Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner to sign permanent reauthorization of landmark Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act

WHAT:
Cherokee Nation leaders will gather to sign into law the permanent reauthorization of the tribe's landmark Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act pending Council approval on Sept. 26

WHEN:
Friday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m.

WHERE:
ᎦᎵᏦᏕ Galitsode Housing Addition
North Quatie Avenue
Tahlequah, Oklahoma

WHO:
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner
Cherokee Nation Cabinet
Council of the Cherokee Nation
Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation officials

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation leaders will gather at the tribe's new ᎦᎵᏦᏕ (Galitsode) Housing Addition to celebrate the permanent reauthorization of the tribe's landmark Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act on Friday, Sept. 27, pending approval by the Council of the Cherokee Nation during a special meeting Sept. 26.

In 2019, the Council of the Cherokee Nation enacted Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner's first Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act, which injected $30 million to boost the tribe's housing rehabilitation program and repair and remodel Cherokee community organization buildings. The Council approved amendments to the law in 2022, boosting HJSCA funds to $120 million, which included $60 million to build new homes.

The tribe so far has built 363 new homes, with more in the planning phases. Additionally the law has led to thousands of home repairs for low-income and elder Cherokee citizens.

The current law expires at the end of September 2025. With Council's pending approval Sept. 26 during a special meeting, the tribe will enact a permanent, expanded HJSCA and spend up to $40 million in three-year cycles, adopting plans to address housing and community building needs. Housing will command 85% of the spending, with 15% reserved for the tribe's sustainable communities portion of the program for community building improvement and construction.

Following the official signing of the legislation Friday, Cherokee Nation leaders will join Cherokee families who are receiving keys to their new homes inside the tribe's Galitsode Housing Addition. Nine families will move into their lease-to-own houses.