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May 19, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
By Linda Layden, Housing Program Director
In keeping with the Housing Plan goals to develop new
housing opportunities in the Grand Rondc area and to fos
ter homeowncrship by tribal households, the Grand Ronde
Tribal Housing Authority (GRTHA) operates a Down Pay
ment Assistance Grant program, an Emergency Repair Grant
program, and a Major Rehabilitation Grant program, as well
as the development and leasing of lots in the Grand Mead
ows Manufactured Home Subdivision in Grand Ronde. Up
coming projects will include 15 rental units funded by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
for Elders. More information on these programsprojects
is explained elsewhere in this section. Copies of the Hous
ing Plan Goals and Objectives Summary, additional infor
mation, and applications for programs can be obtained by
calling GRTHA at 879-2467 or 1 -800-422-0232, ext. 2467.
Down Payment Assistance Grants have been increased
this year up to $ 10,000 due to the rising cost of homes ev
erywhere. This program has also been changed from the
ten county service area so that tribal members living any
where can participate. In order to qualify, tribal member
applicants must qualify as a "first time" homebuyer. A "first
time" homebuyer 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 no more than $65,000, and their housing cost
cannot exceed more than 30 of their income (applicants
will be prequalificd for program participation by GRTHA).
There is also a requirement that recipients must participate
in a homebuyer education class. The grant recipient must
use the grant (have a purchase commitment) within three
months or it will be forfeited to the next household on the
waiting list. This is GRTHA's most popular program and
therefore there is currently a waiting list of approximately
80 households for 1998. The program has already selected
or funded the 30 available grants for 1 997. Priority is given
based on order of date of application, with Elders and dis
abled given preference. Not all of the households on the
current waiting list will meet the eligibility requirements.
Because of the large number of existing applicants, new
applicants will not receive a grant for 1-2 years. GRTHA
will request a higher level of funding for 1998.
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 $3,000, and recipients
may receive up to two grants per calendar year, not to ex
ceed $3,000 total. Emergency health and safety repairs are
considered first priority. Preference is given to Elders and
disabled. In addition to repairs to roofs, electrical and
plumbing systems, this program is often used to provide
grab bars, entry ramps, and other accessibility items for
Elders.
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
It is important that applicants for housing pro
grams keep their information current with
GRTHA. If your address, phone number, income,
household size or other information has changed,
be sure to call Bryan Langley at 879-2467 or 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2467.
(see Emergency Repair Assistance). The property must be
in such a physical condition so as to be considered "stan
dard" by GRTHA upon completion of the work. The maxi
mum 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
contract and inspect the work. Priority for these programs
are given based on order of date of application, with pref
erence given to Elders and disabled. There is a short wait
ing list at this time, and new applications will be consid
ered for funding next year.
GRTHA currently accepts applications from tribal
homeowners and homcbuycrs 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 Services (IHS) for consideration and ap
proval. The construction or repair work is coordinated by
GRTHA. There are no income limits. This process can be
very lengthy due to the required coordination with IHS.
A new manufactured home subdivision has been devel
oped on tribal property directly across from the tribal cem
etery on Grand Ronde Road . This development is designed
for 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 financially
able tribal members wanting to relocate to Grand Ronde.
The zoning in the Grand Ronde area does not allow 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 development, and has
participated in the determination of the guidelines for de
velopment, set-up, and operations. Eligibility criteria and
other requirements developed by GRTHA were approved
by Tribal Council. GRTHA recommended the guidelines
based on their research and negotiations, and worked with
several home dealers to get reduced prices for tribal mem
bers. Applications for residency in Grand Meadows are
being accepted by GRTHA, and there are still lots avail
able. GRTHA will help applicants determine their home
buying parameters and assist them through the process.
Homeowners will begin moving in this summer.
Because this is a park on tribal land, conventional real
estate loans are not possible for financing. Only two fi
nancing options were available: owner financing and per
sonal loans (significantly higher interest rate than for real
estate loans). There is now a third option which is prefer
able and is being used. This is a federally guaranteed loan
program through HUD, which requires the cooperation of
lending institutions, the BIA, HUD, and the Tribe, among
others.
FUTURE PROJECTS
IN GRAND RONDE
In 1996, GRTHA received funding from the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Na
tive American Programs 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 gov
erned by the many regulations required by HUD, but the
advantage is that tenants will have affordable rents and com
fortable homes. There is already a waiting list for these
units, but Elders are encouraged to apply to show HUD our
need for more funding. This development will be con
structed on tribal property just southeast of the Tribe's Al
cohol and Drug Program building and north of the Public
Works building. The type and design of the buildings will
be determined this summer. All applicants and any other
interested Elders will be invited to attend meetings during
the design process to give their comments.
The Tribe has recently purchased several properties for the
development of housing projects over the next five years.
These properties will need to go through the fce-to-trust
process, which takes approximately one year. Actual de
velopment of homes will not begin for several years. Tribal
members should be aware that homeowncrship on tribal
trust land will be different than homeowncrship on private
property. Residents will be buying their dwelling, but the
land will continue to be held in trust and will be on a long
term lease with the Tribe. The details of future homeown
ership programs are yet to be determined, and financing for
such projects will need to be obtained. Tribal members
will be invited to participate in the design of this program.
Meanwhile, GRTHA will begin working with tribal mem
bers to help them assess their financial situation, repair credit
problems, and assist with their budgeting process in order
to pay off debts and position themselves for eligibility for
mortgages.
GRTHA will also be looking for financing for a rental
project that will serve a mixed range of household incomes
and family sizes. This project will be difficult to finance,
and may require funding from several sources. HUD fund
ing is very limited at this time, and cannot be relied upon.
Funding programs through the State of Oregon are currently
limited to fee land rather than trust land. GRTHA intends
to begin searching for funding that will be conducive to
developing units that are affordable to tribal members.