Housing groups meet at Vee Quiva

February 17, 2017

Roberto A. Jackson

Gila River Indian News

Tribal Housing representatives from the Southwest met at the Vee Quiva Hotel and Casino on Feb. 7 for the Southwest Office of Native American Programs Annual Roundtable meeting.

The former Southwest Indian Tribal Housing Association, separated into two groups the Southwest Indian Tribal Housing Association, which covers Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and the Nevada/California Indian Housing Association and for the first time both organizations met with Housing and Urban Development.

“We want to develop stronger partnerships, open communication and make the Southwest as outstanding as it could possibly be for Indian Country,” said Carolyn O’Neil, Administrator, HUD, Southwest Office of Native American Programs.

The meeting was also a chance for the members of each group to network and collaborate.

“These meetings are very informative in identifying best practices in Indian Country with meeting housing needs,” said Laurie Thomas, Deputy Director, Department of Community Housing.

O’Neil also said they were going to discuss how to operate under the Trump administration.

“We need to work together because we just don’t know what to expect,” said O’Neil.