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Copyright © 2003 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - A new senior housing project is one step closer to reality with the groundbreaking ceremony conducted by the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (HACN). The elderly housing project, known as Wisdom Keepers, is being constructed at 1286 West 4th Street, in Tahlequah.
Wisdom Keepers is already becoming a reality as shown in the background, as local dignitaries officially break ground (L-R) Mary James, HACN Director of Administration; John Ketcher, Council member, District 1; Gary Tillotson, SPONAP, HUD; William Smoke, HACN Commissioner; Ron Froman, HACN Planner; Wayne Dunham, Chairman, HACN Commissioner; Chad Smith, Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation; John Marshall, OHFA; Amy Berg, Field Representative, Congressman Brad Carson; Audra Smoke-Conner, Council member-elect, District 1;
Bill John Baker, Council member-elect, District 1; Jim Wilson, State Representative, District 4; Chris Smith, President BancFirst, Jenks Branch; and Jerry Cook, Mayor of Tahlequah.
"The Cherokee Affordable Housing, Inc. was established to apply for alternative financing to construct a 40 unit apartment complex for both the non-Indian and Native American elderly", said Ron Froman, HACN Planner.
In November of 2002, the HACN received official notification from the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency of an allocation of tax credits for the Wisdom Keepers Limited Partnership, an entity formed by the HACN.
"These tax credits will allow us to bring $2,865,000 of private monies into this $3.4 million development", said David Southerland, HACN Executive Director.
"The Cherokee Nation, Housing Authority, and the City of Tahlequah polls high in priority for our elders and our youth", said, Jerry Cook, Mayor of Tahlequah. "I am anxious for this (Elderly Housing Project) to be complete. I honor and respect the Housing Authority for their efforts."
"I commend the Housing Authority, Commissioners and Council Elects, when we do work together we can make things happen", said Principal Chief Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation, in the opening remarks.
One of the greatest honors is to serve our elders", said Smith.
"The project will be a construction consisting of a 40 unit elderly apartment complex, projected for completion in January 2004", said David Southerland, HACN executive director.
"The greatest thing we can do is think of our young and elderly", said John Ketcher, a Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member from Tahlequah. "Think of those people as we do develop programs and services and be an example for other governments, if only they would care for their own people rather than be at war with other Nations."
"Tax credits are highly competitive, we can only fund 8-10 per application cycle", said John Marshall, Housing Development Team Leader for Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA).
"The Housing Authority, staff, and board of commissioners are to be commended for their efforts; the application phase is a tremendous amount of work", said Gary Tillotson, Acting Director Grants Management, Southern Plains Office for Native American Programs, HUD.
"We receive quality applications with quality projects from the Housing Authority and Cherokee Nation", Marshall said. We are more than happy to partner with the Housing Authority."
"The Housing Authority and Cherokee Nation are leading the nation with their third Low Income Housing Tax Credit Project, which are very competitive and the only Indian Housing Authority in the state with three", Tillotson said. "They are also leading the Nation in their Title VI program with the largest loan guarantee of $50 million."
"This is the best Housing Authority in the United States and it doesn’t surprise me for them to take this next step in providing for the quality of life", said Jim Wilson, State Representative, District 4. "I look forward to further housing projects."
To qualify to live in the new facility, applicants must meet certain income guidelines and be 62 or older. These units are open to the public.
All units will be handicapped equipped. Meal services will be provided through the Cherokee Nation Elderly Nutrition, transportation will be provided by the Housing Authority and health screenings provided by the Cherokee Nation Home Health.
"I am glad to be a part of the team with the right people doing the right thing for the right reasons, providing homes for the elderly", said Chris Smith, President of BancFirst Jenks Branch. "It takes togetherness, integrity and pride, I am very appreciate to be a small part of the project."
"This is good for the Nation, good for Cherokee County and good for Tahlequah", said Bill John Baker, Council member-elect District 1. "Anything we can do for our elders is wonderful and I promote services to our people."
"I am excited about this project for our elderly and any projects for our youth and all of those in between", said Audra Smoke-Conner, Council member-elect District 1. "I am eager to begin my position on the council and want to work towards securing funding to continue programs for our elderly and disabled."
"I am glad the Housing Authority is actively seeking alternative opportunities for housing, especially for the elderly at no additional costs to the Housing Authority", said Wayne Dunham, chairman, HACN Board of Commissioners.
According to Southerland, the rents can be subsidized by the Housing Authority and rents for non-Indians can be subsidized by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.
"This is a great example of a private/public partnership for housing", Southerland said.
For more information or to apply contact Sooner Management, phone: 918-485-8885 and ask for Bonnie Cox or Mary Nanson; or contact the HACN Area 1 Office, phone: 918-456-8374.
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Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671 |
51st Cherokee National Holiday Cherokee Communities "The Strength Of Our Nation" Held Annually on Labor Day Weekend |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |