The Corpus Christi Housing Authority has named Rhen C. Bass Sr. as President and CEO after serving 100 days in the interim role.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Housing Authority and Coastal Housing Partners have named Rhen C. Bass Sr., CPA, as President and Chief Executive Officer following a 100-day interim appointment.
Chair Cathy Mehne said Bass earned the board’s confidence through his leadership and commitment to the agency.
“Rhen has earned the trust of this Board through action,” Mehne said. “His steady leadership, financial discipline, and deep commitment to our mission have stabilized the organization and prepared us for strategic growth.”
According to a news release from the Housing Authority, Bass brings 47 years of executive leadership experience in finance, auditing, affordable housing and organizational management. During his time as interim president and CEO, the agency said he stabilized operations, strengthened financial oversight, enhanced internal controls and reinforced a culture focused on accountability and resident-centered service.
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence,” Bass said. “Our responsibility is to serve families with integrity, transparency, and purpose. We will continue strengthening this organization and expanding opportunities for the residents who depend on us.”
Bass stepped into the interim leadership role in September after the board voted to terminate longtime CEO John Allsup, who had led the agency since 2011.
That decision followed a city investigation earlier in the year that found the Housing Authority had entered into agreements with apartment complexes that removed portions of those properties from local tax rolls. City officials said the deals were made without required city approval and estimated the loss in tax revenue could reach up to $3 million.
The agreements allowed apartment owners to designate some units as low-income housing in exchange for tax exemptions. City leaders later questioned whether those deals were authorized under state law or the Housing Authority’s own bylaws.
The appointment comes as the Housing Authority faces an ongoing lawsuit in Nueces County alleging the agency violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when it proposed canceling dozens of low-income housing agreements.
The lawsuit, filed by owners of 13 apartment complexes, seeks to block the agency from voiding more than 50 housing agreements approved by a previous board. The contracts allowed portions of existing apartment complexes to be designated as low-income housing in exchange for removing those properties from local tax rolls.
Developers have argued canceling the agreements could displace families living in units designated as affordable housing, while the Housing Authority has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
Bass previously served five years as chief financial officer for the organization, overseeing financial operations, compliance, audits and development finance initiatives aimed at long-term sustainability and strategic growth.
A native of Pontiac, Michigan, Bass is a licensed certified public accountant who began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Detroit. He has also mentored youth, served as a board trustee for Stark College and Seminary, volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care and held national leadership roles within Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.