The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has asked all five board members to step down to restore confidence and protect funding after the firing of longtime executive director Carl R. Greene and ensuing federal investigations. The board said Greene used about $900,000 in public money to settle sexual harassment allegations.
Blackwell, the only member to vote against firing Greene last fall, said Wednesday that she stepped down with regret but that was in the council's best interest. She said she would welcome reappointment to the board in the future.
Board chairman and former city mayor John F. Street said Saturday that members would not resign, calling that "unwarranted."
