13 Investigates found the Houston Housing Authority property federal investigators spent the last three days drilling at was purchased for four times more than what the county appraised it at.
Sources tell ABC13 that the investigation at the site is part of a broader federal probe into allegations of corruption within the Housing Authority.
On Tuesday, HHA confirmed with ABC13 that they were served a search warrant by the HUD Office of Inspector General to collect soil samples at their property, The Pointe at Bayou Bend.
The 400-unit low-income Second Ward housing project is currently vacant. The mayor halted move-in there this summer, citing four state environmental violations.
The more than $130 million project is located next to the city’s former incinerator laden with toxic ash.
“It does speak to. Was it the best fit?” new Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo, who represents the site and holds a masters in public health, asked.
Castillo is one of several officials questioning why the land was purchased for affordable housing in the first place.