CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing mounting pressure to appoint a new CEO to lead the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), a vital public agency grappling with lawsuits, resident mistrust, and a slew of leadership changes amid growing calls for accountability and affordable housing.
A Leadership Crisis Amid Housing Turmoil
The CHA, the third-largest public housing authority in the country, has seen dramatic turnover and internal strife over the past year. Following the departure of CEO Tracey Scott in November 2024, interim CEO Angela Hurlock stepped in during a time many describe as chaotic.
The agency is still reeling from a $24 million jury award tied to lead paint poisoning of children in CHA housing. That ruling also sparked fallout with property managers like The Habitat Company, which cut ties with CHA and later sued the agency over its handling of the lawsuit.
Simultaneously, at least eight top executives, including the COO and general counsel, have exited or been terminated since August — some amid allegations of mismanagement and toxic workplace culture.
Mayor Johnson’s Opportunity — and Challenge
Johnson, who campaigned on housing reform and vowed to protect public land for residential use, now has the power to appoint the next permanent CHA CEO. But sources and advocates say his decision could define the success of his broader housing agenda…