Island residents have a chance today and Wednesday to meet with the Galveston Housing Authority’s new executive director.

Stanley Lowe, formerly a former chief of public housing in Pittsburgh, Pa., was hired in February. He is head of the agency managing the controversial rebuild of 529 public housing units damaged in Hurricane Ike.

As part of the rebuild, the housing authority has said it will replace the public housing units within mixed-income developments that include market rate and tax credit units. St. Louis-based McCormack Baron Salazar would own and manage the developments.

Lowe served as executive director of the Pittsburgh Housing Authority from 1994 to 2001. He managed 450 employees and was responsible for a budget of more than $85 million. In the past 10 years, he worked as a consultant and is president and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh Neighborhood Preservation Services.

The receptions will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today and Wednesday at the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway.

Tonight's event is tailored mostly for housing authority residents, while Wednesday's is mostly for the general public.

GALVESTON — The Galveston Housing Authority is asking HUD to help resolve a disagreement about the housing authority's plan to rebuild public housing on the island.

As part of the plan to rebuild some of the 569 public-housing units destroyed in Hurricane Ike in 2008, the housing authority said it will replace the public-housing units within mixed-income developments that include market-rate and tax-credit units. St. Louis-based McCormack Baron Salazar would own and manage the developments.

State officials have said they are worried about the financing for the $167 million plan.

Below are the letters sent to HUD, the Texas General Land Office and the housing authority's amended financing plan:

Letters show GHA effort to resolve funding impasse

Before the Galveston Housing Authority board voted to amend its plan to rebuild public housing, the Texas General Land Office sent the housing authority a letter detailing some restrictions on the rebuild.

The letter also says a final plan is due to the state by April 23. Housing authority officials said the amended plan will be submitted before the deadline.

Related story: GLO concerned about GHA plans to pay for rebuild

Here's a look at the letter:

GLO details rebuilding restrictions

At the request of Michael Truncale and members of his local campaign, Ted Poe, R-Texas, has asked the U.S. Oversight and Government Reform Committee to investigate the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s involvement in public housing on the island. Poe represents parts of Harris, Liberty and Jefferson counties.

See Related Story: Congressman calls for HUD, isle housing probe

Here's a look at the letter Poe sent after critics of the Galveston Housing Authority's plan to rebuild some of the public housing destroyed in Hurricane Ike met with him.

Congressman requests HUD investigation



Editor's Note: Updated to reflect that the request did not come from the Galveston Open Government Project. The GOGP contacted many members of Congress, including Issa and Cummings, in the spring of 2011 requesting an investigation, but did not contact Congressman Poe, according to David Stanowski.

GALVESTON — Housing authority officials are working on a list of frequently asked questions about their plan to rebuild public housing on the island.

To tide over the interested, here’s a list of Galveston Housing Authority answers to questions from a homeowners association concerned about a scattered site public housing unit proposed next to them. The scattered site, 3615 83rd St., neighbors the Sand Castle Condominiums, 8228-8416 Seawall Blvd.

Housing Authority Answers



The answers are an outline of restrictions public housing residents will have to follow once they move in. It's a good list of questions I’ve continually heard brought up from the public.

Earlier this week, a packed room voiced concerns about the scattered sites at a public hearing with many asking for more information about the project.

The housing authority has proposed that at least 50 of the 569 public housing units destroyed in Hurricane Ike be rebuilt at scattered sites throughout the island.

GALVESTON — Mayor Joe Jaworski joined The Oak Ridge Boys onstage at The Grand 1894 Opera House this week, taking up a pair of drumsticks to play surf rock favorite "Wipe Out" with the quartet.

While he didn't throw his drumsticks into the crowd following the performance, Jaworski did present the band with keys to the city and a proclamation.

Check out the mayor rocking it out below:

For those who couldn't make it to the Galveston Housing Authority's "Public Housing 101" workshop, here's a copy of the presentation.

MaryAnn Russ, chief executive officer and president for the Dallas Housing Authority, spent about an hour this week walking through some of the housing authority's history and policies.

The meeting was an educational forum for city council and mayoral candidates and not a public debate. Politics aside, what other specific questions do you have about the housing authority's policies?

Public Housing 101