The Jacksonville Housing Authority board voted Tuesday in an emergency session to fire its embattled chief executive, Cheron Corbett, a move that could affect thousands of low‑income residents who rely on the authority’s housing vouchers and assistance programs.
According to Jacksonville Today, the board’s decision came after Corbett asked for a large bonus on top of her $300,000 salary. She sought a 12% cut of any development fees paid to the authority, a request that could have amounted to “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” The bonus proposal was labeled “horrific” by newly elected Chairman Daniel Blanchard, who described the authority’s finances as a mess and said Corbett had been offered a chance to resign, which she refused.
Corbett also faced criticism for portraying a 40‑hour workweek requirement for housing‑aid participants as mandatory, even though the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s administrative rule makes it optional. The board noted that the requirement aligns with cuts suggested by the Trump administration, underscoring the city’s recent focus on fiscal responsibility and streamlined assistance.
During the meeting, public comments were more lively than usual. James Brooks, a resident of a Housing Authority property, questioned the “emergency” nature of the session but praised Corbett’s friendliness compared with prior leaders. “I’m having a hard time understanding the emergency,” Brooks said. “I do think you should take a long time to think about your actions and what the results will be.”
Auditor Laura Anne Pray of Doeren Mayhew, a firm that has previously audited the authority, defended Corbett’s performance, noting improvements in the authority’s finances since 2024. “It takes two to three years to get processes, training and people in place. Based on just the trend, we are seeing those improvements,” Pray said.
Corbett’s attorney, Tad Delegal, argued that the board denied her client a chance to defend herself. “It was disappointing,” Delegal said. “We thought we were going to have an opportunity to respond to the allegations, but they had their minds made up before they walked in there.” He also highlighted that the authority’s Housing Choice Voucher program showed an 18% increase in voucher use in 2023, a growth that, according to consultant Nan McKay, represents more housing despite a multimillion‑dollar shortfall.
The board terminated Corbett without cause, which, per News4Jax, entitles her to 22 weeks of severance pay—more than $100,000. Roslyn Mixon‑Phillips, who previously served as interim CEO, will resume leadership while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
Board members emphasized that the action reflects a broader city‑wide effort to tighten oversight of independent agencies, echoing recent scrutiny of JEA and the Jacksonville Transit Authority for financial mismanagement.
What’s next: The Housing Authority will appoint an interim leadership team under Mixon‑Phillips and begin a nationwide search for a new CEO. The board has scheduled a public hearing on the hiring process for next month, giving residents an opportunity to weigh in on the authority’s future direction.
Sources: jaxtoday.org
