Probe Launched into Alexandria Housing CEO's Use of Affordable Unit Meant For Low- Income Residents
The chief of public housing in Alexandria, Virginia, is under probation after it was revealed he stayed in one of the agency’s own units.
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) Board of Commissioners confirmed in a statement that CEO Erik Johnson had been living in one of the organization’s apartments. The board said Johnson was ordered to vacate immediately.
Following advice from the mayor and city council, the board has now placed Johnson on probation and started an independent review.
“We pledge to work expeditiously, deliberately, and fairly to learn the facts, confirm appropriate accountability measures, implement any needed reforms, and to reinforce our commitment to the highest standards of governance,” the board said.
Johnson explained to local outlet ALXNow that he had temporarily moved into a unit in the Old Town neighborhood in July while between homes. The Washington Post also reported his probation status.
Critics say his decision deprived residents in need of housing. “There is a huge waiting list for these units, for people who qualify by virtue of income,” said Carter Flemming, a former board member. “So for somebody who’s the CEO of ARHA to take one of those units offline, that could have been given to somebody who really deserves and needs the housing, it’s just not right.”
In a letter representing the city council, Mayor Alyia Gaskins pressed for an investigation into both Johnson’s actions and the authority’s finances. Flemming noted that in the early 2000s there were concerns about housing staff moving friends ahead on the waitlist, but said those practices “got cleaned up or stopped, if it ever happened.”
“We were on a better footing, doing large redevelopment projects and building a good reputation, and this just destroyed that, basically,” Flemming said. “Because now, justifiably, the city council and all is asking a lot of questions about how this could have happened.”
ARHA’s mission is to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Alexandria residents.
