(Bobby Ahern, a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs member and senior policy advisor for natural resources for Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, and Madison Moskowitz, the domestic economic policy advisor for Wyden’s office, accept the Transformative Initiative of the Year award on behalf of the Warm Springs Housing Authority | Photo courtesy of Travois)
The Warm Springs Housing Authority (WSHA) was recently honored for its efforts to reimagine affordable housing opportunities for members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon.
At the 23rd Annual Travois Indian Country Affordable Housing and Economic Development Conference in Washington, D.C., the Warm Springs Housing Authority won Transformative Initiative of the Year during the Travois Superhero Awards ceremony. The award is given to a team demonstrating exemplary work on a rehabilitation project or revitalization effort in a Native community.
“The Warm Springs Housing Authority is truly honored to receive the Superhero Award. This award was the result of the collective diligence, hard work and expertise of everyone at WSHA and Travois,” WSHA Executive Director Danielle Wood said. “The transformation of these housing units has uplifted the look of the neighborhood and created a safe living environment for many families.”
The Warm Springs Housing Authority is rehabilitating 18 homes at two sites on the Warm Springs Reservation, many of which had been vacant for several years. The project features updates to interior finishes and layouts, energy-efficient building envelopes and systems, a new laundry and storage building, and additional bedrooms to accommodate larger families.
The rehabilitation project is funded through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and Oregon Housing and Community Services grant programs.
“Warm Springs is experiencing a housing crisis. There are not enough homes for the families in the community, which results in many families living in overcrowded and substandard conditions,” Wood said. “Being able to provide an additional 18 affordable and energy-efficient housing units has been a gift to our community. Seeing the joy and smiles on families faces as they enter their new home was all the reward that we needed.”
Travois, a Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting housing and economic development with American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, presents Superhero Awards in seven categories: Housing Professional of the Year, Economic Development Professional of the Year, Pillar of the Year, Haven of the Year, Project Team of the Year, Groundbreaking Team of the Year and Transformative Initiative of the Year.
“It’s a pleasure to recognize the hard work of our colleagues each year. Each award highlights the incredible persistence and creativity needed to make a difference in a community,” Travois CEO Elizabeth Glynn said. “I’m so happy to share their stories and hope it inspires others in Indian Country to pursue their big plans, too.”
2023 Superheroes:
Housing Professional of the Year: Francisco “Chico” Carr, Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority and Laguna Housing Development & Management Enterprise
Economic Development Professional of the Year: Dennis Johnson, CEO of Ho-Chunk Capital
Pillar of the Year: Rolando Jaimez, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Housing Department
Haven of the Year: Angela Stanley, Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Housing
Project Team of the Year: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Groundbreaking Team of the Year: The Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
Transformative Initiative of the Year: Warm Springs Housing Authority
For more information, contact Travois at 816-994-8970 or comm@travois.com.
About the Low Income Housing Tax Credit:
The housing credit provides the private sector with an incentive to invest in affordable rental housing for families with low incomes. Since President Reagan signed it into law in 1986, the housing credit has financed the construction and preservation of more than 3.7 million affordable homes nationwide. Today, it produces virtually all new affordable housing and is the nation’s primary tool for preserving existing affordable housing. The housing credit supports families with low incomes, veterans, people with disabilities and seniors in rural, suburban, urban and Tribal communities.
About Travois:
Travois is a Certified B Corporation focused exclusively on promoting housing and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Since 1995, Travois has brought investor equity to more than 250 developments in 23 states through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, making an impact of more than $1.8 billion across Indian Country. These private investor funds have helped build or rehabilitate over 6,100 homes and have helped finance critical economic developments, including infrastructure, health care, community centers, education facilities and job incubators. The Travois family of companies also offers architectural design, construction monitoring services, consulting on green energy improvements, asset management and compliance services and comprehensive training to clients.
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