JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The I-TEAM has learned that the executive director of a local housing nonprofit has resigned her position as chair of the Jacksonville Housing Authority.
Carrie Davis submitted her resignation letter to Mayor Lenny Curry on June 23, effective June 30. Davis, who also serves as executive director of Wealth Watchers, cited professional obligations as the reason for her decision.
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The Jacksonville Housing Authority, created by the city in September 1994, oversees more than 20 public housing sites in Duval County, and also administers the Section 8 public housing voucher program. Its board consists of seven members who are appointed by the mayor, and 11 advisory members.
In her resignation letter, Davis stated that she is proud of the authority’s accomplishments during her leadership and her time on the board.
The president and CEO of the JHA, Fred McKinnies, told the I-TEAM, “Carrie Davis has served very well over here and she was an excellent chair. We have done very well as a board under her leadership. She has other priorities now, I guess, as stated in her letter.”
Davis has been executive director of Wealth Watchers since 2008. The organization, which provides housing counseling and is a community housing development organization, was formed in December 2001.
Last month, the I-TEAM reported on a state investigation into Wealth Watchers, being conducted by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, an agency that oversees grant money for affordable housing programs. Wealth Watchers previously advertised a partnership with Florida Housing online, but a spokesperson for Florida Housing told the I-TEAM it has canceled that contract. The mention of the partnership has since been removed from the Wealth Watchers website, Davis said.
In an email to the I-TEAM Monday, Davis stated Wealth Watchers is not aware of any investigation by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The FHFC tells the I-TEAM their investigation into the non-profit has not yet concluded.
The head of the JHA declined to comment. The I-TEAM also contacted the Mayor's Office for comment, but has not yet heard back.