MONTICELLO, N.Y. – Monticello Housing Authority has a new board of commissioners less than two weeks after the previous board abruptly resigned. After years of non-compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and mismanagement allegations, the new board is looking for a clean slate.

Monticello Housing Authority (MHA)’s new board held an emergency meeting on Sept. 9 in Monticello, with only one board member, Avraham Richard, remaining from the previous board administration.

The new board commissioners appointed by Village of Monticello Mayor Rochelle Massey include Helen Jersey, Tyriek Whidbee, and Angelica Williams. 

“ We all are brand new to this. We are here volunteering our time, and we all want respect, and I think that we’re all here to work to make this a better place,” said Jersey, the newly appointed Board Chair.

The new board comes after four board commissioners – Tanita Owens, Stella Butler, Heather Russell, and Anthony Valle – and executive director Marc Starling abruptly resigned in late August after years of financial mismanagement and alleged landlord-tenant retaliation. Some tenants filed formal complaints with Sullivan County’s Human Rights Commission earlier this year alleging bullying tactics and accounting noncompliance.

READ: Monticello Housing Board, Leadership Abruptly Resign After Years of Alleged Mismanagement

According to a determination letter shared with Radio Catskill, MHA was issued a determination of substantial default from HUD in May 2026.

MHA failed to submit its audited financial information for its 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 fiscal years, according to the letter. As a result, the local authority repeatedly failed its financial indicator scores, receiving zero out of 25 points.

The letter also outlined how HUD attempted to work with MHA on a Recovery Agreement since June 2025 to improve the agency’s financial standing, but MHA’s previous board and executive director never executed the agreement.

“HUD stands behind our determination of substantial default and is working with Village of Monticello to ensure safe, properly managed, and affordable housing for residents,” said a HUD spokesperson in an email to Radio Catskill.

MHA is the largest of two local public housing authorities in Sullivan County, managing about 98 units, including Evergreen Housing in Monticello.

Residents raise concerns as leadership remains in limbo

During last Thursday’s emergency board meeting, residents remained concerned about how the agency will function daily without an active executive director. 

“Will there be somebody in the office to answer any questions?” said resident Iris Frazier.

The board explained that the agency would expand its existing contract with administrative consulting firm Nan McKay and Associates until the agency becomes more stable.

“There [are] no more secrets, no more hiding in the dark, and all those kinds of things. It’s not that, right? This is a transparency process. Again, you have the leadership of HUD here,” said Towanda Macon, Director of the Office of Prevention, Recovery and Transformation at HUD, which had several representatives at the meeting. 

Tenants also questioned the status of tenant elections and why there was no tenant board commissioner. A HUD spokesperson said MHA’s bylaws require two tenants to be elected by their fellow tenants, a process that could take about 90 days.