The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) has officially notified the Texas Attorney General of a data breach following a ransomware attack that exposed sensitive personal information of more than 30,000 individuals. The organization, which provides affordable housing services to thousands of Houston residents, initially discovered the cyberattack in September 2024 but recently updated its disclosure, offering new details about the extent of the breach.
According to the revised notice filed on March 28, 2025, hackers gained unauthorized access to consumer data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account details, medical information, health insurance data, and dates of birth. The attack was first detected on September 22, 2024, one day after the breach occurred. While HHA initially believed it had contained the threat, the US Department of Homeland Security later informed the organization that ransomware was still present on one of its systems.
Further investigations revealed that the cybercriminals responsible for the breach had successfully exfiltrated 38GB of confidential data. In response, HHA conducted a thorough review of the compromised files to identify affected individuals. While the specific data exposed varies from person to person, the breach primarily impacted Texans associated with HHA’s services.
The Houston Housing Authority initially acknowledged the cyberattack in a November 2024 press release, and multiple media outlets reported on the incident. However, the recent filing with the Texas Attorney General provides additional clarity on the scope of the breach and the number of affected individuals. As of now, HHA has not confirmed whether it has begun mailing formal data breach notification letters to those impacted, though it is expected to do so in the near future. These letters will outline which specific pieces of personal information were compromised.
HHA, established in 1938, plays a critical role in Houston’s affordable housing sector. The organization administers approximately 2,600 public housing units and 18,900 Housing Choice Voucher units, serving over 60,000 residents. With an estimated annual revenue of US$36 million and a workforce of about 157 employees, HHA provides housing solutions and support services to low-income individuals and families.
