CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Housing Authority this week took up new Executive Director Wanda Allen’s suggestion, as part of her 90-day action plan, for a full assessment of CHA.

Allen said the assessment will look at everything including operations, financials and assets. “That’s not just for me changing over as the executive director, that’s for you too,” Allen told the CHA Board of Commissioners Wednesday.

“We can establish a baseline. … For the first time in a long time, we’re getting a big lump sum, because we’re getting three years’ worth of capital funds. I would like to see those capital funds used in the most effective way possible. There are companies out there that can help us decide that, instead of us just deciding it on our own.”

| PREVIOUSLY: Clarksville Housing Authority digs into concerns about development corporation, revoked IRS status

Allen said the companies that run these full assessments have employees with previous experience working at HUD or have worked in public housing their entire careers.

A full assessment is Allen’s first priority as part of her 90-day action plan. She said the assessment will take some time, a little bit longer than 90 days, but she guaranteed when the assessors come back, they’ll have plenty to share with CHA.

“We will have a way to move forward,” she said. “I feel like, for a while now, we haven’t had a way to move forward that’s collaborative with the (CHA) board, myself, and the (Housing) Development Corporation. So, hopefully, this will get us all on the same sheet of music, and we can agree on the proper plan for Clarksville Housing Authority.”

The CHA board unanimously approved the 90-day plan, clearing way for the full assessment to be conducted.

Allen said the assessors will provide what’s known as an executive director’s diagnostic report, which will be reviewed with the CHA Board as well as Allen. “I do recommend holding off on any financial moves until that (assessment) takes place, and they can give us a clear direction of where we can take this $5 million, because to me, we have opportunities right now and we shouldn’t waste it.”

Reminders of CHA compliance rules

While it wasn’t discussed at length, also presented on the CHA board agenda was a set of reminders pertaining to compliance.

  • Memorandum for Record: Governance and Conflict of Interest Review – PHA Affiliate / Instrumentality Contracting with Board Member.
  • Memorandum for Record 2: Potential Conflict of Interest – Contractual Payment to Board Member.
  • Memorandum for Record 3: Review of Compensation Payments associated with CHA Development Corporation.

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