HOUSTON — The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) has confirmed that its embattled president is out amid a federal investigation and accusations of financial mismanagement.
David A. Northern Sr. resigned under fire on Monday.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired in October when the federal investigation was launched
On October 30, HHA announced that Jennine Hovell-Cox had been appointed interim president of the agency that provides affordable homes and services to more than 60,000 low-income Houstonians.
Northern had been on administrative leave since a federal agency launched an investigation into HHA's low-income housing project in the Second Ward.
According to the HHA, a search warrant served by the Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General was issued to collect soil samples at the property on 800 Middle St. dubbed The Pointe at Bayou Bend.
A team of federal agents was seen at the housing project throughout the day on Oct. 22. Video from Air 11 showed the feds in EPA jackets drilling to unearth samples. The FBI was also at the scene.
The ground around the apartment has long been the subject of environmental concerns. The soil is believed to be contaminated with toxic ash left behind by the Houston Velasco incinerator which burned garbage nearby for decades.
In July, Houston Mayor John Whitmire wrote a letter to the HHA asking the organization to halt the leasing process for The Pointe. He cited four violations by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regarding ash found at the site.
“Who in the world talked to who about approving affordable housing on top of a previous landfill?" Whitmire asked. "It should have never been built there, let’s just be real clear about an over $130 million project that someone foolishly built there, so we have to make the best out of it, we need to hold people accountable.”
The HHA has previously said it completed soil tests before building.
RELATED: Federal investigation underway at Houston housing project cited for environmental violations
Accusations of mismanagement
In early 2024, Northern notified Mayor Whitmire that due to increasing per-unit costs, the agency was stopping the issuance of vouchers that provided affordable housing options to veterans, people with disabilities, and the homeless.
"Our analysis has revealed a critical situation: we are currently over 100% of the use of budget authority and our HUD-held reserves," Northern wrote in the letter to the mayor.
in February, Whitmire cleaned house by appointing seven new commissioners to the HHA board citing a lack of leadership and financial mismanagement.
“Houstonians should be able to trust that the Houston Housing Authority is operating with transparency and in the best interest of people who need affordable housing. Some of HHA’s recent missteps are unacceptable, including a recent decision to approve more than ten affordable housing deals (PFCs) with developers,” said Mayor Whitmire. “I plan to increase affordable housing throughout the city, give Houstonians options, and make our city the most affordable big city in which to live. The HHA is moving in the opposite direction, so I am making immediate changes.”