Council urges probe into ARHA before critical board assembly

Alexandria City Council Demands Third-Party Investigation into ARHA CEO's Residency

In a turn of events, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) finds itself under scrutiny, as the city council has called for a third-party investigation into the residency of its CEO, Erik Johnson.

The controversy began in July, when it was revealed that Johnson had temporarily lived in a public housing unit on Cook Street. This revelation sparked a series of events that have led to the current situation.

Last week, the ARHA Board of Commissioners ordered Johnson to vacate the property immediately. However, this action has not quelled the concerns of the city council. On Tuesday, Mayor Alyia Gaskins sent a four-page letter on behalf of the council, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.

The letter, which includes multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, seeks responses by Sept. 3. The city council's FOIA requests cover Johnson's employment contract, all correspondence related to employee occupancy of ARHA units, records of any modifications to Johnson's unit, and communications between ARHA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the matter.

Gaskins outlined the city's authority over ARHA in her letter, noting that while the housing authority is independent, it was established by city ordinance and the City Council has both appointment and removal authority for board members. She also posed 13 detailed questions about Johnson's residency, including who approved it, whether he paid market rent or received subsidies, if he was income-qualified for the unit, and whether maintenance work was performed on the property.

City Council member John Taylor Chapman has been vocal about the issue, calling for an investigation into the matter. Chapman expressed interest in the outcome of the investigation, the next steps, and how to repair the short and long-term trust between ARHA and the community following the board meeting.

According to HUD, it is a conflict of interest for a public housing agency director to live on a property they manage. The investigation is to cover three specific areas: Johnson's actions, ARHA's compliance with laws, and ARHA's finances, including an independent financial audit.

The meeting agenda includes discussing the personnel matter in executive session. The regularly scheduled board meeting set for Monday evening at 7 p.m. was canceled, and a special board meeting will take place today at 8 a.m. via Zoom.

Johnson was hired a year ago and started work in September 2024. The recent controversy follows tenant protests last week over poor conditions and delayed repairs at ARHA properties. The outcome of this investigation is expected to shed light on these ongoing issues and potentially lead to changes within the authority.

As the investigation unfolds, the community will be closely watching the developments at the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The city council's demand for transparency and accountability underscores the importance of addressing these concerns and restoring trust in the housing authority.