Six months after our KPRC 2 Investigates team uncovered shady contracts at the Houston Housing Authority that cost you millions of dollars... an outside investigation commissioned by the HHA board confirmed our findings.
In part, our months-long KPRC 2 Investigation uncovered misused money and led to the resignation of then-CEO David Northern.
Recommended Videos
We told you in April the Housing Authority board hired a third-party law firm to investigate all contracts, agreements, and payouts.
The findings show: “Significant lapses in process and procedures within HHA concerning the award of contracts, as well as contract administration and procedure, including the review and approval of payments under awarded contracts.”
The investigation focused on two HHA projects: the AC window installation project at Cuney Homes and the Columbia Tap Trail Project.
The summary reveals the project to install window units at three housing projects in 2023 went 3.1 million dollars over budget because of mismanagement, inexperienced and unqualified contractors, and a lack of oversight.
It found contractors were paid for work that has not been completed even to this day.
The Columbia Tap Trail project to connect Cuney Homes with the walking trail left residents without tables, benches, and lighting that contractors were paid to install.
“We were not the board who approved or oversaw either of these projects. The investigation has proven extremely helpful to our new president and his new leadership team who have embraced the opportunity to strengthen our internal processes,” said Jody Proler, Houston Housing Authority Chairman
Former H-H-A president David Northern resigned last year in exchange for an agreement that the board would not investigate or reveal any alleged wrongdoing by him. He is now the president and CEO of the Housing Authority in Flint, Michigan.
During an interview with Amy Davis earlier this year HHA’s new president and CEO Jamie Bryant shared the significant changes he is implementing following KPRC 2’s investigations, which revealed corruption, kickbacks, and unfinished projects that exceeded budgets by millions.
“One of the very first things I did when I stepped in here was I turned off the spigot... and said, ‘turn it off,‘” Bryant said.
He emphasized that he halted the flow of funds from the Houston Housing Authority while reviewing new projects and the personnel on his team.
See full report below:
Bryant noted that many key leaders, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents from the previous administration under David Northern, are no longer with the organization.
Bryant eliminated the senior advisor position held by Na’Shon Edwards, who had previously spent thousands of housing authority funds at upscale restaurants.
He also terminated senior vice president Khadija Darr, who received a $24,000 pay raise after less than two years, and fired Marquis Barnes, who was linked to questionable contractors and deals.
Thousands of people are still on a funding waitlist
Another part of the KPRC 2 Investigation involves vouchers. More than 18,000 are on a waitlist to get a voucher to help them pay rent.
In November, Davis introduced viewers to a 62-year-old cancer patient who has been on the housing voucher waitlist since 2016—over eight years. Many others are in similar situations, waiting for assistance.
Individuals on the waitlist must register in the Housing Authority’s new Rent Café portal to confirm their contact information and select “Save My Spot” to remain on the list. People have until June 30th to register.
Need help?
Our investigation into the Houston Housing Authority started with emails from viewers who had questions and needed help.
Do you have a question or topic idea for us? Email ADavis@kprc.com and producer Andrea Slaydon at Aslaydon@kprc.com.
