JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new report from the city’s Office of Inspector General found significant policy violations within the Jacksonville Housing Authority, including repeated failures to properly manage cases of unreported income in its housing programs.
The investigation which looked into data from 2021, 2023, and 2024, the OIG examined how JHA handled income reporting issues in its Public Housing and Section 8 programs. A separate probe that launched in August into alleged retaliatory firings is still pending.
According to the report, investigators identified 31 cases of unreported income over a two-year period, with amounts ranging from just over $2,000 to more than $16,000. The agency estimated $71,123 in fraud or abuse, with several cases already sent or being prepared for collections to recover the funds.
The OIG found that JHA entered repayment agreements that exceeded its internal $2,000 threshold and, in some cases, approved multiple repayment agreements with the same household, both of which violate agency policy. Exceptions to the rules were often undocumented, lacked justification, and were not approved by leadership as required.
Investigators also noted that repayment agreements frequently lacked required components, including:
- Lease references
- Payment terms
- Consequences for missed payments
The report recommends that JHA establish clear repayment thresholds, improve documentation for exceptions, ensure all required provisions are included in agreements and bring internal policies in line with federal, state and local regulations.
In a written response, JHA said significant reforms are already underway under its new CEO. The agency said it “acknowledges” the findings and is taking corrective action, including instituting extensive staff training, hiring industry experts to strengthen internal controls and overhauling its policies.
JHA added that any future request for an exception must include written explanation, supporting evidence and approval from leadership. The agency did not respond to additional requests for comment Thursday.