Jacksonville, Florida, December 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is facing scrutiny after the Office of Inspector General identified over $70,000 in unreported income among tenants who received ineligible housing benefits. JHA failed to follow its internal policies by not referring these cases to collections or law enforcement. In response, JHA is taking corrective actions, including increasing oversight, sending cases to collections, and implementing staff training.
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville Housing Authority Faces Accountability Over Fraud Cases
Jacksonville’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has identified over $70,000 in unreported income among tenants of the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA), leading to ineligible housing benefits. Despite these findings, JHA did not refer the cases to collections or law enforcement, as required by its internal policies. In response, JHA has initiated corrective actions, including sending cases to collections and implementing measures to enhance oversight and compliance.
Investigation Findings
The OIG’s investigation revealed that multiple tenants failed to report income, resulting in housing benefits they were not entitled to receive. The total amount of unreported income exceeded $70,000. Notably, JHA did not adhere to its internal policies by not referring these cases to collections or law enforcement. This oversight has prompted the OIG to recommend improvements in JHA’s procedures to prevent future occurrences.
JHA’s Response and Corrective Actions
In response to the OIG’s findings, JHA has taken several corrective actions:
- Referral to Collections: JHA has forwarded several cases to a collections agency to recover the funds.
- Policy Reforms: The agency is overhauling its policies to strengthen internal controls and prevent future fraud.
- Staff Training: JHA is implementing extensive staff training to improve compliance and fraud detection.
Background on the Jacksonville Housing Authority
The Jacksonville Housing Authority is an independent agency that provides housing assistance to eligible low-income residents and families throughout Jacksonville. As one of the largest public housing authorities in Florida, it serves approximately 32,000 people in more than 10,000 households. In 2024, JHA collected $10.92 million in tenant revenue. The agency is responsible for managing programs such as Public Housing, Section 8, and Rental Assistance Demonstration, and is committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
About the Office of Inspector General
The Office of Inspector General for the City of Jacksonville was established to provide independent oversight of government operations, detect and prevent fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, and other abuses, and promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in government. The OIG conducts audits, investigations, and contract oversight, requiring production of documents and receiving full and unrestricted access to records. Complaints and tips for investigations are accepted from all sources, identified or anonymous, in-person, online, orally, or in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What did the Office of Inspector General find in its investigation of the Jacksonville Housing Authority?
The Office of Inspector General identified over $70,000 in unreported income among tenants of the Jacksonville Housing Authority, leading to ineligible housing benefits.
Did the Jacksonville Housing Authority follow its internal policies regarding these cases?
No, the Jacksonville Housing Authority did not refer the cases to collections or law enforcement, as required by its internal policies.
What actions has the Jacksonville Housing Authority taken in response to the findings?
In response to the findings, the Jacksonville Housing Authority has forwarded several cases to a collections agency, overhauled its policies to strengthen internal controls, and implemented extensive staff training to improve compliance and fraud detection.
What is the role of the Office of Inspector General in Jacksonville?
The Office of Inspector General provides independent oversight of government operations, detects and prevents fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct, and other abuses, and promotes economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in government. It conducts audits, investigations, and contract oversight, requiring production of documents and receiving full and unrestricted access to records.
Key Features of the Jacksonville Housing Authority’s Recent Actions
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Referral to Collections | Forwarding cases to a collections agency to recover over $70,000 in unreported income. |
| Policy Reforms | Overhauling internal policies to strengthen controls and prevent future fraud. |
| Staff Training | Implementing extensive training programs to improve compliance and fraud detection. |
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