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Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston

ABOVE: David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority EXCLUSIVE: One-On-One with David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority According to a recent report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) entitled The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, Texas ranks the sixth-worst state in the […]
The post Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

September 20, 2023

Forward Times Staff

ABOVE: David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

EXCLUSIVE: One-On-One with David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

According to a recent report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) entitled The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, Texas ranks the sixth-worst state in the U.S. for affordable housing for extremely low-income renters, with Houston ranking the fifth worst metropolitan city in the country.

The Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP)—a non-profit trade association that serves as the primary advocate and leading resource for the affordable housing industry in Texas—highlighted key facts from the report, relative to the immediate need for more affordable housing in Texas, and across the Greater Houston area, such as:

Twenty-two percent of all Texas rental households are extremely low income.
79% of all Texas rental households are severely cost burdened, meaning they spend over half their income on housing.
Only 25 rental units per 100 units are affordable and available for extremely low-income households.
There’s a shortage of 864,338 affordable and available units for households living at or below 50% AMI {Area Median Income (AMI) is generated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)}
Between 2019 and 2021, the lack of affordable and available rental homes for very low-income renters (at or below 50% AMI) worsened by more than 164,591 units, or 24%.
In Houston’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), there are 19 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households.

One of the ways in which the city of Houston has sought to address challenges with providing more affordable housing opportunities is through the Houston Housing Authority (HHA).

David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

Created as an independent entity by the Houston City Council in 1938, in response to federal legislation—the U.S. Housing Act of 1937—the HHA helped implement state legislation that charged local entities with providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low to moderate-income families and individuals.

Today, HHA is one of the nation’s largest housing authorities and provides affordable homes and services to more than 60,000 low-income Houstonians, with 200 plus full-time employees and more than 100 private management staff. HHA’s annual budget is about $300 million with an inventory that includes a federally funded portfolio of 24,000 units and 22,000 non-federal units. HHA helps over 17,000 families who are housed through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, 4,200 living in 19 public housing and tax credit developments, and an additional 716 in project-based voucher developments around the city. HHA also administers one of the nation’s largest voucher programs exclusively serving homeless veterans.

David A. Northern, Sr. currently serves as the President and CEO of HHA, after being hired to come to the city of Houston to lead the organization in February 2022.

Prior to HHA, Northern served as president and CEO of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, which is the largest housing authority in Alabama.

Northern obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Ball State University and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University. Additionally, Northern completed the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government 18-month Community Development program. Northern has dedicated his longstanding and reputable career of 26 years to the public housing industry. A demonstrated leader in the affordable housing sector, he is the immediate past president of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association—an organization of 1,900-member housing agencies representing more than 1.9 million low-income housing units throughout the country.

Northern has proven experience as a proactive leader in federal housing assistance programs, including urban planning and policy development.

In 2011, he was selected as a member of a housing delegation that traveled to South Africa to educate and advise their government leadership. In 2016, Northern was a speaker at the White House Convening on the proposed HUD smoke-free rule in public housing. In 2019 he was appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to the Illinois State Housing Task Force and was elected to the Illinois Housing Council’s Board of Directors.

Northern recently visited with the Forward Times to discuss his impressive background, as well as talk about the impact he and his team are having when it comes to addressing the serious issue of providing affordable housing opportunities to every-day citizens in the city of Houston.

David A. Northern, Sr. participates in ribbon cutting ceremony with Cuney Homes Food Pantry

What brought you to Houston?

My commitment to the HHA mission of providing quality, affordable housing options and promoting education and economic self-sufficiency brought me to Houston. This is a city with immense potential, but it also faces significant affordable housing challenges. The Houston Housing Authority’s dedication to serving its community aligned perfectly with my professional goals and values. I was inspired by the potential to make a substantial impact on the lives of Houstonians in need, which motivated me to join this incredible organization. Also, I find Houston to be a highly desirable place to live. The city offers a delightful combination of favorable weather, welcoming residents, exceptional culinary experiences, and a vibrant sports culture.

What have been some of your biggest accomplishments at HHA thus far?

One of the significant accomplishments during my tenure at the Houston Housing Authority has been our efforts to expand affordable housing options. We’ve made strides in fully implementing the Moving to Work Plan, a program that allows us to design innovative strategies to use federal resources more efficiently, help residents find employment, and increase housing choices. Additionally, our Family Self-Sufficiency Program has empowered families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, and we continue to build relationships with landlords and developers to expand affordable housing opportunities in our community. Currently, we have two major projects underway. First, we are providing and installing air-conditioning units in all of our public housing. This is a huge relief for our families in Houston. I am so thrilled that we are able to provide this necessity. Second, we are installing Flock Security Systems across our properties. Specifically, these security systems are License Plate Readers (LTRs). This allows our law enforcement agencies quick access to data that will allow them to apprehend any perpetrators who may commit transgressions in and around our communities. This initiative will offer comfort and peace of mind to our residents. Everyone deserves to live in safe, decent, and sanitary homes.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced with the HHA upon your arrival? How did you or how are you addressing them?

Upon my arrival at the Houston Housing Authority, one of the significant challenges was addressing the shortage of affordable housing in the city, a challenge that has been exacerbated by factors such as gentrification and rising housing costs. To tackle this issue, we are implementing innovative solutions like mixed-income housing developments, which can help prevent displacement and create economic opportunities for low-income families. We are also actively engaging with elected officials and community members to advocate for fair housing policies and secure federal funding for affordable housing initiatives. Upon assuming my role at HHA (amid the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic), I encountered the substantial challenge of a workforce depleted by remote work arrangements. In response, we initiated a robust recruitment program, established an on-site training center, and conducted in-depth assessments to determine how we could offer competitive compensation packages and benefits in order to effectively attract and retain valuable team members.

How did you get into this particular career path and line of work?

I was drawn to the affordable housing sector due to its profound impact on people’s lives and by having a strong commitment to social justice and community development. This commitment led me to take on leadership roles in organizations dedicated to affordable housing, which include working for seven housing authorities and holding leadership positions at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), and Moving to Work (MTW) Collaborative. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside passionate individuals who share the same vision for creating better housing opportunities for all. I firmly believe that housing is a fundamental human right, and my career choice reflects my commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to safe and secure housing. My journey in this field began with a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing housing challenges, which led me to dedicate my career to this cause.

David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

What do you enjoy about the work you do?

What I find most fulfilling about my work is the direct and positive impact it has on individuals and communities. It’s a privilege to be able to contribute to improving the lives of low-income Houstonians by providing them with quality, affordable housing options and the tools to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Every day, I witness the hope and transformation our programs bring to people’s lives, and that is immensely rewarding.

Who have been your greatest influences throughout your career?

My top priorities have always been my faith and my family. And they have been one of my greatest influences that have helped make me the man that I am today. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be influenced by dedicated professionals who share my passion for affordable housing and social justice. From mentors who guided me in the early stages of my career to colleagues and partners who collaborate with me today, I have drawn inspiration and knowledge from a wide network of individuals committed to the same mission. Their guidance and support have played a pivotal role in shaping my approach and vision for the work I do.

What are some of your key goals at HHA? What legacy do you hope to leave here?

My key goals at HHA revolve around ensuring that every individual we serve has access to safe and affordable housing and the resources to achieve economic self-sufficiency. I hope to leave a legacy of progress, compassion, and innovation in the affordable housing sector. I want the Houston Housing Authority to be a beacon of hope and a model for other organizations in the field, demonstrating that through collaborative efforts and forward-thinking strategies, we can address the affordable housing crisis and improve the lives of countless Houstonians. My leadership at the Houston Housing Authority has always been guided by a deep commitment to support, compassion, and a relentless drive for success. My enduring legacy is one of fostering positivity and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve and the team with whom I work. I want nothing but the best for everyone.

What advice would you give any young, aspiring African Americans seeking to follow your career path?

To young, aspiring African Americans interested in a career in affordable housing or similar fields, I would offer the following advice. Success in any career is strengthened by building professional relationships with people. Networking is essential to expand your outreach and open doors for you that would otherwise remain closed. There is a saying in business, “Either you’re at the table or you’re on the menu.” Be the person who brings yourself to the table of conversations with the right people, and if there isn’t a seat for you at that table, bring your own chair. You won’t know if you don’t ask for opportunities. I would suggest finding mentors to share their insight, expertise, perspective, and knowledge. That can be an invaluable resource as you learn and grow into the type of person you want to be, professionally and personally. Diversity is important, so expand your networking outside of your own race to get perspectives from people of all walks of life, not just the people who look like you. Another key element to success is thinking beyond what other people have done before you: thinking outside the box, the square, the circle, etc. Create your own shape and allow that to guide your choices. Don’t limit yourself based on limitations other people have established before you. Every obstacle can be overcome in some way. The solution lies in your ability to ask questions, get creative to find solutions, and use every success and every setback to your advantage as a way to continuously become stronger in your profession. Additionally, I want young aspiring African Americans to find their 3 “WHATS”:

What is your why? Your purpose and motivation for your aspirations
What is your next? What you plan to do to accomplish your goals
What is your sacrifice? What you are willing to give up in pursuit of achievement

And always remember: You can learn from everyone and anyone what to do and what not to do.

For more information about the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), please visit their website at: https://housingforhouston.com/.

The post Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: Jim Crow 2.0 at the Pentagon

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement.

Published

1 week ago

August 3, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Pete Hegseth insists that he is restoring “merit” to the United States military. But after months of dismissals, blocked promotions, and ideological purges, the evidence tells a different story. His campaign against so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” has become something far more dangerous: an assault on equal opportunity that falls with particular force on African Americans, while also targeting women, Latinos, gay Americans, and transgender service members.

The latest example is both troubling and infuriating.

Once again, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly blocked the promotion of an exceptionally qualified woman—Rear Admiral Amy Bauernschmidt. Bauernschmidt is no ordinary officer. She became the Navy’s first woman to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, one of the most demanding leadership assignments in the world. Her career reflects decades of exemplary performance, operational excellence, and leadership under extraordinary pressure.

Yet once again, a distinguished military career appears to have been subordinated to an ideological agenda masquerading as “merit.”

I call BS!

The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement.

The pattern has become impossible to ignore.

General Charles Q. Brown Jr., only the second African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was dismissed despite a career that placed him among the most accomplished military leaders of his generation.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman ever to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, was removed despite decades of distinguished command experience.

Reports have documented interventions that blocked or delayed the promotions of Black officers and women selected through the military’s rigorous promotion system.

Now Rear Admiral Amy Bauernschmidt joins the growing list of highly accomplished officers whose careers have been derailed for reasons that have never been persuasively explained.

Where is Congress?

Its silence has become deafening.

Congress has an independent constitutional responsibility to oversee the armed forces. Instead, too many lawmakers have watched silently while one of the nation’s most respected institutions is subjected to ideological litmus tests and political interference.

This is not military reform. It is testosterone-fueled performative masculinity disguised as a philosophy of military excellence.

The irony is impossible to miss. Hegseth repeatedly invokes “merit,” yet his rhetoric begins with the assumption that Black officers, women, and other historically excluded Americans must somehow justify their achievements in ways that white male officers are rarely required to do.

That is not meritocracy. It is prejudice wrapped in patriotic language.

No one is asking that anyone be promoted because of race or gender. Americans simply expect that promotions be based on demonstrated competence, leadership, integrity, and service. The officers being targeted have already proven themselves repeatedly under one of the world’s most demanding evaluation systems.

Their records speak for themselves.

The attack on African American military leadership has been especially pernicious.

For generations, Black Americans fought in segregated units, earned decorations while denied equal treatment, and repeatedly demonstrated loyalty to a nation that often failed to extend them full citizenship. They broke barriers not because standards were lowered but because excellence finally overcame institutional discrimination.

Today’s campaign against “diversity” threatens to revive old assumptions under new slogans.

The implication that Black generals and admirals somehow owe their success to affirmative action rather than extraordinary performance echoes some of the ugliest stereotypes of the Jim Crow era. Yesterday’s segregationists claimed Black Americans were inherently less qualified. Today’s culture warriors simply employ more politically acceptable language while inviting the same suspicion about Black achievement.

That is why Hegseth’s campaign increasingly resembles Jim Crow 2.0.

The targets may now wear stars on their shoulders instead of military patches on segregated uniforms, but the underlying message is hauntingly familiar: Black excellence is presumed suspect, while white excellence is presumed earned.

America’s military became the finest fighting force in history because it opened its doors to talent wherever it could be found. It grew stronger after President Truman desegregated the armed forces. It became stronger when women assumed greater command responsibilities. It became stronger when every qualified American was given the opportunity to serve to the fullest extent of their abilities.

Diversity is not a concession. It is a strategic advantage.

The nation’s adversaries do not fear an American military because it is racially homogeneous. They fear it because it draws upon the talents of more than 340 million Americans whose diverse experiences, perspectives, and abilities make our armed forces unmatched anywhere in the world.

Every politically motivated dismissal of a distinguished officer sends a chilling message throughout the ranks: excellence alone may no longer be enough if you belong to the wrong demographic group.

That weakens morale. It weakens recruitment. It weakens retention.

And ultimately, it weakens national security.

Pete Hegseth has every right to pursue military readiness. He has no right to redefine merit in ways that repeatedly cast suspicion upon the accomplishments of Black officers, women, and others who have devoted their lives to defending this nation.

America deserves better. The men and women who wear the uniform deserve better. The Constitution deserves better.

And unless Congress finds the courage to exercise meaningful oversight, history may well remember this period not as a restoration of military excellence, but as the moment political ideology attempted to resurrect, in modern form, the old poison of exclusion.

Jim Crow did not strengthen America. Jim Crow 2.0 will not strengthen America’s military. It will only diminish it

Wade Henderson
Strategic Advisor
Civil and Human Rights
wade@wadejhenderson.com

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New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial

By Emilie St. John (Contributor) Karmelo Anthony will return to court next month in his first step to overturn his murder conviction. Anthony was found guilty last month in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His new legal team has filed motions seeking the recusal of State District […]
The post New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 31, 2026

Oakland Post

By Emilie St. John
(Contributor)

Karmelo Anthony will return to court next month in his first step to overturn his murder conviction.

Anthony was found guilty last month in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His new legal team has filed motions seeking the recusal of State District Judge John Roach Jr. from overseeing the appeals process.

Two hearings have been scheduled on the motion for Aug. 9 and 10 in the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, according to Fox4 News.

On July 14, Senior Judge Sid L. Harle of the 226th District Court was assigned to preside over the defense’s motion to recuse Collin County Judge John Roach. The assignment took effect immediately and authorized Harle to handle all matters related to the recusal request, the filing read.

The Collin County District Attorney’s Office continues to defend its handling of the case by issuing a statement to NBC 5 DFW.

“The defendant’s new lawyers have filed a motion containing several inaccurate characterizations of the trial proceedings. The entire prosecution team and I conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court’s rulings and any agreements with defense counsel. We look forward to addressing these claims thoroughly in a Court of law in the coming weeks. The jury heard extensive evidence over the course of the trial and returned a unanimous verdict. We remain confident in that verdict and the fairness of the proceedings.”

Anthony’s new legal team, made up of appellate, civil rights, and criminal defense attorneys, was retained following Anthony’s conviction.

“Our responsibility is to determine whether a legal error occurred and to ensure that every issue supported by the record is fully and vigorously presented on appeal,” the team said in a statement.

“We recognize the profound loss suffered by one young man’s family and the uncertainty facing another, and we extend our respect to everyone whose lives have been forever changed by these events,” the release reads.

Anthony was charged with the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, April 2, 2025. Anthony has long maintained it was an act of self-defense.

The attorneys are representing Anthony pro bono. The nearly 200-page notice of appeal seeks a new trial because his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was violated.

“The cumulative and practical effect of these provisions was to exclude members of the public from proceedings at every stage,” the filing reads.

The filing also focused on an alleged “handshake deal” that kept Anthony from taking the stand in his defense.

The defense filing said the agreement was that the jury would not hear that Metcalf and his twin brother had been accused of racism and bullying in the past. In exchange, they also would not see Anthony’s cellphone records or his school disciplinary record, according to court documents reported by the Dallas Morning News.

Anthony’s former defense attorney, Mike Howard, said the defense relied heavily on that deal. The team chose not to ask certain questions of witnesses or call on a separate expert witness based on that agreement. It also abandoned plans to introduce testimony and evidence about the allegations against Metcalf and his brother.

Appellate attorney Russell Wilson is now handling post-trial proceedings and Anthony’s appeal. He recently sat down for an interview, stating, “The court committed multiple errors during the June murder trial, preventing him from receiving a fair trial.”

“You know, we file motions that we expect to prevail on, but we understand that there’s two sides to every story. And at the end of the day, it’ll be a judge that has to make these decisions, but we feel confident in the positions that we’re taking,” Wilson said during an interview with WFAA. “There were substantial issues that we thought a reviewing court needed to look at. We thought these were constitutional irregularities, and we could have them addressed now. And so, we put them into a motion for a new trial.”

Bree West, a former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, found it startling that so little time was given to Anthony’s team for such a serious “life or death” situation.

“I do think that it’s really challenging that potentially a court decided that you have 10 minutes to make that level of decision when it has the potential of being life-altering,” said West during an interview with Fox 4 News.

Judge Harle is no stranger to high-profile cases, having presided over the prosecution of a police officer charged in connection with the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.

Anthony was convicted on June 9 of the murder of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The post New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump!

WESTSIDE GAZETTE — The author criticizes Donald Trump’s rhetoric, noting his use of terms like “Dumbocrats” and “Communist” to describe Democrats and democracy. The column asserts that Trump’s current strategy involves creating doubt about midterm elections due to a lack of Republican agenda.
The post COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump! appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 31, 2026

Oakland Post

Frankly Speaking

Wow! Wow! Wow! The swamp drainers have truly stepped down to new levels of stupidity. You remember Weapons of Mass Destruction? We now have Weapons of Mass Distraction. Trump has introduced Dumbocrats and Communists into the conversation about Democrats and Democracy.

Trump lies so much, and his current strategy is to set up doubt about midterm elections because he and Republicans have no agenda!

He has no “Trump “ card, but Iran has a strait! He called it a skirmish; it’s now a War. He said five days; now it’s five months. He said few casualties; now it’s 18 deaths. He knew nothing about Project 2025 but hired its architects! Trump lies about the lies and often forgets these little inventions called cameras and phones

We see and hear and then see and hear the inconsistencies.

I didn’t like 45 and dislike 47 even more!

The post LSMFT! Lord Save Me From Trump! appeared first on The Westside Gazette.

Based on reporting by Westside Gazette.

The post COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump! appeared first on BlackPressUSA.