Houston Housing Authority CEO Placed on Leave

The CEO of the Houston Housing Authority, David Northern Sr., has been placed on administrative leave amid a federal investigation concerning a controversial property development near toxic land. This decision followed a board meeting in which an outside consultant was hired to review Northern's performance on contracts and payments. The investigation centers around The Pointe at Bayou Bend, a vacant property linked to environmental violations due to its proximity to a site with toxic ash. Northern, who has been with the authority since 2022, denies any wrongdoing, labeling the investigation as 'warrantless'. The board's action comes after increasing scrutiny of the Authority, including a prior overhaul by Mayor John Whitmire citing financial mismanagement. Northern's contract, which was amended to include a substantial payout if terminated without cause, remains a point of contention.