Construction Completed for 24 New Homes in District 4

August 19, 2022

Kyle Knox

Managing Editor

Tuesday, Aug. 16, marked the first of 24 new home turnovers for the families in District 4 at the George Webb Village Subdivision.  Micael Bennett and his family were the first to receive the keys to their new four-bedroom home built with the most up-to-date energy-efficient amenities.  

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, Lt. Gov. Monica Antone, GRIC Community Council Representatives, and members of the GRIC Home Owner’s Team (HOT) were all present for the occasion. 

“Every turnover of a home means another one of our families will have a quality home built in coordination with all of our departments completed and a return home within the Community,” said Gov. Lewis. He added, “Regardless of the disruptions of COVID and lack of housing materials we persisted and it’s significant to see our first home turned over and something we are proud to see.”

After a ribbon cutting, District 4 Community Council Representative Christopher Mendoza provided congratulatory remarks to Bennett before handing over the keys to the home.

“After waiting 26 years, I’m happy to finally have a home to come home to in the Community, it’s a very nice house and has a lot of nice qualities to it,” said Bennett.  Though it took some time to build the home, Bennett advises everyone to apply for a house as soon as possible and to “be patient” as home completion dates vary. 

“It’s a long time coming for these homes and turning over this home today is a blessing, having completed the 24 homes in District 4 after two years of construction,” said Howard Reno of GRIC Tribal Projects and member of the HOT.  “This shows the Community that we’re moving and making progress by turning over all the homes.”

Community Housing has faced challenges and delays in the completion of the newest homes in District 4 and elsewhere due to the pandemic and past contractor issues.  Most recently, the economy and external factors forced shortages of materials to the complete homes. In one instance, the original contractor for this round of homes transitioned out of service requiring two new contractors.

“It’s such a relief to know that these families, who have been waiting years, now have a home to come to back, in the Community,” said Lt. Gov. Antone.  “Today is a huge milestone for me to see these homes complete, so it’s a long-awaited fulfillment to see this day.”