Lindsey’s letter was “provided in response to the various attempts to shape the narrative in the Little Rock community pertaining to the role of the Board of Commissioners, Finances, and the existence of Central Arkansas Housing Corporation and their structure.”
A lot has been happening at the Little Rock housing authority, which is formally known as the Metropolitan Housing Alliance. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. on Wednesday alerted everyone on the five-member, self-appointing commission they should resign from their positions immediately in light of recent troubling money and management issues.
The call for resignations follows years of poor financial management at the Metropolitan Housing Alliance and reports from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that detail money and management mishaps.
An August report from the federal agency noted the Little Rock housing authority was “troubled” and requested the group submit a recovery plan. The Central Arkansas Housing Corporation, a nonprofit created by the housing authority, was also included in the accusations of wrongdoings. Nearly $30 million between the two entities is in question.
Two of the commissioners, Lindsey and Branndii Peterson, are up for a second term at the end of September. A spot formerly filled by Louis Jackson is vacant after he resigned in August. Kerry Wright and Leta Anthony make up the remaining two positions. City officials are responsible for confirming or denying appointments to the board, and the power that city officials are exercising now is one alternative option to removing commissioners at the housing authority.
Commissioner Wright is the newest member to the Metropolitan Housing Alliance board. He said Wednesday he respectfully declined the mayor’s request for his resignation.
“I’ve only been here four of five months,” Wright said. “I’m not part of the problem. I’m here to fix it.”
Brian ChilsonLindsey and Anthony also declined the request to resign, said mayoral spokesperson Aaron Sadler. Peterson “informed the mayor that she will not seek reappointment when her term expires on Sept. 30,” Sadler said.
Because three of the commissioners are trying to hold on to their posts, a public hearing will be held in the coming weeks. Sadler said it will likely take place on Sept. 26.
In Lindsey’s letter, he said the truth has not yet come out.
“Some may question the timing of this document but it had been our hope that someone on the Board of Directors would recognize the flaws in the process that is being used and request more time and information,” it stated. “That of course has not been the case. Secondly, there is never a bad time to share the truth and facts.”
Referencing financials, Lindsey’s letter stated “The issue of the Finance Department at [the Metropolitan Housing Alliance] has been a problem through several administrations with no real urgency to correct the issues.”
The letter also took a shot at former executive directors (the commissioners hire and fire the person in this position, and it’s been quite the revolving door in recent years).
“All the executive directors hired by the Board had the skills sets to adapt to the work to be done and lead the organization,” according to the letter. “From PHD’s to Master Degrees, the only thing that was missing was their will to do this very important work.”
The letter ended with this:
Who, What and Why: There seems to be something else at work when it comes to the present and some of the former members of the Board of Commissioners. In every case, we are not found to have violated any rules of HUD. We recognize the same three entities that choose to oppress the members of the Board after being served up unfounded information, lies and threats of the removal of housing services to the Little Rock Community. It looks as if Mayor Scott has seen the show often enough that he is standing clear of it. The Board of Directors has stepped up to the plate to continue the effort. A letter therefore had to be requested from a higher up to give the look of validity to the effort. You have to consider if this is really a HUD issue, why does the Board of the Directors need to take the lead? If the authority is really in the hands totally, then HUD should take the steps. The Commissioners earlier filed a complaint of no confidence in Anthony Landecker and did it the right way without fanfare without the media.
