This incompetence was recently documented in a report by the Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis (FHCMM) in a report entitled “Behind Closed Doors”.

The introduction of  “Behind Closed Doors” makes the following powerful statement regarding report independence:

No government, business, or community organization solicited, requested, or directly invited this report.

In other words, the Behind Closed Doors report is the product of FHCMM grassroots advocacy, incented by Memphis citizen MHA concerns. On 3/25/26, Ms Chenise Anthony, FHCMM Executive Director, appeared before the Shelby County Commission Core City Neighborhoods and Housing Committee (at 03:11:00) to provide report testimony.

Anthony’s public testimony resulted in the Memphis City Council being formally noticed by Commissioner Henri Brooks, Chair of the Shelby County Commission Core City Neighborhoods and Housing Committee.

The City Council has direct oversight authority over MHA, with Councilor Rhonda Logan serving as Chair of the Housing and Community Development Committee. Logan can expect Anthony to provide candid testimony regarding, like MATA, MHA incompetency as formally documented in the Behind Closed Doors report.

Failure to serve the tenants participating in MHA’s housing programs by:

Terminating housing choice vouchers without notice or the ability to appeal the termination.

Making access to MHA staff difficult or impossible including posting rules for how tenants are to dress when coming into the MHA offices.

Making it difficult for tenants to get access to their MHA files or information that is included in their files.

Failing to serve tenants with limited English proficiency.

Failing to adequately train its staff on fair housing laws.

Treating tenants with disabilities differently in violation of the Tennessee and federal fair housing laws by:

Not responding to requests for reasonable accommodations timely or appropriately.

Not providing area residents with disabilities with assistance in joining the MHA’s waiting lists.

Failing to identify and publicize the name and contact information for MHA’s Section 504 coordinator who can resolve issues regarding access to the MHA’s housing programs for people with disabilities.

Failing to identify and correct any barriers to participation for people with disabilities.  

Failing to train its staff, tenants, and partner housing providers on fair housing laws.

Lack of transparency in its governance by:

Failing to give accurate and timely notice of the meetings of its Board of Directors, as well as notices of cancellations and when meetings will be held virtually.

Failing to publicize the names and contact information for the tenant Board representatives.

Not posting the minutes of meetings which have been held promptly.

Failing to hold public Board of Directors’ meetings in accordance with Tennessee Open Meetings Act.

Next Up, Memphis City Council testimony and hopefully more rigorous MHA oversight. We will see….