Little Rock City officials mark NCDA Week with ribbon-cutting for new affordable homes

Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and city and development partners on Wednesday dedicated two newly completed affordable rental homes in Little Rock City and used the event—held during the 40th National Community Development Week—to underscore broader housing investments.

City housing officials and developers said the projects were built with city support and federal grant funds. Kevin Howard, director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs, said the city has developed "close to 700" new homes across multiple wards, provided "close to a half of a million dollars" for down-payment assistance, and is leveraging Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program funds to support infrastructure and new housing projects. "We are now 70% complete, and we hope to open up later on this fall," Howard said of a micro-home village supported with those funds.

The dedication featured remarks from Mayor Frank Scott Jr., who praised the Housing and Neighborhood Programs division for concentrating development "south of I-630 and east of I-30" and for working with partners to expand affordable options across the city. "We're so grateful that we are addressing our housing challenges," the mayor said, thanking staff and community partners for their work.

At-large City Director Antoine Phillips framed the ribbon cutting as more than housing supply. "When rent is high, it's not only affordability issue, it's a stability issue for families," Phillips said, linking the new homes to family stability and urging continued focus on affordable, stable rental options.

Barrett Allen, executive director of the University District Development Corporation, said the two units being dedicated are two-bedroom, one-bath duplexes meant for smaller families. Allen said the city provided $550,000 to support five duplexes and six single-family homes in the broader project area and said the UDC is developing roughly "26 or 30" affordable rental units in the neighborhood as it continues work. "From the UDC standpoint, we want to say how grateful we are for our partnership with the city of Little Rock Housing and Neighborhoods Program," Allen said.

Allen acknowledged Housing Development Manager Quincy Edwards and board members from partnering organizations, and he singled out Doris Smith, president of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, for neighborhood leadership and support.

Event host Tracy Sana closed by thanking federal and local partners—naming HUD, Water Reclamation Authority, Central Arkansas Water, lender partners, NACA, Arkansas Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, CHAP commissioners and Land Bank commissioners—and invited HUD representatives and others to join city leaders for a photo and the ribbon cutting. After photos, organizers invited attendees to tour both properties.

No formal policy votes or legislative actions occurred at the event; city speakers emphasized program activity, partnerships and upcoming openings. The city identified CDBG and HOME funds and federal HUD support as key financing sources for these and other neighborhood projects. The micro-home village and other units referenced by city officials are expected to open later this fall, according to remarks at the dedication.