FINLEY — New homes have arrived for Big Valley Rancheria tribal members, and are perched atop cinder blocks along Soda Bay Road in Finley awaiting installation. When they will be ready for their already selected occupants to move in is another question, according to tribal officials.
The tribe contracted with Executive Homes of Chico for the purchase of the pre-fabricated homes, which arrived beginning in early November. Eight have arrived so far; the last two are expected this week or next, said Housing Director Linda Hedstrom, for a total of 10.
The 10 are part of a project a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing project going in off of Soda Bay Road on Yellow Hammer Lane, and will be leased long-term to the tribal members selected by lottery to occupy them.
These 10 make the second in a succession of three for the Big Valley Pomo, said Hedstrom. The last, also HUD-funded, consisted of six architect-designed stick homes constructed by Origin Construction out of Mendocino.
Another two-house project is planned for the area, and awaits approved funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to clear “environmental red tape,” said Hedstrom. The environmental review underway is expected to go through “at any time.”
She said the projects are a product of Tribal Chair Anthony Jack and the tribal government making housing a priority for the tribe. “We have such huge housing needs among the tribal members,” said Hedstrom. “They”re trying to regather the tribal members.”
Tribal Administrator David Smith said recently that when a housing project goes in, half of the housing goes to tribal elders. The rest are selected based on income. Hedstrom estimated that “the vast majority of households are income ellegible.”
Ground was prepared on the site in mid-October, and the homes” foundations will be constructed under them where they sit. While noting that the construction is scheduled to be completed the the end of February, Hedstrom said they are “ahead of schedule.”
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
