Houston Housing Authority President and CEO David A. Northern Sr. has been placed on paid leave amid an ongoing investigation, marking the second time this month his position has faced scrutiny.
On October 9, the board held a meeting to discuss Northern’s role, but no action was taken then. That changed on Tuesday when the board voted to place him on administrative leave to conduct a performance review.
Last week, federal investigators conducted a raid on one of the authority’s properties, The Pointe at Bayou Bend, a vacant 400-unit affordable housing complex in the Second Ward. Questions have been raised regarding the site’s proximity to land containing toxins.
Northern, who joined the Houston Housing Authority in 2022, has faced criticism from Mayor John Whitmire, who accused the agency of inefficient leadership and financial mismanagement. Northern, however, has called the board’s actions and the investigation “warrantless.”
The board has enlisted an external consultant to review Northern’s performance, though no interim president has been appointed yet.
In a public statement, Northern defended his record and commitment to affordable housing, saying, “I’m confident this warrantless investigation will turn up nothing. The Board has taken this step to try and fabricate a reason to remove me because they do not have one. This decision stems from the coordinated opposition from anti-affordable housing and special interest groups who view affordable housing as a threat to their pocketbooks.”
Northern emphasized his administration’s achievements, citing over $60 million in federal funding secured in 2024, along with new initiatives that support families, seniors, and vulnerable residents. He also highlighted efforts to resolve longstanding deficiencies and audit backlogs left by previous leadership.
Northern expressed concern over the impact of the investigation on staff morale and the agency’s mission, concluding, “At the heart of this issue, it is Houston’s most vulnerable residents who stand to lose the most.”
