Thursday, January 9, 2025 – Combating a Native American housing crisis

Native America Calling

Among California’s efforts to fight homelessness is an allocation of more than $91 million to boost tribal housing efforts. The Cherokee Nation is putting $40 million toward affordable housing this year. That’s on top of a $120 million housing investment two years ago. HUD is disbursing almost $73 million toward housing programs for 38 tribes. The aim is to offset the persistent disparity in Native American homelessness. We’ll hear about what that money is being spent on and what hurdles remain.

GUESTS

Jamie Navenma (Hopi), executive director for Laguna Housing Development and Management Enterprise, president of the Southwest Tribal Housing Alliance, and a representative of region 8 for the National American Indian Housing Council

Evelyn Immonen (Turtle Mt. Band of Chippewa Indians), senior program officer for the Tribal Nations and Rural Communities team at Enterprise Community Partners. Enterprise administers a HUD Section 4 Capacity Building Grant.

Jody Perez (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), executive director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority

Break 1 Music: We’re Going Home (song) Clark Tenakhongva (artist) Hear My Song, Hear My Prayer – Songs from the Hopi Mesas (album)

Break 2 Music: Buckskin Boy (song) Hataałii (artist) Waiting for a Sign (album)