Several Lakeland Housing Authority residents addressed the City Commission during the audience portion, alleging nonrenewal of leases, favoritism in placements and fear of retaliation for speaking out.

Naquisha Coward told commissioners residents are “terrified” to report mistreatment and said she has observed patterns of nonrenewal notices and “systematic manipulation of discrimination” affecting non‑Hispanic residents. “They’re afraid of retaliation,” she said.

Other speakers described housing repairs left undone, an instance of a resident’s disabled mother falling after a requested accommodation was not made, and claims that staff or relatives of staff had been placed into units. Several speakers urged the city to intervene or order a review.

Commissioners said the city’s authority over the LHA is limited to board appointments but pledged to act within that power. Commissioner Guy Lalonde said he had mailed a formal letter on Friday to the LHA board and its counsel requesting several steps: disclosure of records related to placements, hiring and waiting-list management; an independent third‑party review of placement practices and financial allocation; strengthened safeguards against retaliation; documentation of any forfeited Family Self‑Sufficiency (FSS) funds and clarifications that the board — not the executive director — sets policy.

Lalonde and other commissioners emphasized the request is not an accusation but a demand for transparency so LHA can restore public confidence. Commissioners encouraged residents to continue bringing written concerns to the city and to LHA public meetings so officials can monitor progress. The LHA board had said at its most recent meeting it would review related cases.

Speakers and commissioners repeatedly noted that the LHA receives federal funding and operates under HUD rules; the commission’s communications with the LHA are intended to prompt internal review and, if warranted, further action by oversight authorities.