Skip to main content

Support WBUR

U.S. Senator Seeks Probe Of Chelsea Housing Authority

04:23

Sen. Charles Grassley, of Iowa, is calling for a federal inquiry into the Chelsea Housing Authority’s practice of letting managers live in subsidized public housing while hundreds of low-income families languish on waiting lists.

The Republican has asked federal housing officials to send him documents related to the agency’s policy of allowing employees making $50,000 a year to live in public housing for $25 in monthly rent.

Grassley is already investigating former authority Director Michael McLaughlin, who resigned after misleading state officials over the size of his $360,000 salary.

The housing authority in Chelsea gets about $10 million a year in federal money. Federal housing officials say they are cooperating with Grassley.

Click "Listen Now" for an interview with Grassley. With additional reporting by The Associated Press

This program aired on February 8, 2012.

Headshot of Bob Oakes
Bob Oakes Senior Correspondent

Bob Oakes was a senior correspondent in the WBUR newsroom, a role he took on in 2021 after nearly three decades hosting WBUR's Morning Edition.

More…

Support WBUR

Support WBUR

Listen Live