Friends,

With our holistic violence reduction strategy and the commitment of our law enforcement officers, prevention-focused teams, and community stakeholders, we continue the work to make the City of Little Rock safer and stronger.

Little Rock Police Department statistics show that crime rates have fallen significantly over the last few years. We sustained and improved upon that progress through the first quarter of 2026. At the end of March, violent crime was down 10 percent compared to last year, and it had declined 20 percent over the past five years. Total crime is down 7 percent year-to-year and 22 percent over a five year period.

There were four homicides in the Little Rock the first three months of year. That compares to 19 a year ago — a decrease of 79 percent, and a 72 percent decline over five years. Let us be clear: One homicide is one too many, but these numbers demonstrate our multifaceted approach to crime reduction is effective and transformative.

The statistics also show we have more work to do. We are effectively changing the perception of crime in our City, and we are also planning ahead to support our LRPD and prevention, intervention, and treatment teams during the busy summer months.

These positive outcomes take all of us working together. Let us keep doing that work to eliminate crime as we unite, grow, and transform Arkansas’s capital city.

I appreciate you!

City Marks National Community Development Week Through Progress

During this administration, we have made a commitment to strengthen our economy and uplift our neighborhoods through our community development efforts.

This week is National Community Development Week, and our Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs team is highlighting the importance of safe, stable and affordable communities. Several events are scheduled this week, including a workshop for first-time homebuyers and an informational session for real estate agents and lenders about Little Rock’s down payment assistance program.

On Wednesday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m., we will join other city officials and community leaders in the 4200 block of West 26th Street as we showcase new rental properties. This rental housing is another affordable, high-quality option and an important part of our mission to expand housing opportunities and promote economic mobility for all.

Our community development efforts focus primarily on Wards 1, 2, 6 and 7. These are areas mostly south of Interstate 630 and east of Interstate 30 with affordable housing, infrastructure, economic development and quality of life needs.

We are making a significant impact in those areas as we deliver quality, affordable housing, waive permit fees as an economic driver, and focus on improving amenities like our parks. Last month, we launched our Mobile Market, and construction is progressing rapidly at the site of our Micro Home Village to meet the transitional housing needs of our unsheltered residents.

Through the Board of Directors’ Targeted Community Development policy led by this administration, multiple projects are underway and are directed toward needs such as streets, sidewalks, drainage and infrastructure. The Board allocated an additional $4.5 million above and beyond what the City already spends on community development projects in the TCD areas. Those Board-allocated projects are in progress in Wards 1 and 6, with money set aside for improvements in Wards 2 and 7, as well.

As we observe National Community Development Week, we share our appreciation to everyone playing a role in transforming our neighborhoods through this important work. We look forward to seeing residents and stakeholders at our upcoming events and as we mark milestones in our TCD areas that benefit all our residents.

We highlighted new construction in Ward 6 for National  Community Development Week in April 2025 (photo above). This year, for the 40th anniversary of  the week, we are showcasing rental property in the 4200 block of 26th Street on  Wednesday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m.

Applications Open for

Disaster Recovery Assistance

Last week, we observed the third anniversary of the high-end EF-3 tornado that impacted thousands of homes and businesses in our City. As we continue recovery and rebuilding, the City is supporting homeowners with additional funding to support home rehabilitation, repair and reconstruction.

The City of Little Rock is using $20.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery funds to support residents and businesses that suffered losses as a result of the storm. As of today, applications are open for housing recovery assistance for homeowners.

We have allocated $12 million of the grant for this housing recovery program, which will help low- to moderate-income households with rehab, repair and reconstruction and with reimbursements for disaster-related repairs.

Within the housing recovery program there is also money for new single- and multi-family construction, and down payment and closing costs assistance for those who qualify.

In the coming weeks, we will provide additional details on other facets of the program that include support for public infrastructure, services such as counseling and legal aid, small business grants and loans and future disaster mitigation.

Our Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs team is leading this initiative to further support those families and businesses impacted by the devastating storm.

Unsheltered Residents Fair

Offers Connections to Community

On Friday, April 10, the City of Little Rock will host an outreach event to the unsheltered residents of our community.

The Unsheltered Residents Fair is Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the River Market Pavilion, 400 President Clinton Ave.

The City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs is asking nonprofits, service organizations and other community groups to participate in the fair.

Organizations are asked to be in attendance to provide support, resources, and knowledge as members of our unsheltered community receive the wraparound services they need.

Attendees will be able to eat a meal, get health screenings, learn about permanent housing options, and get help with finding a job.

We appreciate our community partners for helping us support our unsheltered population. For more information about Friday’s fair, call (501) 379-1512.

Here’s a quick look at what’s going on this week in the City of Little Rock:

Tuesday, April 7: The Little Rock Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are open to the public, and all meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock’s Facebook and YouTube pages. View the agenda here.

Wednesday, April 8: The Little Rock Parks and Recreation Commission meets at 11:45 a.m. in the Board Room at City Hall.

Thursday, April 9: The monthly meeting of the Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission is at 11 a.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room at City Hall.