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    Yee Ha’ólníi Doo Receives $1 Million to Expand Navajo Housing Relief Efforts

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    An elderly Navajo man, Charley Billy, smiles outside his home, which recently received renovations through Yee Ha'ólníi Doo's 'Owner-Occupied Housing Health and Safety' initiative. The improvements include a newly built access ramp and a new roof. Previously, the homeowner struggled with unsafe steps and lacked a handrail, leading to a fall last year, and relied on neighbor assistance for roof repairs. The initiative is funded by the Arizona Department of Housing, providing critical support to vulnerable households in Northern Arizona.
    An elderly Navajo man, Charley Billy, smiles outside his home, which recently received renovations through Yee Ha'ólníi Doo's 'Owner-Occupied Housing Health and Safety' initiative. The improvements include a newly built access ramp and a new roof. Previously, the homeowner struggled with unsafe steps and lacked a handrail, leading to a fall last year, and relied on neighbor assistance for roof repairs. The initiative is funded by the Arizona Department of Housing, providing critical support to vulnerable households in Northern Arizona.

    TÓ NANEESDIZÍ, DINÉTAH, (TUBA CITY, NAVAJO NATION)- Yee Ha’ólníi Doo has received an additional $1 million from the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), to expand its “Owner-Occupied Housing Health and Safety” and energy initiative, which serves Navajo families on the Navajo Reservation portion of Arizona within Apache, Coconino, and Navajo Counties. This funding, combined with a one-year contract extension, brings the program’s total investment to $3 million, enabling continued critical home repairs and the integration of vital energy improvements.

    Since its launch in January 2024, the “Owner-Occupied Housing Health and Safety” and energy initiative has received applications from over 149 Navajo families and completed 66 home rehabilitation projects across 35 different Navajo chapters within Apache, Coconino, and Navajo counties.  These vital improvements, ranging from roof repairs, exterior siding and painting, interior renovations, and essential electrical and foundation repairs, directly address housing issues like overcrowding, substandard conditions, and lack of basic amenities in the vast, often-remote rural areas of the Navajo Nation. This initiative has also resulted in the creation of five jobs.

    “This additional funding from ADOH is a testament to the success of our ‘Owner-Occupied Housing Health and Safety’initiative and will allow us to reach even more families in need across the Navajo Nation,” said Mary Francis, Interim Executive Director of Yee Ha’ólníi Doo. “Safe and healthy homes are fundamental to the well-being of our communities, and we are deeply grateful for this continued partnership.”

    Collaborative partnerships with local contractors strengthen Yee Ha’ólníi Doo’s work.  Several key partners, including Scott Construction, Rocket Builds, LCR Whippoorwill ARPA Crew, Kay Construction, Americorp, and JH Burbank Electric help deliver these vital services.

    Vera Kee, a resident of Whippoorwill, Arizona in Navajo County, and beneficiary of the housing program, expressed her gratitude. “The moment I saw work begin on my home after nearly seven years of waiting was exciting.  The housing program team’s support was quick and efficient.  It helped us a lot.  I’m excited to have a new home now which has improved our living situation for my spouse, our children and six grandchildren!”

    Kee’s home received extensive repairs through the initiative, which included crucial foundation work, framing, sheathing, and a complete roof replacement. Yee Ha’ólníi Doo, in collaboration with Whippoorwill ARPA Crew and Chinle Americorp collaborated to install roof trusses, underlayment, shingles, and ridge caps, as well as interior insulation and drywall. JH Burbank Electric provided updated electrical wiring, ensuring the home is now compliant with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) standards.

    “ADOH values our partnership with Yee Ha’olnii Doo, and through the leadership of our Community Development & Revitalization Administrator Kathy Blodgett, we are proud to provide this critical assistance to vulnerable households in Navajo communities in Northern Arizona,” said ADOH Interim Director Ruby Dhillon-Williams.

    Arizona State Senator Theresa Hatathlie, Legislative District 6, stated, “Diné foundational teachings include reverence for our home. Your home is divine; it is a divine place to raise a family, and with prayers and songs, you shall one day have a capable, independent, and intelligent adult to send out into the world. With this in mind, I will continue to work to expand home restorations and increase affordable housing for families throughout my district.

    As Arizona continues to face a housing crisis, which has disproportionately impacted tribal communities, I am proud to deliver this additional $1 million appropriation from the Arizona Legislature.  For more than a year, Yee Ha’ólníí Doo has diligently conducted vital housing assistance on tribal lands, optimizing labor resources and leveraging funds to help disabled, elderly, multi-generational, and low-income households resolve unmet housing needs.

    It is with great appreciation that I thank Governor Hobbs, and the Arizona Department of Housing for their support in disseminating these critical funds”, said Arizona State Senator Theresa Hatathlie, Legislative Dist. 6, Coalmine Mesa, AZ.  ” I am deeply grateful for Yee Ha’ólníí Doo’s unwavering dedication in achieving this effort.  Their commitment to give back and elevate your community has been the beacon for many relatives.”

    Note: Yee Ha’ólníi Doo is an independent nonprofit organization and does not represent any tribal government.

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