Department of Housing and Community Development

Department of Housing & Community Development

Despite working amidst a global pandemic and with only one third of our team (4 persons) for most of the year, the Housing & Community Development Department provided the following services to Pokagon Citizens:

• 89 Families were provided with Tribal Housing at Edawat Villages, Watervliet and Paw Paw • 11 Families leased Pokagon Band lots at Dowagiac Edawat for personal owned homes • 64 Citizens leased space at Chinodin Self-Storage • 1,700+ Monthly Statements and Rental Payments processed • 14 Citizen Families (55% increase from last year) purchased a home using Down Payment Assistance • 43 Households received Monthly Rental Assistance • 21 Households (60% increase from last year) utilized Indian Health Service Well and Septic Program

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ONES WHO WORK WITH HOUSES

Maple Sugar Trough, Artist Unknown

Fifth Wheel RVs provided temporary lodging for Citizens.

New Temporary Lodging Facility, Byéwgëmëk – a place you come to stay at located on M-51 in Dowagiac, Michigan.

Community Development Projects

• Completed Tribal Transportation Plan • Drafted Long Range Transportation Plan • Assisted with Preprepartion of Land Plan • Completed Crystal Springs Property Assessment • Demolished, Old Court and Hartford House in front of casino

COVID-19 Response

• Administered CARES Act Programs, Rental Assistance,

Mortgage Assistance, Cleaning Supply Reimbursement • Renovating M-51 building for Temporary Lodging Facility • Acquired 8 Rental Units to provide alternative housing • Had 20 Fifth Wheel RV’s available for Quarantine/Shelter needs • Had Local Hotel Rooms for Quarantine Shelter needs • Temporary Lodging Reimbursement program launched