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March 31, 2025

Skagit County Commissioners Set Hearing on Removal of Housing Authority Board Commissioner Daniel Valdez

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners announced today it has taken action to consider removal of Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC) Commissioner Daniel Valdez. The action comes after a review found evidence that Mr. Valdez as Chair of the Board engaged in activities which hindered other HASC Commissioners in their duties and failed to take action for appropriate accountability under state and federal law pertaining to local public housing authorities.

Local public housing authorities are taxpayer-supported public agencies authorized under Washington code to administer certain federal housing programs. Skagit County formed HASC in 1979 to bring Housing Choice Vouchers, previously known as Section 8, to the community. These vouchers are fully funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). By law, HASC is governed by a board whose members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. HASC expanded its programs several years ago to include housing development and preservation.

According to County Commission Chair Lisa Janicki, other HASC Commissioners raised concerns about Mr. Valdez and his methods of conducting business as the Chair. The concerns were grave enough that the County was asked to consider avenues to remove Mr. Valdez.

The Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reviewed information from a third-party consultant who conducted an investigation into the allegations. There were findings that Mr. Valdez failed in his responsibilities as a member of a governing body over a Washington state public agency. Mr. Valdez blocked financial and operational oversight documents from the HASC Board, attempted to obstruct HASC Board members from communicating with HASC leadership, and was negligent in ensuring conformance with federal regulations related to governance of a local public housing authority administering Housing Choice Vouchers.

Based on the findings of this review, which have been provided to Mr. Valdez, the County Commissioners have determined that Mr. Valdez’s conduct as a commissioner and chair of the HASC Board has harmed the integrity of the organization and the broader public interest, and that it is likely necessary to remove him from the five-member commission.

“The Skagit County Commissioners have a fiduciary duty to ensure the local housing authority is operating in a manner which best serves the community,” said Commissioner Janicki. “We expect HASC board members to be transparent, collaborative, and vigorous in the deployment of housing authority dollars and services. The conduct of Commissioner Valdez fell well short of these expectations at the expense of our most vulnerable community members, leaving us with no choice but to take the extraordinary action of removing him.”

According to RCW 35.82.060, Mr. Valdez must be given a copy of the charges at least ten days prior to the hearing and have an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel. A public hearing has been scheduled for April 14, 2025.

Should the Commissioners determine that Mr. Valdez should be removed as a Commissioner of HASC, the County would immediately begin recruiting for a replacement commissioner to ensure HASC business would be conducted with a full board.