as the agency's Executive Director/CEO. Learn more at garyhousing.org.
Please join us in welcoming GHA to CLPHA – we look forward to working together to improve life outcomes for families served by PHAs!
After 36 years at the St. Paul Public Housing Agency, Jon Gutzmann retired from SPPHA on April 5, 2024. In his retirement statement, Mr. Gutzmann said, "This is the most meaningful work of my life. I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having been given this opportunity to serve our St. Paul community." Read more about Mr. Gutzmann's remarkable accomplishments at SPPHA here.
SPPHA announced that Louise Toscano Seeba, the agency's deputy executive director and general counsel, has been named executive director. Ms. Seeba joined the SPPHA as General Counsel in 2012, under the PHA’s contract with the City Attorney’s office. In that role she provided oversight for the PHA’s legal team, and provided legal advice and guidance to the PHA’s Board of Commissioners, Executive Director, and staff regarding local, state, and federal laws affecting the Agency. In 2018, and in addition to serving as General Counsel, Ms. Seeba took on the role of PHA Deputy Executive Director, still as an employee of the City Attorney’s office. Read more about Ms. Seeba here.
CLPHA wishes Mr. Gutzmann a happy retirement, and congratulates Ms. Seeba on her new role!
From the San Diego Housing Commission's press release:
Nestor Senior Village, a development in collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) that celebrated its grand opening today, is a source of hope for seniors who experienced homelessness, such as Teretha, one of the first residents at the newly constructed apartments.
“I have my own space again where I can cook for myself, where I can take a shower with warm running water, where I can have a bed that I can sleep comfortably on—a place where I feel safe. Things can only go up from here,” said Teretha, who said she was unhoused from December 2022 to January 2024 and lived in her car, contributing to health issues she experienced.
Nestor Senior Village provides 73 affordable rental housing units near transit in the Nestor community along with supportive services for seniors ages 55 and older who experienced homelessness or were at risk of homelessness.
“This is not the first time we’ve been in Nestor, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa—where these communities say, ‘Yes,’” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “You deserve high-quality housing. This is a beautiful project. Would you agree? I think it’s worthy of this great neighborhood.”
The studio units at Nestor Senior Village, developed by National Community Renaissance (National CORE), will remain affordable for 55 years for seniors with income up to 30 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI), currently $28,950 per year for a one-person household. The City of San Diego waived more than $1.2 million in development impact fees for the development.
“It’s important to note that Nestor Senior Village is not just a housing complex, but it’s really a one-stop shop to help seniors get resources. And this project is an example that when we come together, great things can happen,” said City Councilmember Vivian Moreno, whose district includes Nestor Senior Village. “Today is a great day for the City of San Diego, and I think it’s an even greater day for the community of Nestor.”
County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services will be the lead service provider for residents of 35 units, and the County awarded $7.5 million through the No Place Like Home program to support the development. The County administers State No Place Like Home funds, which support permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness who need mental health services.
“We live in the fourth-largest economy in the world, and knowing that our seniors continue to be the greatest number of folks who are heading into homelessness is something that I think is just not acceptable,” County of San Diego Chair of the Board of Supervisors Nora Vargas said. “Today, to know that we’re going to have the 73 homes and that out of those, 35 of those units will be for the folks that are specifically on the No Place Like Home program, to me, that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be doing—collaborating, partnering.”
SDHC awarded 73 rental housing vouchers to help Nestor Senior Village residents pay their rent and a $3.3 million loan toward the Nestor Senior Village development. The vouchers are tied to the development. When a resident moves on, the voucher remains to help another senior experiencing homelessness. The loan consists of federal and local funds SDHC administers:
- $2 million from HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded to the City of San Diego; and
- $1.3 million from the City of San Diego Affordable Housing Fund.
“In every crisis, you need a collaboration. And this is a great example of what happens when you collaborate and you see various entities and people committed to helping lean in,” SDHC Chair of the Board of Commissioners Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell said. “Often at our Commission hearings, there are tears from the Board members because it’s hard for us because we want to go faster and be more impactful. Today, the tears are tears of joy because I know what’s going to happen inside of this building is nothing but awesome.”
National CORE developed Nestor Senior Village on land it is ground leasing for 90 years from Nestor United Methodist Church.
“One of the benefits of partnering with Nestor United Methodist Church and other churches in San Diego is that it connects our residents directly with a built-in community,” National CORE Vice President John Seymour said. “We will continue to work with churches, the City and the County and continue to build affordable housing, especially for our seniors.”
“The church is very happy to have you and our community and our citizens residing with us,” said Jim Geddes, former Chair of the Nestor United Methodist Church Board of Trustees.
Nestor Senior Village residents are identified through the Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ Coordinated Entry System, a regional system that allows homeless housing providers to screen individuals experiencing homelessness for the most appropriate housing options based on who is most in need. All the units at the development are leased up.
All on-site services will be coordinated by the Hope Through Housing Foundation, a National CORE affiliate. Father Joe’s Villages is the lead service provider for residents of the 38 units not served by County Behavioral Health Services. Additional service providers include Alpha Project Tenant Peer Support Services, San Ysidro Health, San Diego Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Casa Familiar.
“Our work here at Nestor Senior Village, all of us together, is to create a community that provides services to empower our residents to achieve their goals while staying housed,” said Stephanie De La Torre, Regional Director of the Hope Through Housing Foundation.
From Boston Housing Authority's press release:
March 27, 2024 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu joined Boston Housing Authority Administrator Kenzie Bok to welcome home the new residents and celebrate the opening of 34 East Springfield Street, a 100% affordable veteran housing community located in the heart of Boston’s South End neighborhood. The house warming celebration marks the transformation of a formerly vacant, four-unit Boston Housing Authority Public Housing property into five deeply affordable, one-bedroom apartments for formerly homeless veterans.
"Today, we’re here to celebrate a win for Boston’s homeless veterans, and to welcome five new residents into their homes,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “This project restores a historic South End Brownstone and gives its residents the housing stability and supportive services that they need to thrive here in Boston."
"As part of an effort to ensure that all of our veterans are stably housed, the Mayor’s Office of Housing was pleased to partner with the Boston Housing Authority and MPZ Development, on the redevelopment of 34 East Springfield Street,” said Sheila Dillon, Boston's Chief of Housing. “We want to extend a warm welcome to the veterans who are moving into these beautiful South End homes."
In May of 2020, affordable housing developer MPZ Development LLC (MPZ) was selected by the Boston Housing Authority to lead the redevelopment of 34 East Springfield Street. MPZ was tasked with balancing the principles of affordability, historic preservation, and accessibility through the design, development and construction process.
34 East Springfield is a 150-year-old brick rowhouse acquired by the Boston Housing Authority as Federal Public Housing in the 1980s and operated as public housing until a fire fifteen years ago.
“Today’s grand opening of 34 East Springfield St. is a major achievement and represents a critical commitment to building affordable housing for veterans at risk of homelessness,” said Mathieu Zahler, Principal of MPZ Development LLC. “Through great collaboration, we have transformed a once vacant and blighted building into a place where its residents can not only live but thrive. I’m thrilled to deliver this project with our many project partners to the South End neighborhood and look forward to seeing the impact it makes within the community."
34 East Springfield Street was funded through a mix of state, local, and private funding sources, including HOME funding through The City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing. Other funders include the Neighborhood Housing Trust, The Boston Housing Authority and Dedham Institution for Savings and the purchase of State and Federal Historic Tax Credits by members of the Grossman Family. The units will be permanently affordable thanks to the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program which provides Project Based Vouchers for all five apartments, as well as ongoing supportive services for the residents.
34 East Springfield Street’s residents enjoy immediate proximity and access to a wide array of community services including Boston Medical Center and other healthcare facilities, the MBTA Silver Line and nearby grocery and dining options.
“I am blessed to be a part of this opportunity that is giving me the platform to affordably live comfortably in a community alongside other veterans,” said Anthony Magnole, a resident at 34 East Springfield St. “I’m incredibly grateful to leverage this chance to progress towards my goals."
The redevelopment was supported by the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association and the project abutters. The project abutters at 32 East Springfield Street collaborated closely with MPZ, with all three condo owners in the building agreeing to temporarily relocate for a period of time and to reconstruct 32 East Springfield’s façade.
MPZ worked with The Narrow Gate Architecture, Epsilon Associates and ZVI Construction to meticulously preserve and restore important historic features of this mid-19th century Italianate-style rowhouse, which is included in the South End National Historic District. Simultaneously, MPZ made necessary and important modernization and accessibility updates to 34 East Springfield Street, allowing its veteran residents to live comfortably and sustainably in the 100% electric, solar-ready building with green upgrades included throughout.
“This affordable housing development for veterans in the South End meets a critical need,” said Doug Shaw, Executive Vice President & Senior Lending Officer at Dedham Savings. “As a community bank, Dedham Savings is proud to support such a project that further strengthens the local community."
“We’re excited to see this vacant space come to life in such a meaningful way and are pleased to fund such an important project for the City of Boston,” said Martin Connors, First Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Lending at Dedham Savings.
“The Grossman Family was thrilled to be a small part of this wonderful project which has restored beauty to a historic building, provided affordable homes for our valued Veterans, and proved that hard work by a passionate and committed developer who overcame many unanticipated challenges is well worth the time and effort required for the success of this project,” said Louis Grossman, a historic tax credit investor.
“Collaborations like this between HUD, VA, the City of Boston and private sector partners like MPZ Development are helping ensure Veterans have a safe place to call home,” said Vincent Ng, director of VA Boston Healthcare System. “That foundation combined with ongoing support from HUD-VASH staff can have a life-changing and lasting impact on Veterans’ lives.”
From Affirmed Housing's press release:
Affirmed Housing, a leading provider of affordable, multifamily housing throughout California, announces the completion of 79 homes at Vitalia, a new, affordable and supportive housing development located at 3100 S. Bascom Avenue in San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood. A grand opening ceremony was held on March 29 to mark this achievement, with Mayor Matt Mahan, Councilmember Pam Foley, Supervisor Susan Ellenberg and Supervisor Sylvia Arenas in attendance.
“Oftentimes we forget that some of the residents who qualify for affordable housing are our students, teachers, seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and those who were formerly unhoused,” said Councilmember Foley. “Access to affordable housing is a significant step in the right direction toward ensuring that these individuals and many others have safe, stable options to call home. This new housing community is a welcoming, vibrant space and is a testament to the positive changes we see happening in our community.”
“Vitalia is the foundation for a new beginning and a brighter future for its residents, and it raises the bar of what it means to develop meaningful housing resources for those who have the biggest need,” said Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Susan Ellenberg. “Ensuring housing security is the best investment we can make for the people of Santa Clara. This sustainably minded project not only puts a roof over many of our hard-working citizens, but it also provides supportive services and care to help them gain stability and live to their fullest potential.”
Vitalia is a five-story, GreenPoint Rated Platinum development delivering a mixture of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom new homes for low-income and formerly unhoused families and individuals. Nearly half are reserved for supportive housing with the remaining homes designated for households earning up to 60 percent of the County Area Median Income (AMI).
“Vitalia prioritizes the health and well-being of the County’s most vulnerable populations, who deserve to live with dignity. More than just having a roof over their heads, they deserve a safe, clean place that they can be proud to call home and where they can thrive,” said Rob Wilkins, Affirmed Housing’s Vice President of Northern California. “We are proud to have partnered with the County, City, and VA to bring this project to fruition.”
Vitalia’s design prioritizes residents’ long-term health and independent living. The all-electric building incorporates several sustainable elements, such as Energy Star appliances and rooftop solar panels. Security features, including surveillance cameras and onsite management, are integrated into the development to help ensure the health and safety of its tenants. Vitalia’s onsite amenities include an interior courtyard, a community and computer room, a large outdoor deck, and a community garden. An underground garage accommodates 40 parking stalls, and three additional stalls are accessible at grade level. Its location in a High Resource Area supports easy access to local amenities, including grocery stores, a hospital, pharmacies, schools and public transportation.
To finance Vitalia, Affirmed Housing obtained $15.8 million in Santa Clara County Measure A funds and a $36 million construction and permanent loan from U.S. Bank. Boston Financial Investment Management provided $40 million in tax credit equity through the sale of the project’s state and federal tax credits. Additional support for Vitalia was provided in the form of project-based vouchers from the Santa Clara County Housing Authority and Department of Veterans Affairs. Housing Trust Silicon Valley also provided a $7.7 million acquisition loan.
“The Bay Area is one of the most expensive places in the country to live. That is why it is so critically important that we continue to invest robustly in affordable housing across this region. We are honored to have provided early-stage financing for Vitalia,” said Noni Ramos, CEO at Housing Trust Silicon Valley. “As a nonprofit financial intermediary, Housing Trust’s mission is to use public and private partnerships to create more equitable and affordable communities. We value our partnership with Affirmed Housing.”