News & Advocacy

June 30, 2010 Press Release

St. Paul Public Housing Agency Wins HUD's "High Performer" Ratings - Again, Also Recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) again earned HUD's top performance ratings for administering the Public Housing program and the Housing Choice Voucher program for its last fiscal year, ending March 31, 2010. This marks the PHA's 20th consecutive year of "High Performer" recognition for public housing and its 9th year for housing vouchers. Full Text >

June 30, 2010 Press Release

Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) Receives $198,657 for New Housing Vouchers for Homeless Veterans

The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency will receive 25 vouchers worth almost $200,000 annually to help homeless veterans find housing. The vouchers are part of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing ("VASH") Program through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Congress approved $75 million for the program in the HUD budget for this year. Each voucher is worth about $7,500 and provides rental assistance for housing for a homeless veteran and family members. Full Text >

May 26, 2010 Board Actions

On May 26, 2010, the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) Board of Commissioners approved the following actions: Lighting Upgrades at multiple hi-rises, Refrigerator Replacement at Central, Neill and Ravoux hi-rises, and Security Guard and Training Services at Central Administrative Office. Copies of these Board reports are available here ...Link >

Board Actions Archive

View past Board Actions ... Link >

February 10, 2010 letter from Executive Director Jon Gutzmann to HUD Secretary Donovan

Re: HUD-Imposed Financial Disincentives for Making "Green" Capital Improvements

I am asking for your immediate help to remove the financial disincentives HUD imposes on PHA's that make energy saving capital improvements. This situation can only be seen as ironic and frankly a little embarrassing for HUD, given allt he pronouncements and guidance around the "greening" of public housing

The problem: Financial disincentives for conservation at PHAs exist under HUD's Operating Fund formula because PHAs are not allowed to keep the long-term cost savings that result from making energy saving capital improvements. (PHAs do retain 100% of the energy savings the first year, 75% of the savings the second year, and 50% of the savings the third year. However after three years, the PHAs operating fund subsidy is reduced one dollar for every energy dollar saved.)

In other words, under the current formula, if PHAs are less energy efficient, they receive more subsidy. When PHAs decide to become more energy efficient, HUD keeps most of the energy savings. This does not make sense, Mr. Secretary ... Full text >

May 28, 2009 Press Event

Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) hosts press event to announce contract awards of over $11 Million in Recovery Act and other capital funding.

"We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul PHA has awarded 100% of the federal Recovery Act funding made available to it on March 17, 2009 ... just over 9 weeks ago! --Jon Gutzmann, Saint Paul PHA Executive Director, May 28, 2009

The PHA hosted a press event at the McDonouth Homes Community Center to announce that it had obligated over $11 million in Recovery Act and other Capital Funding. The PHA is using the funds to complete major modernization work in public housing that was already underway, and to improve life-safety systems in PHA properties. PHA officials said they believe the agency is one of the first large housing authorities in the country to obligate 100% of their Recovery Act funding ... Full Text >