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APRIL 1, 2022
5
Housing developments are underway in Grand Ronde
By Danielle Harrison
Smoke Signals staff writer
The Grand Ronde Tribe has the
largest membership of the nine
federally recognized Tribes in Ore-
gon, but it has the least amount of
Reservation housing available for
its members.
“We didn’t have the land base to
do so,” Tribal Council Chairwoman
Cheryle A. Kennedy said. “We’ve
been involved in developing hous-
ing for more than 25 years and
continue to work on housing issues.
… We do know there is a housing
shortage and many do not have a
roof over their heads.”
The discussion was part of the
Tribe’s monthly Facebook Live
meetings, which keep the mem-
bership up-to-date on a variety of
topics. Approximately 140 logged in
to listen to the event that was held
on Wednesday, March 16.
In addition to Kennedy, Tribal
Council member Kathleen George,
Tribal Council Secretary Michael
Langley, Housing Department
Manager Shonn Leno and Tribal
Engineering and Planning Manag-
er Ryan Webb participated.
Kennedy said that through fed-
eral funding and Spirit Mountain
Casino revenues, the Tribe has
been able to fund a package that
addresses the housing shortage
issue with two new housing de-
velopments: the Creekside Elder
duplexes with 24 units located at
the southwest corner of Hebo and
Grand Ronde roads and a new
home ownership opportunity with
52 single-family homes at the end
of McPherson Road east of Grand
Ronde Road.
“We are working diligently to
make sure housing is available and
you get the best product for the
least money,” Kennedy said.
Webb updated the membership
as to where each development is in
the construction process.
The Creekside Elder Housing
project is in the process of having
utilities, sidewalks and roads in-
stalled. The
c o m p l e x
will have 24
two-bedroom,
one-bath, en-
ergy efficient
units with
approximate-
ly 1,120 feet
that will in-
Cheryle A. Kennedy clude all ap-
pliances. The
homes will have solar panels, unit
specific batteries to store the solar
energy and plug-ins for emergency
use of generators. The expected
completion date is spring 2023.
The single-family housing devel-
opment is in phase one of construc-
tion and will include 20 lots with
different housing plans available to
suit individual Tribal families. It is
also in the process of having roads,
sidewalks and utilities installed,
with that work expected to wrap
up in May. Home construction itself
is tentatively expected to start this
summer and should take six to nine
months for each home.
Phase two will have 32 lots and
site improvements will begin in
spring 2023. The price per square
foot ranges from $175 to $230,
which is below average. According
to homes.com, the average price per
square foot of a single family home
in Oregon is currently $269.
“The homebuilder (Scholten Con-
struction) is working on individual
costs for each different design,”
Webb said. “This is a very trying
and expensive time given the sup-
ply chain issues and inflation costs.
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We are working closely with them
to make sure we are getting the
best value for the money.”
To date, more than 100 Tribal
members have expressed interest
in purchasing the homes and a
lender has reached out to them to
see if they are interested in continu-
ing the prequalification process.
Leno updated attendees on the
current state of Tribal rental hous-
ing. As of March 16, there is a
waiting list of 37 applicants for
one-bedroom units, 10 for two-bed-
room units, nine for three-bedroom
units and one for a four-bedroom
unit. The oldest application is from
2018.
In Elder housing, there are 30
applicants on the waiting list for
two-bedroom units and the oldest
application is from 2017.
Market rate housing has eight ap-
plicants for the one-bedroom units,
17 for the two-bedroom units, five
for the three-bedroom units, two
for the four-bedroom units and one
for a five-bedroom unit. The oldest
application is from 2018.
Currently, five Elder units, eight
family units and one market-rate
unit are being remodeled and are
not yet ready for occupancy.
The Tribe also has applied for
a Housing and Urban Develop-
ment grant to construct five more
low-income apartment complexes
in Tribal housing and will begin
the project if the grant is awarded.
After the presentations were
complete, Leno and Webb took 14
questions and comments from the
audience.
“I hope our meetings have given
answers to questions that are im-
portant to you,” Kennedy said. “We
want members to have a place of
shelter. It is heartbreaking to see
those who don’t have any.”
The next Facebook Live event
will be held in April and the topic is
undecided. Check the Tribe’s social
media pages or website at www.
grandronde.org for updates.
Grand Ronde Head Start Preschool
Apply now!
Applications due by June 10, 2022
Head Start nurtures the growth of you and your child.
Join our supportive community and give your child a
strong head start. Apply today!
For Kids:
For Parents:
Connection to housing resources
•
Safe, quality early education
•
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Qualified teachers
•
Employment assistance
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Healthy meals
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Parent training & support
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Cultural opportunities
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Transportation may be available
Enrollment opportunities for pregnant
women
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Resources for children with disabilities
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Enrollment opportunities for all incomes
WAYS TO APPLY:
ONLINE at :
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https://www.grandronde.org/services/education/early-childhood-education/
Email dawn.doar@grandronde.org for an application
Or Scan QR Code:
Deadline is May 15th
Applications available on
YEP & YC, FB & IG
MORE INFO ON FB & IG
MUST BE IN GRADES 6-12
Grand Ronde Youth
Empowerment & Prevention
503.879.2034
CTGRyouthempowerment
CTGRyouthcouncil
Enrolling ages birth to 4
To Learn More: dawn.doar @grandronde.org
503-879-1434