Columbus’ top housing official is under the microscope after records showed his total compensation soaring into the high six figures, even as federal auditors flagged problems in the agency’s voucher program.
Charles Hillman, president and CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), received roughly $858,000 in total pay in 2025, and the agency projects he will make at least $800,000 in 2026. That package, which includes salary, bonuses, and other payouts, has sparked renewed criticism in light of a recent federal audit and earlier disputes over how the authority is run.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Hillman’s compensation puts him ahead of executives who manage much larger housing systems. CMHA’s board, for its part, has defended the pay as tied to an aggressive push on development and complex financing deals meant to expand affordable housing.
Federal Audit Fuels Local Backlash
A June 2024 audit from the HUD Office of Inspector General found CMHA did not always ensure its Housing Choice Voucher units met federal housing quality standards. Auditors estimated the authority could ultimately pay nearly $36 million for units with unresolved deficiencies.
The report faulted CMHA’s oversight of contractors, calling for stronger controls to stop improper payments and better protect residents who rely on vouchers. The findings handed critics fresh ammunition as they questioned whether top-dollar executive pay squares with ongoing compliance issues.
Agency Points To Growth And High Marks
CMHA and its board argue Hillman’s compensation reflects a broader strategy that leans on mixed‑income development, bond financing and private partnerships to bring more affordable units to Columbus.
CMHA’s website touts a portfolio of nearly 6,000 mixed‑income homes. The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland has also noted the agency’s A+ rating from S&P and record development activity in 2024, benchmarks CMHA points to as evidence that its approach is working.
Earlier Raises Already Stirred Tempers
The latest figures land on top of earlier pay bumps that had already stirred local frustration over how public housing dollars are used. In 2024, the CMHA board approved a $150,000 raise that pushed Hillman’s base salary to about $550,000.
WOSU reported on that raise and noted it came as CMHA was experimenting with privatizing parts of its voucher program. That shift brought complaints from both tenants and landlords, adding to the tension around the agency’s leadership and priorities.
How Hillman’s Pay Compares
Hillman’s compensation, as detailed by The Columbus Dispatch, outpaces what is reported for housing leaders in several much larger cities. The paper cited 2025 figures of $532,752 in Los Angeles, $399,000 in New York, and $573,750 in Philadelphia as comparison points.
What Comes Next
The audit from the HUD Office of Inspector General laid out a series of corrective steps for CMHA and restored a sharper level of federal oversight on the agency’s voucher work. With public scrutiny mounting, CMHA’s board is likely to face continued questions about how it benchmarks executive pay and handles governance.
The inspector general recommended that HUD and CMHA take specific actions to strengthen inspections and stop payments for units that do not meet federal standards, setting the stage for ongoing debate over performance, accountability, and what taxpayers should be funding at the top.
