Houston Housing Authority Pays Severance to Criticized CEO

The Houston Housing Authority has closed its investigation into former CEO David Northern Jr. as part of a separation agreement negotiated during his resignation.

The separation agreement, obtained by the Houston Chronicle through a public information request, reveals that the agency will not pursue or continue inquiries into Northern’s conduct, including his role in a controversial multi-million-dollar air conditioning initiative, while granting him six months of salary and benefits as part of his severance package, plus payouts for unused leave time.

Northern’s base salary was $278,500, though it may have been higher at the time of his departure. The severance agreement prevents Northern from suing or disparaging the agency, while barring the authority from issuing findings related to his tenure.

The investigation stemmed from Northern’s management of a $5.4 million project to install air conditioning units in several public housing complexes. Originally budgeted at $2.2 million, the program ballooned in cost and drew criticism from tenants, who reported that some units were removed soon after installation, leaving them in unbearable heat.

The cost overruns and complaints fueled concerns over the housing authority’s financial oversight and accountability.

Northern’s resignation marks the latest chapter in a series of challenges for the HHA. Federal audits flagged widespread problems with the agency’s financial recordkeeping, voucher programs and waitlist management.

In addition to the audits revealing “material weakness” and “material noncompliance” in major programs, they found incomplete financial records and inadequate documentation for voucher holders.

Critics have also pointed to the authority’s decision to replace a nonprofit program that helped families move to better neighborhoods with its own initiative, which reportedly falls short of serving the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Northern’s resignation is his third in a leadership role at a housing authority. Before arriving in Houston, he stepped down from positions in Birmingham, Alabama, and Philadelphia, the latter citing a culture of “bullying and harassment.” No investigations were conducted during his time in those roles.

The housing authority has not publicly commented on the agreement.