RECOVERY PLAN: Metropolitan Housing Alliance commissioners consult with agents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mary Hennigan
Bothersome reports keep turning up in the inboxes of Metropolitan Housing Alliance commissioners. The group satisfied Wednesday afternoon with representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address the firm's imperfections.
" The bottom line is that we are truly concerned about the solutions and enhancing the housing conditions in the city," Chairman Lee Lindsey said. "That's what we've constantly been trying to work towards. Where we find ourselves today, it's not something that occurred over night."
On Aug. 9, the federal group delivered a rating of 40 out of 100 to the Metropolitan Housing Alliance. The real estate authority owes HUD a recovery strategy within 30 days of getting the letter; it's been 21.
The letter was signed by Anthony Landecker, HUD's public housing director in Arkansas. He existed at the conference Wednesday and helped stroll the commissioners through the process. Landecker said the recovery plan doesn't have to deal with all issues specifically, but it requires to accept accountability for the risks and provide a structure for enhancements.
Advertisement
Brian Gage, a regional public housing director with HUD, likewise attended the meeting Wednesday. Some pieces of the healing strategy target things that can be repaired within 30 days. Other pieces will take longer, he stated..
Concurrently, some
Little Rock Board of Directors appear to be losing hope in the management. At a Tuesday meeting, Director Lance Hines inquired about the removal of commissioners, however City Attorney Tom Carpenter advised directors to hold off on any major decisions till after the Wednesday meeting.
Advertisement.
Carpenter spoke at the start of the Metropolitan Housing Alliance meeting about a letter to Executive Director Ericka Benedicto from Corey Jennings at FORVIS, an accounting company that does work for the housing group. Otherwise the company will cut ties, the letter said.
Speaking about the FORVIS letter, Carpenter stated it was a "incredible public statement" for the company to ask the Metropolitan Housing Alliance to hire another company. He said he was shocked to see the letter, which it could cause suspect.
" You represent the least able to fight on their own, and that is your calling," Carpenter said of the commissioners.
The group initially considered selecting the second choice to acknowledge that accountants did not have the info required to complete an audit. But Landecker said a disclaimer of opinion is the "worst grade you can receive from an auditor" which future financial ratings for the Metropolitan Housing Alliance would continue to be zero if they chose that course.
Advertisement.
The Metropolitan Housing Alliance hasn't completed an audit considering that 2018.
Ultimately, Commissioner Leta Anthony proposed a strategy to go forward with the first choice to gather the documents and information required to complete an audit. This alternative needs more work from staff however provides the best result. Anthony's movement was approved.
After the meeting, City Director Virgil Miller stated the choice to take on more work seemed like the only option the group had, and it was "incredibly satisfying" to hear they're moving forward.
" It is something that obviously all of us require to keep our eyes on, when our public real estate authority is labeled as 'distressed,'" Miller stated. "We require to stay on top of that.".
As far as eliminating commissioners from the board, Miller said he was delighted no action was taken Tuesday and the group followed the lawyer's advice.
The commissioners did not talk about a different HUD monetary assessment dated Sept. 1 in which nearly $30 million remain in concern. The report explores deals in between the Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Central Arkansas Housing Corporation, a not-for-profit company within the real estate authority.
Comments
Leave a Reply