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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 1996)
SMOKE SIGNALS - April 18, 1996 Page 3 r jmti. it y r i? . - I l v HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: From left: Brian Doke, David Foster, Tim Holmes, Julie Metcalf, Mel Holmes, Linda Hale, and Bob Watson. By Kim Mueller On March 27, Tribal Council passed the Housing Ordinance which allows the Tribe to establish the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority. The key provisions of the Housing Ordinance are to create a Hous ing Plan that will guide the Authority in the development and implementation of projects; and to appoint a seven member Board of Commissioners to manage the affairs of the Housing Authority. To implement a Housing Authority op eration, Council has appointed a Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. On page 4, section (g), number (2) of the Tribal . Housing Ordinance it states: To the extent practicable, Board candidates must have a demonstrated interest in housing programs or experience in one or more of the follow ing areas: affordable housing development, residential building construction, real estate, property management, and housing finance. The first four board members listed are tribal members and the remaining three are non-tribal members. The newly appointed Board of Commissioners are: . MEL HOLMES 3 year term. Housing Advisory Board member. Professional experience in engineering, planning, contract administration, and budgeting in his current position with the Oregon Department of Transportation. 18 years experience in land use and trans portation planning for Oregon communities. BOB WATSON 3 year term. Member of 6 Governor's cabinets,. Had. . working relationships with State Housing agencies in these states. 10 year head of the Oregon Corrections Department, built hundreds of housing units for prisoners. 8 year head of the Delaware Corrections Department, built low-income housing units for the local Housing Authority and thou sands of multiple types of housing units for prisoners. In Oregon and Delaware, he was team leader overseeing all phases of construction on multi-million dollar projects, including con ducting public meetings, budgeting, selection of architectural and engineering firms, and supervision of on-site construction. Chairman, Spirit Mountain Gaming Com mission. TIM HOLMES 3 year term. Housing Advisory Board member. Current Chairman and 2 years Vice Chair man, State of Oregon Independent Living Council. Established by the Governor to promote among consumers and service pro viders a philosophy of independent living and develop avenues to achieve full inclu sion of individuals with disabilities into Oregon society. Currently employed as a Vocational Re habilitation Counselor at the Tribe. LINDA HALE 2 year term. Housing Advisory Board member. 1 5 years professional experience in the in surance industry (S AIF). i v "Extensive team building training. JULIE METCALF 2 year term. Formed LINAPO, a Native American Community Development Corporation in Portland that develops and manages rental housing for Native Americans. Developed a triplex, complete with a successful funding package; LINAPO is currently developing a 7-plex. Previous work experience with the Port land Housing Center, an agency that assists low-income households in obtaining home ownership. DAVID FOSTER 1 year term. Community Housing Planner, Oregon Hous ing & Community Services Department, hired in 1992 to address Oregon's affordable housing issues. Principal author of Oregon's "Housing Strategies Workbook." Recently facilitated statewide citizen in volvement process and authored the first State Consolidated Plan for Community De velopment and housing. Has been a valuable resource to the tribal Housing Department in implementing the housing survey and developing the draft Housing Plan. 1 2 years experience in local land use plan ning. BRIAN DOKE 1 year term. Branch Manager, Washington Mutual Bank. 6 years experience in mortgage lending. Washington Mutual has a strong commit ment to low-income and minority home ownership, and is active in Community Reinvestment Act lending. In the next 90 days the Housing Author ity will be addressing the following: 1. Organizational set-up: elect officers, set regular meeting dates and times, by laws, operational procedures, etc. 2. Review existing tribal housing program (down payment and repair grants) policies and revise the eligibility guidelines for 1 996 funds. 3. Prepare Housing Plan for Tribal Coun cil approval. This will be the guiding docu ment for housing programs, in accordance with the Housing Ordinance. 4. Submit application to HUD for devel opment funds for new housing on tribal land in Grand Ronde. At this time, Congress has not appropri ated 1996 funds for HUD programs. They will be accepting applications from Hous ing Authorities so that when funding is available they can award grants without any delay. We expect to receive money for some new housing, but construction prob ably will not occur until spring of 1997. Because we are a newly created Housing Authority, we can expect to receive some funding. Anyone interested in obtaining a copy Df the Tribal Housing Ordinance may contact Nancy Holmes at the Tribal Hous ing Department, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347. Call 879-2401 or 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2401.
