HUD secretary promises solutions for Little Rock problems

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., received a commitment from the head of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to resolve issues within the Little Rock housing authority amid ongoing con- cerns surrounding the body’s finances and management.

Secretary Marcia Fudge fielded questions from Hill regarding the housing agency during a House of Representatives Financial Services Committee hearing Thursday. The hearing occurred as FBI agents entered the Little Rock office of the Central Arkansas Housing Corporation, a not-for-profit body affiliated with the Little Rock housing authority.

The Little Rock housing authority, which conducts business as the Metropolitan Housing Alliance, is the largest housing agency in Arkansas and provides housing services to approximately 8,000 residents.

“May I ask you for your personal commitment that HUD will take responsibility for this catastrophic situation and commit to resolving these long-standing issues at the Little Rock public housing authority?” Hill asked Fudge.

“Without question,” she answered.

HUD issued a review of the local housing agency in August, giving it a “troubled” performance rating. Officials cited issues in meeting requirements related to submitting financial information.

In

HUD’s Quality Assurance Division within its Office of Housing Voucher Programs detailed nearly $30 million in questionable and potentially disallowed costs, including around $20.5 million in housing assistance payments marked due to late re-examinations and housing inspections.