Siletz news /, February 01, 2013, Page 5, Image 5

Single-family housing project will bring 7 new homes to Siletz in August
Program eventually
will include 21 homes,
building a sustainable
community in Siletz
By Natasha Kavanaugh
A ground-breaking ceremony took
place Oct. 29, 2012, on the Miller property
located between Southwest Swan Avenue
and Southwest Buford Street in Siletz.
The Siletz Single-Family Affordable
Housing Development project, called the
Tillamook Community, is the site of the
Home of Your Own (HYO) program. The
project is funded through a HUD Indian
Housing Block Grant.
The program offers low-income Siletz
Tribal members who cannot get a home
loan and have no down payment saved
an opportunity to become a homeowner.
Phase I construction began in Novem-
ber 2012 and should be completed by
Aug. 2, 2013. This phase consists of the
first seven homes – two 2-bedroom, three
3-bedroom and two 4-bedroom units,
all designed to be energy-efficient; and
infrastructure, streets, sidewalks and a
park area.
Cearley Construction LLC, owned
by Siletz Tribal member Jeremy Cearley
of Estacada, Ore., is building the homes.
Working closely on the project is
Siletz Tribal Housing Department staff
members Rob Smith, development/
modernization manager; Sami Jo
Difuntorum, Housing executive director;
and the Force Account Crew.
“This project is unique in design.
Working with Rob Smith and Sami Jo
to value engineer some things has saved
quite a bit of money on this project. I
enjoy having the Force Account Crew
on the job doing the foundations. It has
allowed me to meet and work with other
Tribal members. The Housing Depart-
ment has put together a great crew of
guys,” said Cearley.
His first job for the Tribe was the
Portland Area Office tenant improvement
(TI) remodel project.
“I was awarded that project and
opened up Cearley Construction in 2008,”
he said.
In the past five years, he has com-
pleted the Gwee-Shut Apartments in
Siletz with his project manager, Ed Wil-
liams; multiple private homeowner rehab
projects for the STHD Rehabilitation
Housing Improvement Program; Force
Account Crew’s maintenance shop; and
the Aramark Uniform Company TI at the
Tribe’s flex building in Salem.
“That relationship introduced me
to Siletz Tribal Business Corporation,
where in 2012 my wife and I became the
contract managers at Hee Hee Illahee RV
Resort in Salem and Logan Road RV Park
in Lincoln City. We currently have four
terrific employees that run the daily park
operations,” said Cearley.
“I am successful today because of the
Tribe. In 2000, the Tribe gave me a down
payment grant to buy my first house in
Milwaukie, Ore. The Tribe has sent me
to multiple training programs throughout
the years. Rob Smith and Tracy Bailey
have been a wealth of knowledge. Steve
Larrabee and Michael Phillips at STBC
have helped me sharpen my skills as a
business owner by giving me the oppor-
tunity and the tools to run the RV parks,”
said Cearley. “In a nutshell, I have had so
many people involved in the Tribe help me
throughout my career. If one person had
not been so generous with advice, I would
not have the skills today to be doing this
project and I am grateful for the opportu-
nities the Tribe has made available.”
Phase II of HYO
Phase II of the new program will
begin when funding is in place.
“We will build additional houses
each year as Tribal members apply and
funds are available. We intend to build
additional homes in future years in both
Siletz and Lincoln City,” said Difuntorum
The HYO program is not part of the
current Mutual Help homeownership
program, which still is available for exist-
ing homes.
HYO participants will complete a
financial education course to strengthen
credit scores and learn about budgeting,
use of credit, saving, banking and preda-
tory lending.
These homes are available on a lease-
to-own basis. Qualified participants have
the option to purchase the home after the
lease period reaches six months and for up
to three years. Financing will be available
through the Tribe at 3 percent interest.
The application process includes
screening credit, employment, income
level and landlord references, all similar
to a standard mortgage. STHD will factor
in disability, health and safety issues in
the selection process, with grants awarded
from a waiting list.
Selection will be on a first-come, first-
served basis with a stipulation of one-time
assistance per household every six years.
Tribal members living anywhere in the
United States can use this program.
For more information and to apply,
contact Brett Lane, admissions specialist, at
541-444-8317 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1317.
Photos by Diane Rodriquez
Housing and infrastructure construction continues at the Tillamook Community in Siletz.
Nesika Illahee Pow-wow
Attention Siletz Tribal Artists
Royalty Crown Proposals
The 2013 Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow Committee once again is having a logo
contest for the upcoming pow-wow in August 2013. All artists are encouraged to
submit a pow-wow-themed logo.
The 2013 Pow-Wow Committee is now accepting proposals for 2013-2014
royalty crowns. Proposals are being accepted for Miss Siletz, Junior Miss Siletz
and Little Miss Siletz.
Proposals for a crown are required to include art design, size of the crown
and a bid for the crown or crowns of your interest. Proposals can be submitted
for individual crowns, two crowns or you can submit a bid for all three crowns.
Crown proposals must be turned in to the committee no later than March 15,
2013. Proposals can be sent to: Siletz Pow-Wow Committee, P.O. Box 549, Siletz,
OR 97380-0549.
If you have any questions, contact Buddy Lane at 800-922-1399, ext. 1230,
or 541-444-8230.
The winning logo artist will receive a cash prize of $250 and a professional
banner with your logo. The winning artist will have his or her logo highlighted on
the Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow flyers and merchandise.
Please submit your artwork to the cultural education director’s office at the
Tribal Community Center or mail it to Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Attn:
Pow-Wow Logo Contest, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549.
All entries must be received no later than March 15, 2013.
February 2013
•
Siletz฀News฀
•
5