The scrutiny comes after toxic ash from a former trash incineration plant was discovered buried on part of the site last year. Despite this finding, the Housing Authority has consistently asserted that the soil is safe for the development of The Pointe at Bayou Bend apartments.
In a significant development, investigators from several federal agencies spent the day collecting soil samples at the site of a contentious low-income housing project located in Houston’s Second Ward. The Houston Housing Authority, which oversees the property at 800 Middle Street, confirmed it was served with a search warrant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General.
The scrutiny comes after toxic ash from a former trash incineration plant was discovered buried on part of the site last year. Despite this finding, the Housing Authority has consistently asserted that the soil is safe for the development of The Pointe at Bayou Bend apartments.
According to ABC News, the Housing Authority’s 2021 application for state funding notably failed to acknowledge any environmental hazards present on the 26-acre site, even though toxic ash is known to contain harmful substances like arsenic and lead. Local developer Tony Padua, a vocal opponent of the project, criticized the decision to build housing on such contaminated land.
Last year, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) cited the Housing Authority for four violations, including failure to obtain samples of the toxic ash and not notifying regulators about its discovery during construction. As of Tuesday, the TCEQ confirmed that none of the cited issues had been addressed.
“This is a huge red flag,” said Jackie Medcalf, founder and executive director of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance. “If TCEQ is saying that the issues haven’t been resolved, it absolutely warrants additional oversight, which is exactly what they’re getting from the federal government.”
The Housing Authority has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these violations. As the investigation unfolds, concerns about the safety and oversight of the housing project continue to mount.
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