News Summary

Jacksonville Housing Authority is undergoing significant leadership changes as COO Victor Figueroa and IT Director Evann Morris reportedly exit the agency. With former interim CEO Roslyn Phillips returning as COO, and rising controversies including previous resignations and investigations, concerns about the agency’s stability are mounting. The Authority is seeking a permanent CEO amid a housing crisis, with the board negotiating with George Guy, a well-regarded candidate for the position.

Jacksonville Sees Leadership Shakeup at Housing Authority

Jacksonville is facing continued leadership turmoil at the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) as two high-ranking officials, Chief Operating Officer Victor Figueroa and IT Director Evann Morris, are reported to no longer be with the agency. While the agency’s spokesperson has declined to confirm their departures, this development adds to a series of changes that have occurred within the authority in a short span of time.

Victor Figueroa joined JHA approximately nine months ago, while Evann Morris had a long tenure with the authority, having served for 17 years. Following their reported exits, former interim CEO Roslyn Phillips will be rejoining the agency as interim COO. In addition, Cheron Corbett Waller has recently taken over as CEO, marking her as the fourth individual to hold the CEO position in 2023 alone. This rapid turnover has raised concerns about the agency’s stability and effectiveness.

The Jacksonville Housing Authority has faced significant challenges over the past year, including leadership instability and controversy. Instances of previous turmoil include the resignation of acting CEO Vanessa Dunn and the arrest of a former Chief Financial Officer. Compounding these issues, several board members have resigned, and multiple investigations by Jacksonville’s Office of Inspector General are currently underway, focusing on the misuse of $2 million in utility cards.

In light of these developments, JHA has stated that necessary changes will be implemented to enhance performance and operations, although they have refrained from commenting on specific personnel matters. The agency has not publicly confirmed the departures of Figueroa and Morris, nor the status of Phillips as COO.

Amid this backdrop, the Housing Authority is actively pursuing a permanent CEO after the resignation of Dwayne Alexander earlier this year. George Guy, who currently oversees the Fort Wayne Housing Authority in Indiana, is the leading candidate for the position. According to JHA’s board, Guy is well-regarded for his experience and national reputation, and they have commenced contract negotiations with him. The advertised salary range for the CEO position is between $250,000 and $300,000.

The Jacksonville Housing Authority manages a considerable number of housing units and programs catering to low and moderate-income families, including the distribution of Section 8 housing vouchers and various resident service programs. These programs encompass career training and homeownership support for low-income residents. The agency operates on a budget of $110 million and employs approximately 200 staff members.

As the housing crisis in Jacksonville continues, JHA has emphasized the importance of expanding affordable housing solutions. The recent leadership changes may significantly impact the agency’s capabilities in addressing the essential needs of the community.

Moving forward, the board’s choice of a permanent CEO will be crucial in guiding JHA through this challenging period and ensuring the agency can effectively continue its mission of providing housing assistance to those in need.

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Additional Resources

• Action News Jax
• Jacksonville.com
• News4Jax
• Florida Politics
• Jax Daily Record
• Wikipedia: Jacksonville Housing Authority
• Google Search: Jacksonville housing authority
• Google Scholar: Jacksonville Housing Authority
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville housing
• Google News: Jacksonville Housing Authority