MVN'-DVN (HOUSING DIVISION) Advisory Board with other fellow agencies. This has been a positive move as the Nation is getting involved with and trying to find solutions for people who do not have homes and locating resources for tribal citizens. The 12.9-Million-dollar low-income housing, Dat-naa-svt Village, was completed. This village has been the only low-income housing developed in Del Norte County in the last ten years and the most significant home construction project anywhere in Del Norte County in the past 15 years. The village project infused 8.1 million dollars into the local economy through local sub-contractors and an increase in Tribal Construction Jobs.
Housing Assistance Offered to Tribal Citizens throughout 2021 In Del Norte County, there are approximately 28,000 residents. Of those 28,000 locals, about 500 of those residents live in Smith River. According to the census, the median household income in Del Norte County is $45,283, with rental costs averaging $878 per month. The TDN Housing Division Staff housing market in Del Norte County and Smith River specifically has been very competitive. Which is why one of the Nation's primary goals was to diversify housing options and create safe, affordable, and sustainable housing for tribal citizens.
In addition to those 21 homes in Smith River, the Nation also broke ground on six more townhouse units overlooking the Dat-naa-svt Village. The townhouse project is still underway, and people in the area will notice the construction over the next few months. The expected completion date for the townhouses is Spring of 2022. Jeri shared that although she is excited to be at total capacity at Dat-naa-svt Village, there are still over 70 people on the housing waiting list. She shared that some of these individuals and families have been Jeri Robertson came to work for the Nation as the housing on the list for several years now. Jeri shared "We want to remind tribal manager in February of 2021 from the Siskiyou County area. Jeri and members that they need to update their housing records every year. We need to know her family had been avid visitors and always longed to reside in the Del about changes in income, household size, housing status, and employment status. InNorte or Curry County one day. "The move happened sooner than expected, cluding changes of addresses, name changes, if you have been married or divorced and but at the right time," said Jeri, who is thankful to be in such a beautiful to update contact information like phone numbers, mailing address, and email adarea and community. dresses". The Nation wants to avidly help and assist its citizens in finding safe and livable neighborhoods and communities free of violence. By Soon not long after her position began, the tribe was awarded a having the most up to date information on file, we get a better idea on large amount of funding for rental assistance. The funds came from the how we can help serve or provide resources to our tribal citizens. US Treasury as COVID relief funds; therefore, there were no geographic requirements for the funding. Any Tolowa citizen household was eliThe Nation will continue to try and create affordable and gible to apply for the rental assistance. With this funding, the Tolowa sustainable housing and inform tribal citizens of housing options and Dee-ni Nation Housing Division served 150 tribal households. Result- other housing-related services. The new year is a good time for tribal ing in over 1.2 million dollars distributed out as direct rental assistance citizens to update their file with the Nation's Housing Division or any to tribal families. Jeri shared excitedly, "Over a million dollars helping people other areas where citizens have applied for assistance. The housing pay their rent; that's huge!" manager and staff continue to provide a list of additional resources available to tribal citizens. Tribal citizens in need should apply for all The Nation was able to implement its rental assistance program resources available to them. They should also apply for other housing pretty quickly compared to other tribes. Recently we also launched a opportunities throughout Del Norte County in the meantime. Mortgage Assistance Program. The first round of funding for that program went out in December to 20 tribal citizen households. The In conclusion the Housing Division wants Tribal Citizens to program will continue to run until the $749,000 in funding is exhaustknow that inspections that were not happening due to the pandemic ed. will start to resume. During this new year, housing inspections will start recurring again for all tenants living in Tribal housing. Other Programs offered are low income housing tribal rentals, emergency assistance, housing rehabilitation, elder minor rehabilitation, For further information, you may contact the Housing Division and the down payment assistance program. In 2021, the Nation and at 707-487-9255 ext. 1605 or email at jeri.robertson@tolowa.com. The housing crew were able to complete one major home rehabilitation and housing application and other forms are also available for download on four elder minor rehabilitations. The Nation also helped two families the Nations website at www.tolowa-nsn.gov. who needed isolation housing due to needing to quarantine or because *Source:www.census/gov/quickfacts/delnortecountycalifornia of positive exposures. Jeri is also sitting on the local Continuum of Care 5
