RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The CEO of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) declined to answer questions during a press conference on Friday after a new report called the organization "troubled." The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gave RRHA a 58 out of 100 b ased on its review of the agency in fiscal year 2024. RRHA is designed to provide affordable housing through federal funding to Richmond residents in need. RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith said during the press conference on Friday, Oct. 23 that the score doesn’t represent where the agency is at today, but wouldn't take any questions afterward -- such as, who is actually responsible and how the score compares to previous years.   "I'm not taking any questions," Nesmith said right before walking out of the press conference. "I wanted to come to this press conference to correct the record on our PHAS score from HUD. And I thank you. Thank you everyone. Let's go."  Under federal law, “troubled” means the agency has failed to meet federal performance and operational standards.    According to the report obtained by 8News, the RRHA scored 7 out of 25 in the management category, 29 out of 40 in the physical conditions category, 17 out of 25 in the financial category and 5 out of 10 for the capital fund.  But Nesmith only pointed to two areas responsible for the score: residents not paying rent and low unit occupancy.  "If minimum rent is not paid, and in a climate when we're getting fewer and fewer federal dollars to operate, we can't provide the necessary services to our residents," he said.   There was no mention of the score of 7 out of 25 when it comes to management.  Nesmith said the score has no impact on the agency's current operations -- so if not HUD, what can have an impact?  8News tried to ask Nesmith questions as he was getting on the elevator after the press conference. He said to email him the questions, which have not been answered at the time of this reporting. He said the score is not representative of the current state of the RRHA, but didn't provide answers to how the agency has changed over the past two years.   "I talked with HUD Washington D.C. and they said to me -- and you can quote it, please do," Nesmith said. "HUD Washington D.C. confirmed that HUD's PHAS score of 58 points represents -- and I'm quoting, [this is] not from me talking, I'm gonna make sure -- represents a performance review from two years ago in FY24 and not the agency's current status of 2026. I think it's important, because HUD D.C. allowed me to quote them." Richmond Mayor Danny Avula shared the following statement with 8News regarding the situation: "Redeveloping public housing remains one of my administration's highest priorities, which is why RRHA's troubled designation is concerning. It could make it more difficult for their authority to secure the federal approvals and financing needed to advance redevelopment efforts. Given City Council's oversight role of the RRHA Board, their engagement is critical to ensuring the accountability, support, and transparency needed to move redevelopment forward for the sake of the residents."  In the backdrop of all of this are allegations against at least two RRHA maintenance workers made by Gilpin Court residents who said the men asked for sexual favors in exchange for home repairs. We know one of those workers was fired and the other was transferred. ...read more read less