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News from the Housing Authority
Copyright © 2005 HACN
CATOOSA, OK - The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation (HACN) conducted an official dedication on June 21, for the $2.9 million housing development, Emmet Starr Gardens Estates, a 29-unit single family housing development located in Catoosa. The event is in conjunction with the Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Month of Homeownership,
Terri Perraca, homeowner, visits with Cara Cowan, Cherokee Nation Council member for Rogers County, about her home at Emmet Starr Gardens Estates. 
The dedication was opened with an invocation by Pastor Albert Wofford, Jr. of Little Rock Baptist Church.
"I want to welcome everyone to Catoosa, it’s hard to believe this area used to be a hay field and now see what is here; it’s really nice," said Curtis Conley, Mayor of Catoosa, "We have a good working relationship and hope it continues."
"You know it makes me feel good to see Cherokees in good homes," said Deputy Principal Chief Joe Grayson, Cherokee Nation, in the opening remarks, "I can remember years ago when we didn’t have anything and look how far we have come as a result of successful partnerships."
"I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work," said Grayson.
David Southerland, HACN executive director, gave introductions and remarks.
"Thank you all for coming today, the biggest part of these homes were funded through the Title VI Mortgage Program, we ended up having around 350 [Title VI Mortgages] throughout the Cherokee Nation," said David Southerland, HACN Executive Director, "The Title VI Program was definitely a team effort with all parties involved to make this project a reality."
According to Southerland, the HACN through Cherokee Nation, HUD, Fannie Mae, and
Chase/Bank One was able to secure funding through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self- Determination Act (NAHASDA) Title VI Loan Guarantee Program for residents to have the opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership.
"The Title VI program was a great deal, I am paying $100 less for a mortgage than I was paying on rent for a two bedroom apartment," said Terri Peracca, resident of Starr Gardens Estates.
"The Cherokee Nation and the Housing Authority were extremely pleased to receive the Title VI $50 Million Loan Guarantee provided by HUD two years ago," said Grayson, "The proceeds provided an opportunity for affordable housing to low-income Cherokee citizens throughout our 14-county jurisdictional boundaries in northeast Oklahoma, as evidenced here today in Catoosa."
"The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation is to be commended for their foresight and dedication in facilitating the creative financing of Title VI, which is additional funding to NAHASDA in providing housing to Cherokee families," said Grayson.
According to Southerland, the $50 Million Loan Guarantee Program was executed with the lender, then Bank One and now known as Chase Bank and purchased by Fannie Mae, in the secondary market. This allowed the Cherokee Nation to receive a lower interest rate and the savings incurred was passed on to our homeowners.
"This is a great location, [we’re] glad to be a small part of the program," said Wayne Sims, a dministrator of the Southern Plains Office for Native American Program (SPONAP), HUD.
"On behalf of SPONAP, I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved for this development," Sims said. This is a great program, a great development and you have great results here. Many, many families will benefit from this housing development for years to come."
"I commend the HACN, staff and board for doing good things for your tribal members and look forward to more good things in the near future."
Sims, on behalf of SPONAP, presented a Certificate of Success to the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation accepted by David Southerland, Gary Ketcher, HACN area 2 director, and Janet Gann, HACN area 2 construction manager, recognizing the outstanding success and achievement for Emmet Starr Gardens Estates.
"As everyone has said, we used to be Bank One and now we are Chase Bank. I can remember when Bank One at that time embarked on this Title VI Program and we were truly blazing a trail, it was the largest [Title VI Loan] at that time and I believe still is today, it was all to help the members of the Cherokee Nation to achieve the dream of homeownership," said Linda Parish, vice -president of Commercial Banker-Middle Market Banking Eastern Oklahoma, Chase Bank. "We like to develop community partnerships, such as this with the Cherokee Nation to support healthy vibrant communities where we live and work. Chase is very proud, as you are, of this program and thank you for the opportunity."
According to Sims, the Cherokees are doing good work in the areas of low-income housing and community partnership and they are a great example for other tribes.
"The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation and HUD have provided Cherokee Citizens with an opportunity for homeownership which they would not have otherwise had without the Title VI loan program," said Cara Cowan, Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member representing Rogers County. "Self-determination of tribes is determined not just by government actions, but by the long-term financial success of individual tribal citizens. Homeownership is a key indicator of an individual’s financial stability."
"Fannie Mae is very proud to be a part of Title VI and a small part of this program, that is what I congratulate the Cherokee Nation and the Housing Authority of Cherokee Nation on this new subdivision," said Lorrie Davis, senior deputy director of the Oklahoma Office , Fannie Mae. "We are committed to Native Americans nationwide and are very committed to the Cherokee Nation here in Oklahoma."
"I would like to thank the staff, they are serving thousands of Cherokees throughout, from answering the phones, to move in, to what we see here today," Ketcher said. "This was a cow pasture when we started, and the city has been very supportive of this effort here. This is a community, our whole goal was to come here and bring something that adds to the community and not takes away, we intend to do this as long as we receive the support that we need, thank you all ."
For more information on Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation visit the HACN office at the Cherokee Village, located at 310 Chief Stand Watie in Catoosa or call 918-266-5658 or visit the HACN office serving Rogers, Tulsa, Washington, Craig and Nowata Counties , located at 23205 S. HWY 66, south of Claremore, or call 918-342-2433.
| Related Cherokee Nation 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 |