Street said in an interview that the five-member board needed to "get our arms around" the agency's spending. He said the goal was to determine who is performing "critical functions."
PHA is operating under a cloud of uncertainty following revelations about Executive Director Carl R. Greene, his apparent mistreatment of employees, four sexual harassment complaints, and questions about nonprofits he created under the auspices of the Housing Authority.
Greene, who is seeking treatment at an undisclosed medical facility for stress-related issues, was suspended by the board on Aug. 26 for 30 days.
For one of the nonprofits - the Pennsylvania Institute of Affordable Housing Professionals (PIAHP) - the Housing Authority decided this week to suspend weekly payments from employees.
Nonunion employees had been pressured to pay $2.12 a week to the nonprofit, reportedly for "team-building" social outings.
Nichole Tillman, a PHA spokeswoman, said the payments were suspended because there were no activities planned.
Street said the decision to stop the payments was made quickly by staff and the board. "Everyone is happy about it," Street said, "especially the people who were paying it."
The U.S. attorney has subpoenaed PHA for PIAHP's records, as well as documents for two other organizations started by PHA and a scholarship fund named for Greene.
Greene, who is paid more than $300,000 a year, is facing financial problems. The IRS in December 2009 slapped him for $52,000 in unpaid taxes for four years.
Last spring, Wells Fargo Bank foreclosed on his $615,000 townhouse in the Naval Square development in southwest Center City after three missed mortgage payments.
PHA is the subject of an investigation by the U.S. attorney as well as an audit by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
