Friends,

Here in Arkansas's capital city, we are actively seeking solutions to one of our most pressing needs: quality, affordable housing for our residents. The lack of available affordable housing is a national problem, and our Results For The Rock penny investment plan calls for $10 million to address the issue head-on.

Our Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs has collaboratively worked to create more than 150 affordable housing units. Our new goal is to add at least 200 more units in the next few years. The Results For The Rock investment will help us to reach that goal. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Biden-Harris administration, local lenders, real estate agents and others for the assistance in making affordable housing a priority.

No resident should be required to make the difficult and impossible choice of food or transportation instead of shelter, yet housing costs keep rising. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is nowhere in the United States where a person working full-time for minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom house.

The lack of affordable housing and homelessness are inextricably linked, which is why the Results For The Rock proposal also includes $20 million to support our efforts to reduce homelessness.

Research shows that affordable housing is a fundamental way to reduce child poverty, improve educational outcomes and grow the economy. It is estimated that a lack of affordable housing costs the United States almost $2 trillion a year in lower wages and productivity. So, when we address the underlying issue, we create greater earning potential for our residents and enhance our local tax base.

Through our Results For The Rock investment, we can break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of life for our current residents and new families to the community. 

If voters approve the proposal, we will use the $10 million for:

• Land acquisition for new affordable housing units
• Construction costs 
• Rehabilitation of existing properties
• Infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks in new development areas
• Support services (first-time homebuyer counseling and courses)

• Support for our Micro Home Village, including management, maintenance and construction of Phase 2, which would include a community center at the site
• Additional homelessness engagement specialists in the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs' Homeless Services Division
• Establishment of an overnight, emergency shelter 
• Development of a coordinated-entry system with a data-driven approach to ensure housing and support services based on need
• Prevention strategies such as eviction-prevention programs and mediation

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. At that time, the Board will set the agenda for its next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages.
• Today (Monday, Oct. 7) at 5:30 p.m., the Public Works Department is hosting an open-forum public meeting to discuss planned infrastructure improvement projects. The meeting is at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. Items to be discussed include sidewalks on 11th Street (Ward 1), Washington Street (Ward 3), and Greenway Drive (Ward 7); 24th Street reconstruction (Ward 1); and Rock Street crosswalks (Ward 1).
• The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission's monthly meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 9, at noon at The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. The Parks and Recreation Commission is an advisory board that makes recommendations and provides input related to Little Rock's parks, community centers and recreation programs.
• On Thursday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m., the Little Rock Planning Commission meets at the City Hall Board Room. The Planning Commission hears rezoning requests and considers other planning issues.
• The Little Rock Police Department hosts the first of three quarterly meetings set for Thursdays over the next few weeks to give residents an opportunity to learn more about recent crime statistics and trends and to talk to LRPD leadership. The quarterly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 10, is at the 12th Street Station. 3917 W. 12th St. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
• The Community Development Division of the City's Housing and Neighborhood Programs Department has scheduled a public meeting for Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center. At this meeting, the division will take input from residents about community needs and priorities as part of the City's plans for seeking and allocating federal grant dollars.