JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A member of the Jacksonville Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners is suing the agency and its CEO in federal court, alleging her constitutional rights were violated when her housing assistance was terminated without a hearing.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
Action News Jax’s Ben Becker has learned Harriet Brock, who serves as the board secretary and is also a resident receiving housing assistance, filed the lawsuit after losing her Section 8 housing voucher.
The lawsuit
According to the complaint, the Jacksonville Housing Authority demanded Brock repay more than $9,000 after determining there was unreported family income associated with her household.
Brock’s attorneys contend the agency terminated her voucher without providing an administrative hearing, potentially leaving her at risk of losing her housing.
The lawsuit argues the lack of a hearing violated Brock’s due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Action News Jax reached out to the Jacksonville Housing Authority for comment. A spokesperson provided the following statement:
“The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is committed to the highest standards of integrity and absolute compliance with all federal HUD regulations. As a matter of strict agency policy and out of respect for due process, we do not comment on, confirm or deny the existence of any ongoing or potential investigations involving personnel, program participants or board members.
“Our agency remains fully focused on its core mission: providing safe, sustainable and affordable housing opportunities to individuals/families in need.
“All JHA daily operations and housing assistance programs continue to function normally without interruption.”
Past problems
The lawsuit is the latest development involving an agency that has faced a series of challenges in recent years.
Action News Jax has reported extensively on issues at the Jacksonville Housing Authority over the past two years, including vendor payment concerns, the outsourcing of dozens of positions, executive and board member resignations, criminal charges filed against a former deputy chief financial officer, and multiple investigations by Jacksonville’s Office of Inspector General.
What’s next
Becker reached out to Brock for comment, but she declined, citing pending litigation.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
