Highlights of the 2016 UNAHA Meeting in Denver, CO

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UNAHA REESTABLISHES QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Bob Gauthier, UNAHA Administrator
At its December meeting in Las Vegas Nevada, UNAHA voted to expand services with Gauthier Agency. The intent of the expansion is to provide more specific information, coordinate training for each UNAHA member more efficiently, expand our resource base to include grants and additional associate memberships, and finally, to again present a quarterly newsletter that brings a focus on what’s happening on a National, Regional and local level in Housing that effects each of our members. This will be the first issue in many years.
As most of you know, UNAHA was created in 1985 to address concerns of a common nature, to share solutions to complex housing issues and to support and encourage members as they go about the challenging and important work of helping our tribes develop and manage housing for their memberships. Much has changed over the past 31 years, but the original purpose of the organization is remained much the same. You have asked for and we intend to provide a newsletter that you will look forward to each quarter. It will include news related to current events, partner information from HUD, USADA, VA and lenders, and good news about each other. We will try to post job opportunities and member requests for services. To provide this in a manner that is truly useful to you the member, please provide feedback to us after reviewing this first copy.
To make this happen, Gauthier Agency LLC has contracted with Charmel McClure-Sternick. We are excited about her association with UNAHA and we think you will be too as you get to know her. She will be contacting each of you over the next few weeks to introduce herself and begin developing a great relationship with you.
We understand that the quality of this newsletter and the value to you will be in identifying and presenting solutions that our members have developed to address day to day challenges of Indian Housing operation. There has never been a more critical time to work together and to utilize our Association to support each tribe’s efforts. Please let Charmel, Myrna or me know.

UNAHA Leadership

UNAHA Chairman-Jason Adams
Salish & Kootenai Housing Authority
PO Box 38, Pablo, MT 59855
Phone: (406) 675-4491
Fax: (406) 675-4495

UNAHA Vice Chair-Sharon Vogel
Cheyenne River Housing Authority
PO Box 480, Eagle Butte SD 57625
Phone: (605) 964-4265 ext. 132
Fax: (605) 964-1070

UNAHA Treasurer-Joey Nathan
Northern Ponca Housing Authority
1501 W Michigan Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
Phone: (402) 379-8224
Fax: (402)379-8557

UNAHA Secretary-Iva Grainger
Fort Peck Housing Authority
PO Box 667, Poplar MT 59255
Phone: (406) 768-3459 ext. 31

Administrative Directors
Gauthier Agency LLC
Bob & Myrna Gauthier
63316 US HWY 93
Ronan MT, 59864
Phone: 406 676-8445
Fax: 406 676-8444

Meet the New UNAHA Membership Relationship Manager

My name is Charmel McClure-Sternick and I am an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. My family and I recently returned to The Flathead Indian Reservation to be closer to family. Along with the move came a new opportunity to work with the Gauthier Agency to help coordinate membership services and activities to strengthen the relationship between UNAHA and it’s members. A major component of my position is to develop and produce this quarterly newsletter that I hope you find interesting and useful. I would love to hear feedback about what is important to you and your organization and what you would like to see in future editions. Please share this info with your colleagues and feel free to add employees to the mailing list. Thank you and I look forward to working with each of you.

Please visit our website www.unaha.org for up-to-date training and grant information and employment opportunities

Congratulations to the
UNAHA AWARD WINNERS 2016!

Program Awards:
Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority and Board
Omaha Tribal Housing Authority Board and Staff
Tenant Services at Oglala Sioux (Lakota) Housing
Blackfeet Housing
Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Board of Commissioners
Winnebago Housing and Development

Individual Awards:
Monica Hunger-Moran (SWA Corp)
Louie Sheridan, Jr.

Legends in Indian Housing:
Joann Lemmon
Warren L. Mackey
Jeannie M. Cadwell
David Heisterkamp

Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority and Board of Commissioners

UNAHA and NPONAP recognize the Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority (ESHA) and the Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for a UNAHA award for overall significant improvements. Over the past 3.5 years, ESHA and the Board have worked tirelessly to improve operations. They have participated in numerous housing related and staff trainings. The HA staff and Board’s commitment and dedication to improvement culminated in ESHA receiving a $842,084 FY 2015 Indian Community Development Block Grant to conduct moderate interior HVAC and kitchen appliance replacements and extensive exterior rehabilitation to 116 housing units; a $2,715,914 Title VI Loan to complete the new construction of the 20 units in Tigee Village; and $270,127 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Wyoming Community Development Authority for a 20-unit, new construction, affordable housing project to revitalize Tigee Village, a subdivision on the Wind River Reservation that was originally constructed in 1968.

Omaha Tribal Housing Authority Board, ED, and Staff

UNAHA and NPONAP commend the Omaha Tribal Housing Authority’s Board, ED, and staff, on significant improvements over the past two years. During this time, OTHA has significantly improved its administrative capacity due to the efforts of the Board, Executive Director and current staff. In order to understand the housing program and improve OTHA operations, the Board took it upon themselves to perform the required self-monitoring assessment of each housing department. Based on the completed assessment, areas of deficiencies were identified and corrective actions taken, which is evident in their current performance. As a result, OTHA has significantly reduced the number of open findings, and is able to dedicate more time to providing much needed housing services to its tribal members.

Tenant Service Representatives at Oglala Sioux (Lakota) Housing

UNAHA and NPONAP would like to recognize the accomplishments of the Tenant Service Representatives at the Oglala Sioux (Lakota) Housing (OSLH). The TSRs at OSLH, headed by Donna Lamont, Tenant Service Representative Coordinator, perform excellent work in challenging conditions. They truly demonstrate care for their tenants and communities. In 2015, the TSRs began conducting financial literacy classes for their tenants. The TSRs coordinate twice-yearly volunteer neighborhood cleanups, social events that have resulted in noticeable improvement within the communities. They cultivate trusting relationships with tenants, facilitating the work of keeping families housed while following program regulations. In the last year, the TSRs have responded proactively to the tragedy of youth suicides on Pine Ridge. OSLH held “Youthstock” in May of 2015, a weekend event featuring dance contests, bands, and play opportunities, an event intended to bring the communities’ youth together to provide positive activities. They’ve also worked to support the youth in their communities by participating in training on positive parenting, suicide prevention, and referrals. The TSRs at OSLH are to be commended for their efforts to coordinate tribal services and assistance for tribal members and for all the work they do to support their tenants and housing program.

BLACKFEET HOUSING - It is safe to say that the Blackfeet Housing program is thriving in very difficult times for Indian Housing Authorities in our Region. With HUD funding literally frozen, Chancy has sought new resources to continue to build homes. He just completed Blackfeet’s fifth Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. He has plans for a sixth once funding is approved. He is also developing a fifty unit Home ownership program funded by Title VI and Federal Home Loan Bank funding. He is growing his USDA program working to bring subsidized Homeownerhip opportunities for his lowing income members. On top of his housing efforts, Chancy is leveraging funds to develop a metal roofing production capacity to share with other tribes as well as to lower costs at Blackfeet. Not much moss settles on this man, Chancy, UNAHA and NPONAP and UNAHA recognizes your efforts and congratulates you for your work to meet your goals at Blackfeet.

Winnebago Housing & Development Commission (Norma Stealer and staff)

UNAHA and NPONAP commend the Winnebago Housing and Development Commission (WHDC) on its many outreach efforts to Tribal members. WHDC goes above and beyond by offering individualized services to its tenants to ensure their units are maintained in a healthy and safe environment. WHDC resident services and maintenance staff take the time to visit each of their tenants and share maintenance and housekeeping tips to ensure that inspections go smoothly. WHDC also ensures that units are kept clean and free of hoarding or unsanitary conditions by conducting one-on-one weekly or monthly housekeeping inspections. This unique approach teaches tenants the basic lease requirements of taking care of their units and shows that WHDC really cares about its tenants.

Monica Hunger-Moran (SWA Corp) - UNAHA and NPONAP wish to recognize Monica Hunger-Moran of SWA Corporation, the tribally designated housing entity of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, as an employee who has gone the extra mile to support affordable housing efforts for Rosebud tribal members. Ms. Moran, who has approximately 32 years of housing experience with SWA, is the lead person responsible for the mold mitigation grant awarded to the tribe in FY 2014. SWA is the sub-recipient in charge of administering the $400,000 grant, which is substantially complete. Mold is a serious problem on the Rosebud Reservation with approximately 80% of all housing affected by the problem. The FY 2014 ICDBG MOLD grant addresses mold mitigation for 12 units occupied by LMI.

In addition to her responsibility with the MOLD grant, Ms. Moran has gone the extra mile by acting on behalf of Amos Prue, CEO of SWA, for the past few months during his absence. This entails administration and oversight of a large staff and 903 units of current assisted stock. Ms. Moran has been a strong advocate of meth mitigation and has initiated calls with HUD, DEA and congressional leaders to find supplemental funding to address the myriad problems involved with meth contaminated homes and the effects on the overall community, including homelessness; children’s health; crime prevention and safety; and the safety of SWA staff who must deal with the tenants and the contaminated homes.

Louie Sheridan Jr. - Last year received recognition nominated by his Board of commissioners. This year, Louie has been recognized by HUD and UNAHA for working hard to get his Housing Program compliant and productive. Louie has a long history in housing having worked for the National American Indian Housing Council for many years prior to going to work for the Omaha Tribe where he is enrolled. Always positive and upbeat, we congratulate Louie and recognize his outstanding performance.

WARREN MACKEY - For 20 years Warren Mackey has served the members of the Santee Sioux Tribe in an efficient and comprehensive manner. The Housing Program at Santee Sioux may be one of the best in the Region. Over the years, Warren and his staff have created a comprehensive development plan on an identified parcel of Tribal Land, leveraged his NAHASDA funds and has outstanding HUD Monitoring reports and clean financial audits. UNAHA and HUD NPONAP congratulates Warren Mackey and thank him for his outstanding service to his tribe.

David Heisterkamp - David may be the single best contribution to Indian Housing made by Jim Wagenlander. For over 20 years David has become a fixture at UNAHA and National American Indian Housing Council events, offering his insight and expertise in his genial and friendly manner. Over many negotiated rulemaking sessions over the years, David has become the go to guy when tribal positions need clarification. HUD officials have learned that David does his homework and knows what he is talking about.

Maybe even more important to UNAHA is David’s tireless and never ending work on the All-West Classic Year around David is coordinating the committee, working with the Gold Star Foundation, the Ulmers and the scholarship program, the volunteers, the Tribes, UNAHA and anyone else needing accurate information regarding the Tournament. This year 95 teams, nearly 1000 young people participated in the event! I think it would be safe to say that without David, the tournament would not happen.

UNAHA and HUD NPONAP recognize your hard work and thank you for your commitment to Indian tribes in the Region.

2016 Summer Opportunities Project

Dear Tribal Leader,

Summer is on the way, and young people will soon be out of school and seeking access to positive summer experiences and opportunities, including employment and summer learning. This year, HUD is excited to be partnering with the White House on the 2016 Summer Opportunity Project—a call to action to expand summer learning, nutrition, and job opportunities across the country. Tribal communities are an important part of this effort, and our goal is to connect more than 100 native youth, ages 16–24, to summer employment and job-readiness opportunities by July 1, 2016!

HUD recognizes that your tribe may already be offering young people employment and job-readiness experiences this summer. Many tribes have developed internships, job shadowing days, or coordinated educational opportunities to expose young community members to positive role models and real work experiences.

HUD wants to remind you that federal resources are available to help young people in your communities.

· Youth.gov, the leading federal resource for preventing youth substance abuse and suicide, and providing federal funding opportunities for youth.

· Youth Connections, an online learning destination for staff and partners who serve youth.

· YouthBuild, a shared electronic space where grantees can exchange ideas, read and comment on blogs, and much more!

· YouthCareer Connect, a place where grantees can find valuable resources and share ideas and best practices.

· Reaching Tribal Youth through summer meal programs from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, bringing together Tribal Nations, stakeholders, and State agencies.

To highlight your efforts, I invite you to participate in the White House’s My First Job social media campaign by sending success stories from youth in your community to Lissette.Flores@hud.gov, with the subject line:“My First Job: [Your Tribe’s Name]”. HUD looks forward to sharing your stories throughout the summer.

Thank you for all of your efforts.

With much appreciation,

Lourdes Castro Ramírez

SAVE THE DATE!! The next UNAHA meeting is coming up this summer and will be held in Bismark, ND on August 4th. Details will be updated on our website as they come available.

Thank you to our Associate Members