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Mayor Whitmire backs board action as Houston Housing Authority leader departs amid probe
Summary
Mayor Whitmire said he supports the Housing Authority board's decision that led to David Northern no longer leading the Houston Housing Authority amid an FBI investigation, and urged a transparent search for new leadership while acknowledging major challenges including a $130 million investment affected by contaminated soil.
Mayor Whitmire said he supports the Houston Housing Authority board's action that resulted in David Northern no longer leading the agency amid an ongoing FBI investigation, and said he has asked the board to search for a transparent successor focused on affordable housing.
"That is a new board," Whitmire said, adding that he asked the board "to hold people accountable and follow the facts." He said he would not comment on the ongoing investigation but described the situation as a "tragedy" that has left taxpayer dollars and affordable housing at risk.
The mayor told reporters the housing authority faces "major challenges," including a roughly $130,000,000 investment he said cannot be used because of contaminated soil at or near the facility. He said the prior board had extended Mr. Northern's contract — a period the mayor described as unusually long — and that severance provisions likely contributed to the timing of the removal. The mayor said he believed Mr. Northern "should have been removed sooner." Those statements were made onstage during a press event where the mayor declined to discuss details of the ongoing investigation.
Reporters asked whether the mayor had a preferred type of next leader; Whitmire said he wants someone transparent, focused on the housing authority’s mission and free of conflicts of interest. The mayor also said staff will continue audits and reviews of reported problems and that his office will seek accountability where needed.
The mayor linked the matter to oversight and procurement problems he has highlighted since taking office and noted that some past projects lacked accountability to commitments for affordable units. He urged continued attention to relocate affected residents if necessary and to verify conditions on the ground before taking further steps.
Next steps: Mayor Whitmire said he has asked the Housing Authority board to conduct a transparent search for new leadership and that city offices will continue audits and reviews; he did not provide a timetable or details about the investigation.
