Letter to the Editor: The Crisis Isn’t a Door—It’s the Absence of Houses
Opinion
By Avis Robinson , LHA
While the recent Davidson Local article was introduced as an exposé on affordable housing, it reads more like an editorial—driven by opinion, distraction, and emotionally weighted language.
Lexington's affordable housing crisis: Part 1 public housing — DavidsonLocal.com
Even so, LHA welcomes the opportunity to clarify key misrepresentations and offer a more accurate picture of our mission, performance, and modernization efforts.
Public housing is evolving—and it’s time the public conversation evolved with it.
For Community Clarity: the housing crisis is a supply issue—not an access issue. LHA is not a developer. We do not control zoning, construction, or land use. We administer housing choice vouchers and operate within HUD’s RAD program— a nationally recognized model designed to modernize outdated systems and create long-term efficiency.
To hold LHA responsible for a shortage of newly built housing is like blaming the kidneys for the liver’s dysfunction. The real issue is not behind locked doors, but within a limited housing stock that cannot meet the rising demand. The article’s focus on office accessibility and board structure distracts from the true problem: not enough affordable units exist in the market.
LHA has operated with a fully City appointed board for over six years, in full compliance with state guidelines. In a rapidly evolving housing landscape, we’ve chosen strategy over size—maintaining a lean but highly effective
team. While others cling to outdated models, we’ve embraced innovation to stay responsive and resilient. Of the 789 vouchers under our administration, 640 are actively in use. Those still searching aren’t stalled by agency bureaucracy—they’re navigating a market that simply doesn’t have sufficient supply.
LHA welcomes accountability—but accuracy must lead the way. Facts, not frustration, should guide the conversation. The power of journalism deserves to be wielded with precision, not provocation.
The real crisis isn’t behind a locked door—especially when one-on-one service remains available by appointment. The crisis is in the widening gap between available housing and overwhelming demand. LHA remains committed to serving families with professionalism, efficiency, and care.
Sincerely,
Avis Robinson , MA
Executive Director
Lexington Housing Authority
Editor’s Note: Davidson Local began investigating the public housing crisis at the request of local residents and community organizations, many of whom have raised concerns over several years. Some cited a longstanding lack of trust in the Lexington Housing Authority, referencing previous challenges—including financial mismanagement, legal disputes, and HUD investigations—that occurred under prior leadership. After confirming firsthand accounts and reviewing documentation, we proceeded with a series of reports that were peer-reviewed by colleagues and professionals within the journalism industry.
We appreciate the Lexington Housing Authority’s response and have decided to publish it in full, without edits. We don’t shy away from our critics. However, our continued focus is on the experiences of current residents who have reported barriers to access, colleagues who have noted the agency’s absence from recent housing-related events and coalition meetings, and those with vouchers who expressed a desire for safe, open dialogue without fear of retaliation.
It is common for administrations to blame the media. But our role is not to provide comfort—it’s to inform the public. These stories were given in specific detail by the voices of those most affected. When sharing examples, we were told they were true by LHA and given reasons why. We also invited the Lexington Housing Authority to share any positive resident experiences they wished to highlight. We are still awaiting those positive stories to share.
