The Colville Indian Housing Authority (CIHA) dedicated the first of 25 new homes in the White Buffalo Meadows Colville Homes #1 Development in Nespelem, Washington on August 28th, 2008. CIHA used a combination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) allocated by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, HUD Indian Housing Block Grant, and Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Affordable Housing Program dollars to finance the project. Fifteen of the units were set aside for large households, disabled, and homeless.

Colville Tribal Elder, Ms. Joanne RedThunder (left) cuts the ribbon to her new home with CIHA Executive Director, Elena Bassett (right).

Elena L. Bassett joined the CIHA as Executive Director in October 2006, when the project was completing Phase 1: Infrastructure and street entrance. Dale Schrock, Capital Improvements Manager, was continuously involved in the project since its inception. He was instrumental in monitoring the $5.5M project during all phases of planning, development, and construction. CIHA approved a Master Plan in June 2003 for the entire 40 acre leased property for future development of multi-family
units, single family units, apartments, park, and four-plexs. CIHA started with the development of 6.4 acres for the White Buffalo Meadows project. Construction of the two, three, and four bedroom homes, ranging in size between 1037 and 1560 square feet, was completed by Colville family and tribal member-owned Tomco Construction. Solar panels, donated by Travois, were installed on one energy-efficient demonstration home.

Elena Bassett (left) with NwONAP Grants Management Specialist, Bill Trombley at the Colville Homes #1 site

Lengthy applications were accepted from eligible tribal members while financial literacy classes were held to give tenants the additional opportunity to understand housing-to- income ratio, monthly debt, and setting financial goals. The rental families will be given the opportunity to become homebuyers after 15 years.

Contact Information:
Elena Bassett, Executive Director, Colville Indian Housing Authority. (509) 634-4767, elena.bassett@colvilletribes.com