PITTSBURGH \u2014 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) has a new executive director, though her appointment comes with questions about her past.<\/p>\n
Thursday, HACP\u2019s Board of Commissioners appointed Ivory Mathews, former CEO of Portland\u2019s housing authority, Home Forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter an extensive national search, the Board is thrilled to welcome Ivory Mathews as the next Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh,\u201d HACP Board Chair Wasi Mohamed said in a release. \u201cIvory is a nationally recognized affordable housing executive who brings nearly three decades of transformational leadership, a proven track record of success, and a deep commitment to expanding access to affordable housing. Following a thorough review and extended conversations, we are confident in her ability to lead HACP into an exciting new chapter. We look forward to working together to strengthen our agency, deliver for our residents, and create more opportunities for Pittsburgh families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mathews resigned from Home Forward on May 1. NBC affiliate KGW reports<\/a> that her departure came amid scrutiny over her travel spending.<\/p>\n Reportedly, Mathews spent $100,000 in public funds on airfare, hotels and meals, averaging 45 days on the road each of the past three years.<\/p>\n Mathews told the news outlet Willamette Week<\/a> that her travel to conferences benefited Home Forward.<\/p>\n Mathews will be the first woman to serve as HACP executive director.<\/p>\n She replaces Caster D. Binion, who is set to retire Wednesday. Executive director since 2013, Binion led HACP through a $30 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods award for Larimer and East Liberty.<\/p>\n \u201cCaster Binion gave this agency and this city more than a decade of service, and he brought real investment into neighborhoods that had waited a long time for it,\u201d Mohamed said. \u201cThe Board thanks him and wishes him well in his retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n