Earlier this year CLPHA, PHADA, and HAI released a study of the economic impact public housing has on its communities. The study was conducted by Econsult of Philadelphia and is called "Assessing the Benefits of Public Housing.” It points out, among other things, that it would cost about $162 billion to replace the existing housing units and that PHAs account for more than $8 billion in federal revenue that comes into a community that in turn generates an additional $8 billion through its multiplier effect.

According to CLPHA (the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities) this study has been used extensively by PHAs to make their case to their "local political, business, and community leaders that public housing is an asset worthy of support and protection.”

CLPHA continues, in its July 23, 2007 newsletter, by indicating that in the prior week the House Appropriations Committee Report (110-238) "quoted extensively from the Econsult study.” This was considered not just a compliment, but important, "because committee report language helps establish legislative intent and provides a useful marker for the future.”

Check out this study online at http://www.housingcenter.com/sites/PublicShared/
LegislativeAffairs/EcoImpactReport03_01_07.pdf .