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JAY, OK - The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (HACN) is proud to announce the groundbreaking for the Jay Senior Housing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 7. The project will be constructed north of the Sam Hider Community Clinic, located at 1015 Washburn, in Jay.

"The project will be a construction consisting of a 40 unit elderly apartment complex", said Ron Qualls, HACN executive director.

In May of 2001, the HACN received official notification from the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency of an allocation of tax credits for the Jay Senior Housing Limited Partnership, an entity formed by the HACN.

"These tax credits will allow us to bring $1,875,000 of private monies into this $3 million development", Qualls said.

According to Qualls, this is the first time in Oklahoma that an Indian Tribe has accessed this program through the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.

The HACN Board of Commissioners took action in a recent Special Board meeting finalizing the necessary steps to proceed with the Jay Senior Housing Project.

"This project is just another avenue of the Housing Authority providing services for the elderly. There is no limit of what we can achieve when we work together", said Billy Heath, a commissioner on the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation board.

Eligibility requirements include applicant must qualify within income limits and be 62 or older. These units are open to the public. Rents will range from $275 -$300 per unit. All units will be handicapped equipped.

Transportation and meal services will be provided through the Delaware and Ottawa County Services and health screenings provided by the Cherokee Nation Sam Hider Community Clinic.

According to Qualls, the rents can be subsidized through Section 8 and the rents for all elderly Cherokees will be assisted through the HACN’s Rental Assistance Program.

"The completion date is scheduled for July 2002. Therefore, interested applicants are encouraged to start applying for pre-qualification and to be placed on a waiting list", said Qualls.

For more information or to apply contact the Area 4 Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation office, at 109 13th Street, located in Jay or by calling 253-8315.