Federal Policy Project

What is the Federal Policy Project?

In 2007, CHPC facilitated the creation of a statewide coalition of nonprofit and government interests focused on advocating for improved federal housing policy and funding. The California Housing Partnership Federal Policy Project (FPP) brings together housing authorities and local government leaders with tenant advocates and the vital nonprofit housing development and advocacy sector to find common ground and present a unified message to California’s Congressional representatives.

Who are the Members of the Federal Policy Project?

The FPP consists of housing authorities, regional housing coalitions and tenant advocates including:

• California Housing Authority Association
• Northern-Caifornia-Nevada chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
• Southern California chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
• Housing Authority Association of Southern California (HAASC);
• California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH)
• NonProfit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH)
• Southern California Association of NonProfit Housing (SCANPH)
• San Diego Housing Federation
• Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness (LACEH&H)

What We Have Done?

On June 18, 2007, approximately 65 leaders from California housing authorities, nonprofit housing organizations, tenant advocates, legal services and policy organizations met in San Francisco and on October 5, 2007, approximately 60 leaders from California housing authorities, nonprofit housing organizations, tenant advocates, legal services and policy organizations met in Los Angeles. Feedback from these summits was provided to the housing staff of key California Congressional leaders on the highest priority funding needs in the FY 2008 budget and policy changes for California.

In early 2008, CHPC worked with the leaders of the state’s housing authorities to develop a comprehensive position paper that, for the first time, reflects not only the funding and legislative priorities of California housing authorities but also the priorities of low income tenants and nonprofit housing advocates across the state. On April 1, 2008, 40 executive directors, commissioners and staff from California housing authorities presented this position paper to the offices of leading members of California’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. As a direct result of these visits, members of the California Congressional delegation publicly declared their support for bills to improve the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Section Eight Voucher programs and for increased funding for a variety of federal housing programs.

What Are the Current Issues?

The FPP focuses on policy and funding in the following areas: public housing, Project-Based Section 8 vouchers, renewal of federal Section 8 contracts, reform of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, and funding for a host of other programs important to California including: Sections 202, 811, 515, 521; Community Development Block Grants; HOME; McKinney programs; and Homeless Assistance Grants.

How Do I Get Involved?

• Sign up for the FPP email newsletter, Federal Policy Project Update.
• Attend the next Federal Housing Policy Summit.

To learn more, contact CHPC Preservation Program Manager, Elyse Perry, at eperry@chpc.net or 415-433-6804 x13.

Return to top ^