Pittsburgh Housing Authority Appoints New Agency Director
The appointment begins a transition phase for the $255 million agency as contractors await new procurement priorities.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust a new local agency leader if they are currently under an ethics investigation?
Ivory Mathews assumed the role of director for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh on October 1, 2026. The new leader steps in to oversee an agency with a $255 million annual budget and 18,000 tenants following the retirement of long-time director Caster D. Binion.
Why it matters
The change in leadership brings a shift in operational focus for the city's largest public housing provider as Mathews begins a 90-day listening tour. The agency, which manages 2,200 public housing units, is currently navigating the transition while facing external scrutiny regarding the new director's background.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh manages a $255 million annual budget and 2,200 housing units for over 18,000 tenants. New director Ivory Mathews earns an annual salary of $250,000.
The players
Ivory Mathews
The current director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh who also serves as senior vice president of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.
Caster D. Binion
The former director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh who retired after a 14-year tenure.
Oregon Government Ethics Commission
The state regulatory body that voted to investigate travel expenses involving Mathews during her previous employment.
Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
A public agency managing a $255 million budget and over 2,200 units of housing for city residents.
The details
Mathews, 52, is initiating a 90-day listening tour to engage with city leaders, stakeholders, and the tenant council to assess current housing needs. This transition follows the departure of Caster D. Binion, who served as director for 14 years. Simultaneously, Mathews faces an ongoing ethics probe initiated in August 2026 by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission concerning prior travel expenses and hotel usage.
Timeline
August 2026: The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted to investigate travel expenses.
Last month: Caster D. Binion retired from the housing authority.
October 1, 2026: Ivory Mathews assumed the role of HACP director.
October 22, 2026: Mathews attended her first HACP board meeting.
Market Landscape
The transition follows the standards set by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission regarding public fund usage and travel expense disclosures. This investigation marks a departure from the typical transition of municipal agency leadership.
Local vendors and contractors should monitor the agency's upcoming board meetings as Mathews sets her priorities for the $255 million budget. Operators in property management should note that the 90-day listening tour will likely shift project procurement and maintenance scheduling.
The takeaway
The agency transition highlights the importance of vetting executive leadership in public-facing municipal roles. Stakeholders should track outcomes from the upcoming tenant council meetings to identify shifts in housing authority capital expenditure priorities.
Further reading
For more on municipal leadership changes, visit the People section.
Live Poll
Do you trust a new local agency leader if they are currently under an ethics investigation?
