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News from Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2004 CNO
HACN Board Chairman, Wayne Dunham, dedicates Wisdom Keepers, Tahlequah Senior Housing Development with the official ribbon cutting ceremony as Jill Weeks, Ambassador Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce; Clyde Enlow, Ambassador Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce; Ann Wilkins, Vice-President Tourism, Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce; Debbie Bruseveen, President, Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce; Raven Bruner, Miss Cherokee 2003-04; Amy Berg, Field Representative for Congressman Brad Carson; David Southerland, HACN Executive Director Wayne Dunham, Chairman HACN Board of Commissioners; Ron Smith, Resco Enterprises, Inc.; Gary Moore, BancFirst Jenks; Noelle St.Clair, Community Program Specialist, FHLBank, TOPEKA; Richard Lillard, Board Chairman, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA); John Marshall, Housing Development Team Leader, OHFA; Jack Ballew, Tahlequah City Councilor Ward 2; Cindy Farmer; Ambassador Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce; and David Williams, Ambassador Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce proudly look on. (Not pictured Principal Chief Chad Smith and District 1 Tribal Council Members Bill John Baker and Audra Smoke-Conner due to attending a Council Committee Meeting).
TAHLEQUAH, OK -The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (HACN) conducted a dedication ceremony for Wisdom Keepers, a Tahlequah Senior Housing Tax Credit Development, at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 27, 2004. The public senior housing development, a 40 congregate unit complex, is located at 1286 West Fourth Street, in Tahlequah.
The Tahlequah Senior Housing is an equal opportunity housing development, therefore, Indian preference does not apply.
Miss Cherokee 2003-04, Raven Bruner began the program by giving the opening prayer. Jack Ballew, City Councilor Ward 2, City of Tahlequah, gave the official welcome. HACN Customer Service/Communications Manager, Lisa Trice-Turtle, provided the introductions of the dignitaries. Principal Chief Chad Smith gave the opening remarks. District 1 Tribal Council Members Bill John Baker and Audra Smoke-Conner also gave remarks.
Also speaking were John Marshall, Housing Development Team Leader for the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA); Richard Lillard, Board Chairman for OHFA; Amy Berg, Field Representative for Congressman Brad Carson; Noelle St. Clair, Community Program Specialist, FHLBank TOPEKA. Closing remarks were given by Wayne Dunham, Board Chairman for the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation.
"This is a great thing, I am just overwhelmed," said Jack Ballew, Tahlequah City Councilor Ward 2, "Tahlequah is committed to providing housing opportunities and welcomes new residents."
"This new development was very innovative and a little bit daring, but anything for our elderly is worth the risk," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief Cherokee Nation.
"One of the greatest honors is to serve our elders, I find the name Wisdom Keepers very fitting for this project," said Smith. "Tax credits are highly competitive, we can only fund 8-10 per application cycle, and we receive quality applications with quality projects from the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation," said John Marshall, Housing Development Team Leader, OHFA.
"These tax credits from Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency allowed us to bring $2,865,000 of private monies into this $3.4 million development," said David Southerland, HACN Executive Director.
"I am proud to provide services for our elderly and to see this wonderful facility," said Bill John Baker, Council member District 1.
According to Wayne Sims, Administrator, HUD Southern Plains Office of Native American Programs, the Cherokee Nation Housing Authority has been a visionary leader in the area of Indian housing. They have been forging new ground for the Tribes in Oklahoma with the utilization of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The Cherokee Tribe has done an excellent job of leveraging funds provided by HUD through the Indian Housing Block Grant.
"I am very proud to see a facility for our elders here in Tahlequah," said Audra Smoke-Conner, Council member District 1.
"This project took creativity, knowledge and experience by multiple leveraging to build this development that otherwise could not have been done, it is imperative that everyone work together to make these projects work," said Richard Lillard, OHFA Board Chairman.
"These projects keep local dollars in the community for economic means to drive the community," said Noelle St. Clair, Community Program Specialist, FHLBank TOPEKA.
"I am honored to be here to see this beautiful building and know it will be a great asset to the community of Tahlequah," said Amy Berg, Field Representative for Congressman Brad Carson.
"This is a celebration, it is a celebration of partnership, celebration of community and a celebration of our elders," said Wayne Dunham, HACN Board Chairman, "Cherokees have always taken pride in caring for and respecting our elders."
"The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation through successful partnerships with the City of Tahlequah, Cherokee Affordable Housing, Inc., and Cherokee Nation allowed us to apply for the tax credits for this elderly development," said Southerland, "Without any one of these partners, Wisdom Keepers would not have happened. We appreciate the team work from all partners allowing additional housing opportunities for the elderly."
Eligibility requirements include applicant must qualify within income limits and be 62 or older. These units are open to the public. All units are handicapped equipped.
"The rents for all eligible elderly Cherokees will be assisted through the HACN's Rental Assistance Program," said Southerland.
For more information or to apply contact the Wisdom Keepers, Tahlequah Senior Housing, ask for Jane Anderson, manager, at 1286 West Fourth Street, located in Tahlequah or by calling, phone: 918-453-9900.
| Related contact information: |
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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 |