The Metropolitan Housing Alliance's board of commissioners has approved an operating budget for 2025 as executives at the housing authority attempt to claw their way out of a financial mess.

2025 will be the first full year with Nadine Jarmon back at the helm of the Little Rock housing authority as executive director. Jarmon previously led the agency from 2020 until 2021, when she was fired by the commissioners serving at the time.

Earlier this year, a new group of commissioners voted to hire Jarmon to replace former executive director Ericka Benedicto.

The housing authority has managed to reduce monthly payroll expenses from $200,000 to $160,000, Jarmon said as commissioners discussed the proposed budget during a board meeting Friday.