September 1, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
Update: Council names local housing a top priority
4
By Linda Layden
With the recent approval of the Housing Plan by
Tribal Council, the Grand Rondc Tribal Hous
ing Authority (GRTHA) is off to a good start
towards implementing housing programs for tribal mem
bers. The Five-Year Plan goals are: to develop new hous
ing opportunities in the Grand Ronde area, to foster
homeownership by tribal households, and to continue
GRTHA's organizational development activities. An An
nual Workplan is currently being developed which will out
line the work priorities through 1997. Several of these pro
grams and projects, such as the Down Payment Assistance
Grant, the Emergency Repair Grant, the Major Rehabilita
tion Grant, the HUD Rental Development Program, and the
Manufactured Home Park are explained below. Copies of
the Housing Plan Goals and Objectives Summary, addi
tional information, and applications for programs can be
obtained by calling GRTHA at (503) 879-2467 or 1-800-422-0232.
Down Payment Assistance Grant Program
Down Payment Assistance Grants have been increased
this year up to $ 10,000. In the past, the grant amount was
$5,000. Because of the rising cost of homes everywhere,
this amount proved to be inadequate and many of the grant
recipients still could not buy a home. This program has
also been changed from the six-county service area so that
tribal members living anywhere can participate. In or
der to qualify, tribal member applicants must qualify as a
"first time" homcbuyer.
A "first time" homcbuyer is someone who has not owned
a home during the three year period preceding the grant
award. The applicant's household income must be no less
than $15,000 per year, and their housing cost cannot ex
ceed more than 30 of their income (applicants will be
prequalified by GRTHA).
There is also a new requirement that recipients must par
ticipate in a homcbuyer education class. The grant recipi
ent must use the grant (have a purchase commitment) within
three months or it will be forfeited to the next household on
the waiting list. There is currently a waiting list of approxi
mately 50 households, and the program is funded for 1 1
grants this year. Selections for grants will be made in Sep
tember. Priority will be given based on order of date of
application Elders and disabled will be given preference.
Because of the large number of existing applicants, new
applicants probably will not receive a grant this year.
GRTHA will request a higher level of funding for 1997.
Emergency Repair Assistance
Emergency Repair Assistance is available to tribal mem
ber homeowners for emergency housing repairs that threaten
the health or safety of the occupants, or the structural integ
rity of the home. This program is available in GRTHA's
ten county service area (Polk, Yamhill, Marion, Tillamook,
Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Linn, Benton, and
Lincoln). Grants are awarded up to $2,500, and recipients
may receive up to two grants per calendar year, not to ex
ceed $2,500 total. Emergency health and safety repairs are
considered first priority. Preference is given to Elders and
disabled. This program is commonly used to provide grab
bars, entry ramps, and other accessibility items-for Elders.
Major Rehabilitation Grants and
Deferred Payment Loans
This program provides grants to low-income tribal mem
ber homeowners for major rehabilitation of their home.
Income limits are based on household size and are 80 of
the median income (call GRTHA for the guidelines). The
home must be located in GRTHA's ten-county service area.
This area has been expanded from the six-county area in
previous years. The property must be in such a physical
condition so as to be considered "standard" by GRTHA
upon completion of the work. The maximum grant amount
is $20,000. If this amount will not bring the home up to
standard condition, the applicant will be considered for a
Deferred Payment Loan.
Deferred Payment Loans are made only in combination
with Major Rehabilitation Grants, when the grant is insuf
ficient to cover all the required work. This loan can be up
to $15,000, depending upon the amount of equity in the
home. There is no interest and there are no monthly pay
ments. The loan repayment is deferred until the property is
sold or title is transferred. The loan is secured with a prom
issory note and property lien.
If selected for participation in this program, GRTHA will
prepare specifications and obtain competitive bids for the
work to be done. Common improvements include replace
ment of roofs, windows, heating systems, outdated electri
cal and plumbing systems, and bathroom and kitchen reno
vations. GRTHA staff will administer the construction con
tract and inspect the work. Priority for these programs are
given based on order of date of application, with prefer
ence given to Elders and disabled. There is a very short
waiting list at this time, and new applications will be con
sidered for funding next year.
IHS Water & Sanitation Program
GRTHA currently accepts applications from tribal
homeowners and homebuyers who need assistance with
water andor sewer services. This can be a new service or
repair of a failed service. Applications are forwarded to
Indian Health Service (IHS) for consideration and approval,
and the construction or repair work is coordinated by
GRTHA. There are no income limits.
Rental Housing for Elders,
Funded by HUD ONAP
(Department of Housing & Urban Development Office
of Native American Programs)
GRTHA recently received funding for the development,
construction, and operation of 15 units of housing for low
income Elders over the age of 62 (62 is a HUD imposed
requirement, but there may be some flexibility). This project
will be governed by the many regulations required by HUD.
The advantage is that tenants will have affordable rents and
comfortable homes. There is already a waiting list for these
units, but Elders are encouraged to apply. This develop
ment will be constructed on tribal property just southeast
of the Alcohol and Drug Program building and north of the
Public Works building, in the area with the overgrown
Christmas trees. The type and design of the buildings will
be determined this winter. All applicants and any other
interested Elders will be invited to attend meetings during
the design process to give their comments.
GRTHA will also research the demand for an Assisted
Living Facility for Elders, and search for financing if there
is adequate demand.
Manufactured Home Park
Tribal Council directed the development of a manufac
tured home park on tribal property directly across Grand
Ronde Road from the tribal cemetery. This park will be
limited to tribal member households who are financially
able to purchase a new doublewide manufactured home. It
is not intended to be "low income housing," but is being
built in an effort to provide a subdivision setting for finan
cially able tribal members wanting to relocate to Grand
Ronde. The zoning in the Grand Ronde area does not al
low for subdivision development, so households currently
must be able to buy a 5 acre parcel of land. These parcels
are scarce and expensive.
GRTHA will be managing this park, and has been par
ticipating in the determination of guidelines for develop
ment, set-up, and operations. Eligibility criteria and other
requirements will be approved by Tribal Council. GRTHA
will be recommending the guidelines based on their research
and negotiations. GRTHA is currently working with sev
eral dealers to get reduced prices for tribal members. Ap
plications for residency in the park are being accepted by
GRTHA, and there are still lots available. GRTHA will
help applicants determine their homebuying parameters and
assist them through the process. Construction of the park
is expected to be completed in November.
Because this is a park on tribal land, conventional real
estate loans are not possible for financing. At this time,
only two financing options are available: owner financing,
and personal loans (higher interest rate than for real estate
loans, but lower closing costs). GRTHA is working on a
third option, which is a federally guaranteed loan program
known through FHA. This requires the cooperation of lend
ing institutions, the BIA, FHA, and the Tribe, among oth
ers, and is a lengthy process. This program has been suc
cessfully implemented in Washington, but has not yet been
done in Oregon. If successful here, it will be available for
future tribal homeownership projects.
Some of the areas that are still undetermined are:
1 . ) the set-up requirements and who will do the set-up;
2. ) the park package requirements and cost (this consists
of the decks, sidewalks, carportsgarages, landscaping, etc.);
3. ) the park rent and what it will include; and
4. ) whether tribal assistance will be available for down pay
ments or other costs, and if so, in what amount.
As soon as these questions are answered, GRTHA will
be contacting all applicants to begin working with them to
determine their ability to meet the requirements for residency.
1 mtjrtinaj5ji3i?)?fn
Future Homeownership Opportunities
in Grand Ronde
The Tribe is currently in the process of closing on the
purchase of several Grand Ronde properties for the devel
opment of housing programs. When these transactions are
completed, GRTHA will have adequate land available for
projects for the next five years. These properties will need
to go through the fee-to-trust process, which takes approxi
mately one year. Actual development of homes will not
begin for several years. Tribal members should be aware
that homeownership on tribal trust land will be different
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