News continues to flow out of the doors of the Metropolitan Housing Alliance. Ericka Benedicto, who has served as the executive director of the Little Rock housing authority since September 2021, announced her resignation on Friday.
Benedicto first took on the role in an interim capacity and moved into the position permanently in January 2022. The resignation announcement stated Benedicto was choosing not to seek an extension or renewal so she “can pursue other professional opportunities and spend more time with her family.”
“This was a difficult decision as the agency has faced tremendous challenges since I came on board,” Benedicto said. “But we have turned a corner, and the agency is on the right road to recovery. Because of the progress that has been made over the last few months, I am confident that the next Executive Director will continue the work of rebuilding the agency and. cultivating community partnerships.”
Lamont Wimbley, the finance director for the Little Rock housing authority, will serve as the interim executive director. Assistance from the local office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will also be available if needed.
Brian ChilsonBenedicto’s resignation was a surprise, said Kerry Wright, chair of the housing authority’s commission. He wished her well in what’s next and said she served the “citizens of Little Rock and the staff of the [Metropolitan Housing Alliance] perfectly.”
Wright said the commissioners had no involvement with Benedicto’s resignation. The executive director position is the only role at the housing authority that the commission can hire or fire. The search for the next top executive will be nationwide, Wright said.
