HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, WHERE RDC FINISHED HEARING REPORT FROM NHA AND NOW RDC ASKING QUESTIONS OF NHA AND ALSO MAKING COMMENTS ON NHA REPORT.
NAVAJO HOUSING AUTHORITY CEO ANEVA YAZZIE
The NHA and other tribal housing entities sued the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and won its case in federal court in Denver. The federal judge ordered HUD to pay $6.1 million to NHA, which will be to Navajo Housing Authority in a month. HUD elevated notice to NHA to return $102 million in unspent federal housing funds awarded to NHA.
RDC VICE CHAIRPERSON ROSCOE SMITH
everthing you reported is “proposed.” Lease to Own: u reported that u have pple taking advantage of this and u mentioned private bank. but under trust lands, contract in paying, are u getting waiver? And there are pple that have paid off house but NHA not giving home owner their title cuz Bureau of Indian Affairs has not signed off on waiver regarding mortgage on trust lands. So are these “new” proposals or have been addressed? Some of the questions from RDC.
NHA CEO YAZZIE
public rental program and no more than 30 percent of applicant’s income but NHA reduced to 20 percent.
Mutual Help Home Onwerhsip Program: had 25 year base to own home.
In Oct. 1, 2014, the three new housing programs will be available to public.
Project Hope, rental until 30 years and then own home.
Shishighan is lease to purchase and buyer can reduced 30 years.
Third category is for higher income individuals to have bank finance. NHA would like to make loan. Conveyances are held by BIA cuz of trust land and until entire authority to release title is with tribe, then NHA and Navajo Nation have to wait. We hope to release titles once BIA signs off.
Paid off versus Occupancy question: Occupancy under NHA is valid duirng period of occupancy agreement, which is agreement between NHA and homebuyer that defines period of time that buyer pays off home. Once last payment made, then that unit is paid off and so difference between Occupancy and Paid Off. Title bundle then sent to president and then to BIA.
RDC VICE CHAIRPERSON ROSCOE SMITH
see interconnecting of dream of owning home and making investment and average commitment is 30 years to buy home so when pple enter into commitments, do they understqnd what they are getting into, especially trust land? These homeowners, who is leader? NHA, federal government?
NHA CEO YAZZIE
yes we counsel each and every person and we have navajo interpreters.
Who is lender? NHA will collect rent and lease payments. And if buyer is wanting to buy home but can’t get credit in place immediately, the buyer’s lease payments will go to buying of home.
RDC CHAIRPERSON KATHERINE BENALLY
We as oversight committee have not been involved in discussions between NHA, HUD and President Shelly which is “disrespectfully.” June 27 certified letter from HUD is not asking that we outright pay back, impose remedies. They are not saying that NHA has not done projects. They are saying that NHA has not done $96 million of work. HUD saying no federal housing funds in 2016. I’m asking if this HUD letter has been read into record. RDC also needs to acknowledge it. Maybe we need 2012 Housing Plan? what did we commit to build in 2012? Where are we on those? Why is HUD saying we are not spending except for $6. And HUD gives us about $85 million a year. We can’t fight for you or for you. You are leaving RDC in the dark and maybe because we hold enterprises accountable. But we want accountability cuz we want answers.
The amount of money identified in HUD letter is depriving the peple of $96 million of homes. So you need to come straight with us. That is the only solution I see.
YOu didn’t get anywhere with President Shelly or delegates. HUD is just pushing you, pushing you. If NHA has stayed with oversight committee, RDC, then there would have been a solution.
