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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation has designated $350,000 to be used for rehabilitating homes for Cherokee families. To rehabilitate the homes, the Cherokee Nation will provide materials, inspection oversight, construction instruction, and technical work such as electrical and plumbing and related community organization assistance. Communities will be required to provide and organize labor, make decisions, select beneficiaries, gather paperwork and make contributions as necessary to make the project successful.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Cherokee citizens to better themselves and their community," said Don Greenfeather, community development director for the Cherokee Nation.

To qualify for a rehabilitation grant, home owners must apply as a group of four or more and be committed to providing labor for rehabilitation on all of needy homes. The property to be improved must be owned by the beneficiary and can not have a lien against it. Improvements must be structural, electrical, plumbing, heat and air, handicap accessibility, lead-based paint hazard elimination and correcting conditions which may lead to structural failure or create safety issues. Cosmetic repairs such as carpentry and cabinets will not be funded. Mobile homes can also qualify if they are in need of repairs. Applicants should submit a list of materials that will be needed for the improvement and a description of the work to be done, not to exceed a total cost of $10,000 per house.

The Cherokee Nation will award rehabilitation funds based on the amount of contribution by the community, evidence that the community is able to work together to accomplish a common goal, demonstration of need, feasibility of project and the impact of improvements on the community. Priority will be given to proposals submitted by Cherokee Nation citizens.

Beneficiaries from each community are to attend a mandatory meeting conducted by the Cherokee Nation. Meetings will be scheduled for individual communities (unless communities elect to combine meetings) in a location determined by the community at a time agreed upon with Cherokee Nation Community Services. Community groups must provide a list of names of the families who wish to participate at the time requesting the meeting. These meetings must take place before March 25.

For more information call Don Greenfeather, phone: 918-431-4177 or 918-822-2909 or send e-mail to dgreenfeather@cherokee.org.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

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 Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

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 Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org