City of Milwaukee housing authority is 'troubled,' according to critical federal report

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is calling the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) "troubled" in a newly released scathing report.

The letter was written in October but wasn't made public until Wednesday, Dec. 11, during a HACM board meeting.

Addressed to HACM leaders and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, HUD touched on several serious issues from HACM, including the failure to provide high-quality public housing, a lack of board staffing, and poor financial management that doesn't meet federal regulations.

In interviews conducted with HACM, HUD also said they believe the authority is not correctly reporting cash in its audit filings, or accurate financial information overall.

HACM and its executive director, Willie Hines, have faced years of scrutiny from residents who have shared stories involving pest infestations and a lack of overall safety concerns.

Hines recently announced his retirement effective Jan. 1 -- but it's unclear if what was said in HUD's letter impacted that decision or its timing.

The search is now underway for replacement leadership, with the commission telling meeting attendees they are working on plans for the future, and that the issues in the letter will be addressed "soon" in public sessions.