Dozens of CVH leaders came out in the freezing cold alongside several elected officials to push for greater Congressional support for a national Community Jobs Bill. Showcasing the Great Depression and the "New Depression," CVH was successful in convincing four additional Congressional representatives to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill.

CVH Board Member Zoila Almonte was interviewed by Telemundo. Below the link to the segment is a translation of the Spanish piece.

CVH released a report, "Democracy (In)Action: How HUD, NYCHA and Official Structures Undermine Resident Participation in New York City Public Housing," which finds that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is violating federal regulations (referred to as the 964 regs) that ensure residents’ participation in policymaking. To make matters worse, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – the chief enforcer of the 964 regulations – is failing to provide the appropriate oversight to ensure that residents can meaningfully and democratically participate.

 On Monday, January 11th CVH Public Housing leader and board member Anne Washington was interviewed on WBAI's Housing Notebook Radio Show. Anne talked about her experiences living in Grant Houses in West Harlem, how she first got involved with CVH, and what we are working on this year. Follow the link below to listen to the show online:

http://archive.wbai.org/files/mp3/100111_200001housing.MP3

CVH was honored with the Independent Sector's American Express Building Leadership Award in early December 2009. Board Co-Chair Ketny Jean-Francois and Executive Director Sondra Youdelman accepted the award on behalf of the members.

Prior to the event, Independent Sector filmed a video featuring CVH, which was broadcast at their annual conference in Detroit, MI.

CVH members traveled to Washington, D.C., to join coalition partner Center for Community Change in calling on President Barack Obama to make sure that jobs are also created for low-income workers and those transitioning off welfare.

CBS Evening News

Note: CVH is shown at the 1:50 mark in the segment.

CVH members joined the New York City Right to the City in calling on elected officials to open vacant luxury condominium developments to the poor. The construction of many of the buildings began before the economic recession, leaving many of the homes unoccupied.

The effort has been gaining widespread media coverage throughout New York.

CVH members in Yonkers demanded to know who would monitor a land disposition agreement between the city and Struever Fidelco Cappelli (SFC). Members have pushed for the construction of affordable housing as a part of the development that would include 1400 housing units, in addition to a new baseball stadium and hotel. CVH member Walter Lipscomb was among those in attendance at a Yonkers City Council Real Estate Committee meeting where final terms were discussed. The full article can be viewed through the link below.

   Over 100 CVH members led three New York City Council members on a tour of public housing to illustrate the effects of funding cuts to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and called on their elected officials to fully fund public housing and include residents to be involved in the oversight of the Federal Stimulus Funds allocated to NYCHA.