ROCK SPRINGS, N.M. — Speaker Seth Damon of the 24th Navajo Nation Council was recently joined on July 26 by President Jonathan Nez, Vice President Myron Lizer, Navajo Housing Authority Chief Executive Officer Maureen Curley, NHA Chief Operations Officer Dwayne Waseta, Board of Commissioner Tammy Yazzie, and local community leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony for ten new housing units to be constructed at Rock Springs Chapter.
Arviso Construction of Iyanbito, N.M., is working with Dyron Murphy Architects on the project’s first phase. The public rental units will be two-bedroom apartments for couples, smaller families, and the elderly from the region. One home will also meet the ADA regulations for a person with disabilities and is wheelchair accessible.
“Rock Springs Chapter has taken over seven years to make this day a reality. I believe the Navajo Housing Authority can rebuild homes and neighborhoods during this pandemic. Working together and after countless meetings, ten new homes will be located in this community for our families to thrive and build a life here. The Navajo Nation Council commends all those involved for their leadership as we break ground to begin construction for this much-needed housing project,” Damon (Bááhaalí, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, Tséyatoh) said.
Working on the project since 2015, Damon expressed appreciation for Legislative District Assistant Lester Yazzie and recognized the tireless work of Brian Reid, Earl Tulley, and the late Victor McCray.
“This project will begin next week with our contractors from Arviso Construction, a Navajo-owned company. There are also plans to build more homes at the Rock Springs Chapter. Constructing new homes for the Navajo people that last a lifetime is an essential task for the Navajo Housing Authority. We look forward to working with the Navajo Nation Council and the Executive Branch to complete more projects,” CEO Maureen Curley said.
According to the NHA, the Rock Springs community has around 41 acres of land ready for new development in the future. Additionally, about 88 acres are available at the Bááhaalí Chapter, 160 acres at the Red Rock Chapter, and 144 acres of land at the Manuelito Chapter for new construction.
“It is an honor and a historic day to be with the Rock Springs community. These ten public rental units are just the first phase of our larger vision for the Navajo Nation. Building new homes and NHA neighborhoods begin at the grassroots level with the support of the communities we serve. Thinking ahead, these houses and apartment units will become a home for those who need it most,” Commissioner Terry Yazzie said.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that around 60,000+ new homes would need to be built to sufficiently meet the growing needs of the Navajo people. The Navajo Housing Authority is working on 50+ housing projects across the Navajo Nation in the next year.
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