The Denver Housing Authority fired CEO Joaquín Cintrón Vega last week after he was placed on administrative leave in mid-May.
DHA is the quasi-governmental public housing agency in Denver, building and managing thousands of subsidized housing units across the city. The agency’s board is appointed by Denver’s mayor and approved by Denver City Council.
Details of his separation were not immediately clear. A statement from DHA’s Board of Commissioners Chair Charles Gilford III said Cintrón Vega was placed on administrative leave two weeks ago for an unspecified reason, while working “toward a mutually acceptable resolution.”
“Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an agreement, and the Board terminated Mr. Cintrón Vega’s employment on May 28,” Gilford III said.
Cintrón Vega did not immediately respond to Denverite’s request for comment. A public records request has been filed to obtain minutes or video from DHA’s May 28 board meeting.
Cintrón Vega joined DHA in April 2024, coming from another public housing authority in Ohio. At the time, the board heralded him as a seasoned housing leader who fit the mission of the organization.
He was often seen sharply dressed at events concerning housing affordability. A Facebook post from DHA on his one-year anniversary touted achievements like expanding affordable housing opportunities, advancing sustainability initiatives and strengthening partnerships with government leaders.
DHA is deeply involved in Denver’s quest to build and secure more affordable housing. Last year, the public housing authority opened its seventh Sun Valley apartment building, its final project in the neighborhood it tore down in an attempt to build a denser, mixed-income community.
The entity said it is looking for its next leader in a nationwide search. In the meantime, Joshua Crawley, DHA’s chief legal officer, is acting as its interim CEO.
