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Residents say LBJ Gardens demolition began without notice; HFA and ODR to hold March town hall
Summary
Demolition activity at LBJ Gardens drew sharp questions from senators after residents reported water and cistern damage. Housing Finance Authority officials said a contractor started work before planned community notification; HFA and ODR officials scheduled a March 19 town hall and said they would assess relocation and buyout options.
Residents near LBJ Gardens raised concerns that demolition activity began before they received official notice and that work damaged cisterns and household water supplies. Several senators described calls from constituents and pressed the Housing Finance Authority for immediate action.
"The contractor got ahead of us," said Dana Clendenin, chief operating officer and chief disaster recovery officer at VIHFA, acknowledging that demolition activity began before the planned resident notification and that all work has since stopped. Clendenin said the agency planned outreach and a letter to residents and would convene a town hall with other agencies.
Senators and officials agreed on two immediate steps: stop work where residents have complaints, and hold a joint town hall (HFA said the meeting is scheduled for March 19) so residents can speak with HFA, ODR and other agencies about water testing, relocation assistance and any financial commitments from the executive branch. Executive Director Eugene E. Jones Jr. said the March 19 meeting will invite other agencies to respond to residents' concerns.
Officials' acknowledgements and next steps - Clendenin said demolition work paused and that HFA will send staff to assess water, cisterns and other reported damage. - Jones and Clendenin said they would review existing correspondence (senators pointed to a March 18, 2024 letter) and explore options including acquisition or relocation support if allowable under grant rules. - Both agencies noted that grant compliance and environmental requirements can constrain some options but pledged to investigate potential pathways, including acquisition or buyouts where allowed.
Senators pressed for quicker engagement with residents and for ODR/VIHFA to return to the committee with a clear plan for immediate resident assistance and a longer-term relocation or buyout assessment.
