HOUSTON, Texas – Imagine being a cancer patient, worried about losing your home because you’ve been waiting years to be added to the Houston Housing Authority’s (HHA) Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Recommended Videos
Or picture living in Houston’s oldest public housing complex, still waiting for promised renovations that never seem to come.
These are just some of the stories KPRC 2 Investigates has uncovered while looking into HHA’s use of federal tax dollars.
The Houston Housing Authority provides housing and services to tens of thousands of low-income individuals and families in the city, primarily using federal tax dollars. Last year, KPRC 2 Investigative Reporter Amy Davis discovered that funds intended for housing improvements were not being used as planned.
On Monday at 6 a.m., Amy examines HHA’s expenses and found that while many Houstonians struggle to pay rent, executive members of the department are spending taxpayer money on travel, luxury dinners, and lavish parties.
In February, HHA President and CEO David Northern informed Houston Mayor John Whitmire that there were no funds left for housing vouchers. Yet, weeks later, Amy discovered that Northern approved significant pay raises for his executive team.
- Jay Mason - Director of Real Estate Investment and Development: 21% increase from $123,240 in 2023 to $149,700 in 2024.
- Na’Shon Edwards - Strategic Advisor: 26% increase from $95,000 in 2023 to $120,000 in 2024.
- Khadija Darr - Senior VP of Administration: Increase from $176,000 to $200,000.
- Corey Franklin - VP of Asset Management: From $102,000 in March 2024 to $150,000 by June.
- Jennine Hovell-Cox - General Counsel: 28% increase from $156,000 in 2023 to $200,000 in 2024.
The issues extend beyond Houstonians struggling to pay rent or receive vouchers. KPRC 2 Investigates also uncovered questionable contracts and projects by HHA.
One notable example involved residents of Cuney Homes in the Third Ward, Houston’s oldest public housing development, who expressed frustration over incomplete renovations. The installation of 1,615 window air conditioning units at Cuney Homes, Kelley Village, and Irvington Village was initially budgeted at $2.3 million, but costs unexpectedly soared to over $5.4 million.
When Amy showed a senior citizen facing eviction the expenses from HHA’s executive team, she was left with many questions.
“Why are they still having all of this stuff if they can’t pay the rent for people? I wouldn’t even attend something like this if I knew that they were doing such things to other people that they were supposed to help out,” Janet Hoffer said. “I just don’t understand it. I mean, they shouldn’t be doing anything except helping people pay their rent and not having Christmas parties.”
While over 18,000 Houstonians wait for housing funding from HHA, which claims to have run out, money is being spent on expenses unrelated to housing issues. HHA stated in a November 2025 interview, “The HHA Voucher Program is funded through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP/Section 8) through HUD. This funding pays for tenant-based assistance to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It does not pay for the HHA executive staff. The Central Office Cost Center (COCC) of the HHA is a business unit that generates fees from a variety of housing and support programs administered by the HHA. The HHA executive salaries are funded from this business unit and not funded by HUD directly.”
Since our investigation, former HHA president and CEO, David Northern retired but not without pay.
Northern, who joined the HHA as president and CEO in 2022, served just over two years before resigning amid a board investigation into questionable contracts and financial practices. The settlement approved by the new board reveals Northern walked away with $210,252.18, which includes six months of pay and accrued paid time off (PTO).
And, according to his settlement, there’s a clause that prevents either party from suing or disparaging each other. It also states that HHA will not continue any investigation into Northern’s conduct as CEO, including allegations related to ongoing issues with air-conditioning contracts. Additionally, if any investigations proceed, HHA agrees not to issue findings on Northern’s culpability.
Amy first started this investigation after a tip from several viewers. If you have a story idea for Amy, email ADavis@kprc.com.
