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Chair White presses DCHA nominees on sustaining recovery after executive director's abrupt exit
Summary
Nominees Raymond Skinner, Denise Blackson and Leroy Clay III told the Committee on Housing they would prioritize continuity, resident engagement and stronger financial oversight as DCHA transitions after Executive Director Keith Pettigrew's announced departure; the chair urged contract transparency and accountability.
Council Member Robert White opened a March 24 hearing of the Committee on Housing to consider three mayoral nominations to the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Board of Commissioners, pressing nominees to explain how they would maintain momentum as the agency loses its executive director.
"I'm disappointed in his decision, and I'm disappointed that I found out in the Chicago Sun-Times, like everyone else," White said, describing concern about continuity for residents and the three-year recovery plan.
Raymond Skinner, the STAR Board chair and nominee for reappointment, highlighted the board's recent work to stabilize the agency and said hiring Keith Pettigrew in November 2023 was a pivotal step. "I think the best thing we did was hiring Keith Pettigrew as our Executive Director," Skinner said, adding that the board has implemented committees, updated bylaws and launched technology improvements he said are producing measurable results.
Skinner told the committee he would recommend Deputy Director Nicole Whitcliffe as interim executive director while the board deliberates on a permanent replacement and that the board would monitor progress on the recovery plan through regular metrics and committee oversight.
Denise Blackson, a resident commissioner nominee who described decades of neighborhood organizing, said she would prioritize resident-facing engagement tools such as monthly "Block-by-Block" meetings and the "Chat-and-Choose" sessions she has hosted, and would press the voucher division for clearer response timelines. "I facilitate monthly meetings with resident leaders, welcoming participation from all interested individuals," Blackson said, explaining how she connects residents to DCHA staff.
Leroy Clay III, the CFO designee, emphasized the need for accounting and audit expertise on the permanent board. Clay cited remediation work since the 2022 HUD report and the 2024 audit outcomes and said outside contractors (BDO, Baker Tilly) are assisting reconciliations and controls work.
White also asked whether the council should have confirmation authority over the executive director; Skinner said no, arguing that selection is the board's responsibility. White pressed for transparency around the next executive director contract, saying public access would help build trust; Skinner said he would consult general counsel and did not commit to making personnel contracts public.
The committee allowed witnesses and nominees to testify under oath and will accept written testimony through April 7.
