Apache Dawn Provides Homes and Jobs in Indian Country

Like many Native American tribes, the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona faces a challenging economic environment. According to the White Mountain Apache Housing Authority's report to the National Native American Indian Housing Council Legislative Conference in March 2003, the tribe suffers from approximately 60 percent unemployment. In addition, a dearth of affordable housing on the White Mountain Reservation bars many members of the tribe from finding a home. The Housing Authority's waiting list totals more than 1,400 families in need of housing.

"Many of these families are living with family members in overcrowded, very substandard conditions," said Dorothy Parker, Home Ownership Counselor and Occupancy Supervisor for the Housing Authority.

To address the housing crisis, the Housing Authority has undertaken an ambitious project, known as "Apache Dawn," to develop 300 single family homes on the reservation. By contracting with tribally-owned businesses to construct Apache Dawn homes, the Housing Authority is stimulating the local economy and creating jobs for tribal members.

Since the Tribe approved plans for Apache Dawn in April 1999, 228 units have been completed and now house families. The remaining 72 units are scheduled to be finished in May 2004.

To promote homeownership, the homes are made available to tribal members on a lease purchase basis. After the first 10 years, families have the option to purchase the home and are provided that opportunity each year thereafter. Alternatively, families may choose to continue monthly payments for 30 years in order to purchase their home.

By contracting with tribal businesses for the construction of much of Apache Dawn, the Housing Authority has lowered its per-unit costs by 30 percent and provided 150 new jobs for tribal members. In addition, the Housing Authority obtains nearly 85 percent of its lumber from the Fort Apache Timber Company and all necessary cement and gravel from the Tribal Public Works Division. Since the Housing Authority adopted its "buy local" policy, both tribal enterprises achieved profitability.

To fund the project, the Housing Authority assembled a unique partnership that includes the federal government, tribal government, and private lenders. Funding for the project has come from a blend of tribally issued tax-exempt bonds (the first by a Native American housing authority), HUD Section 184 guaranteed loans, and Indian Housing Block Grant funds.

"The White Mountain Apache Housing Authority is paving the way as a model for other tribes in fully obligating and leveraging its Indian Housing Block Grant funds," said Aneva Yazzie, a management consultant working closely with the Housing Authority. "We've been traveling to conferences around the country to let other tribes know about what we've done."

While the project has contributed significantly to the reservation's affordable housing stock, many tribal families continue to need housing. To meet the demand, the Housing Authority is planning a development project consisting of 100 single-family homes, as well as scattered site development throughout the reservation. And tribally-owned housing contractors, having benefited from their involvement in Apache Dawn, will be well equipped to do their part.

"We are hopeful about life after Apache Dawn," says Yazzie.

For more information contact, the White Mountain Apache Housing Authority, at (928) 338-4831.