Senior HUD Officials Engage in Crucial Meeting with Little Rock Housing Leaders
Recently, high-ranking officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) met with the leaders of the Little Rock Housing Authority in a pivotal discussion aimed at averting a potential takeover of the local agency.
This meeting follows a tumultuous period in the agency’s history, marked by allegations of mismanagement and questionable spending practices. The agency had faced scrutiny after HUD auditors identified million in questionable spending, leading to an order to repay .2 million in federal funds. Furthermore, there were claims of abuse of power and mismanagement, which had led to the firing of Nadine Jarmon, the previous executive director, in August 2021.
In a significant development, the Little Rock Housing Authority Board has since reinstated Jarmon as executive director. This decision was contingent upon her dropping a lawsuit she had filed against the agency in December 2021. The move is seen as a positive step towards restructuring and reform, leveraging Jarmon’s extensive experience and commitment to the community.
During her tenure at the Hot Springs Housing Authority, Jarmon had successfully navigated challenges related to public housing stock conversion and had worked towards improving the quality of housing services. Her reinstatement is expected to bring a renewed focus on these critical issues in Little Rock as well.
As the agency continues to grapple with the challenges, the meeting with senior HUD officials underscores the importance of cooperation and reform. It is hoped that this engagement will pave the way for lasting improvements in the delivery of low-income housing services in Little Rock.
