Houston Housing Authority pays $11.4 million for vacant church property with no plan in sight

A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve.

Oct 15, 2025 - 22:00

Houston Housing Authority pays $11.4 million for vacant church property with no plan in sight

Housing is the single biggest monthly cost for most families. And in Houston, rent and home prices have risen far faster than paychecks, pushing thousands toward assistance just to keep a roof over their heads. But after months of digging, The KPRC 2 Investigates team uncovered millions diverted by the Houston Housing Authority, with not a single cent benefiting the people it exists to serve.

Church property purchased, destroyed and lot still sits empty

A KPRC 2 investigation has uncovered millions of dollars in questionable spending by the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), including an $11.4 million property purchase that currently sits vacant with no development plans.

The investigation revealed that HHA purchased a former church property in Houston’s Fifth Ward for $11.4 million - nearly $5 million more than what the previous owner paid just two and a half years earlier. A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis spent months digging into records and tracking down all of those involved to get answers.

Chris Senegal, a developer who markets himself as “Mr. Buy the Block,” initially purchased the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church property, known locally as “The Dome Church,” for $6.7 million in December 2020.

Senegal proposed plans for a 300-unit apartment complex in partnership with the Housing Authority.

However, internal HHA documents show the property scored only 54 points out of 100 for low-income housing potential, citing poor access to schools, jobs, and grocery stores. Despite this low score, HHA proceeded to purchase the property at the inflated price. A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis spent months digging into records and tracking down all of those involved to get answers.

Financial irregularities

Documents obtained by KPRC 2 Investigates show:

Three companies owned by Senegal received $3.3 million from the sale
Senegal failed to repay $132,000 in back taxes he agreed to refund to HHA
HHA spent an additional $640,000 to demolish the church in December

“Did someone benefit from that purchase? Why did we purchase a piece of land when there was no real plan for it?” questioned Jamie Bryant, HHA’s new president and CEO, who was hired after the previous president resigned amid a separate contract scandal. A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis spent months digging into records and tracking down all of those involved to get answers.

Wider impact as thousands wait for housing help in Houston

The property purchase has drawn criticism from housing advocates and those waiting for assistance.

“It’s very disheartening,” said Nicole, a single mother who waited four years for housing assistance. She noted that thousands of others could have benefited from the millions spent on the vacant lot. A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis spent months digging into records and tracking down all of those involved to get answers.

Ben Martin of Texas Housers, a nonprofit advocating for low-income housing access, emphasized the broader implications.

“Really the tragedy in what you just described is that ultimately the losers here are going to be low-income people who need housing,” said Martin.

“It’s really important for the public trust that the housing authority is able to articulate where they’re going with this property and what the plan is for it.” A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis spent months digging into records and tracking down all of those involved to get answers.

Pattern of questionable purchases

This isn’t an isolated incident. Under the previous administration, the Housing Authority made several other property purchases that currently sit vacant without development plans.

Current HHA President Jamie Bryant says the agency is still determining plans for the property, while questions remain about the decision-making process that led to its purchase. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis talks with the new Houston Housing Authority CEO. HHA has been the center of a months-long KPRC 2 Investigation into money mismanagement. Jamie Bryant says he is making changes across the board thanks, in part, to what KPRC 2 Investigates uncovered.

This KPRC 2 Investigation involved months of research, including:

Review of public records and email correspondence
Multiple attempts to contact former HHA officials
Analysis of property documents and financial records

A KPRC 2 investigation found that while thousands of Houston families struggle with rising housing costs, the Houston Housing Authority diverted millions of dollars meant to help them, benefitting none of the people it's meant to serve. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis spent months digging into records and tracking down all of those involved to get answers.

Results from previous KPRC 2 investigation into HHA

The KPRC 2 Investigates team first uncovered shady contracts at the Houston Housing Authority that cost you millions of dollars. In May an outside investigation commissioned by the HHA board confirmed our findings.

In part, our months-long KPRC 2 Investigation uncovered misused money and led to the resignation of then-CEO David Northern.

The findings showed: “Significant lapses in process and procedures within HHA concerning the award of contracts, as well as contract administration and procedure, including the review and approval of payments under awarded contracts.”

The investigation focused on two HHA projects: the AC window installation project at Cuney Homes and the Columbia Tap Trail Project.

Check out more: HHA investigation results

Our investigation into the Houston Housing Authority started with emails from viewers who had questions and needed help.

Do you have a question or topic idea for us? Email ADavis@kprc.com and producer Andrea Slaydon at Aslaydon@kprc.com.