The Homeownership Express Visits the Paiute Tribe of Utah

Shilo Parashonts performing a traditional Paiute dance

HUD Assistant Secretary Michael Liu and Lora Tom, Tribal Chairwoman of the Paiute Tribe at the podium

The Homeownership Express visited the Paiute Tribe of Utah, in Cedar City on June 24, 2003. The national bus tour delivered information about housing counseling, downpayment assistance, flexible mortgage financing and other homeownership resources to tribal members and local citizens.

Under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), funds are made available to Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE's) for affordable housing activities. In 2003, NAHASDA was funded in the amount of $649 million. Out of this national fund, the Utah Paiute's tribal Housing Authority received $1,644,000 this year to be used in its pursuit of affordable housing for Tribal members.

The Tribe has identified a current need to assist 120 households in achieving homeownership. Last year the Tribe provided five households with homeownership assistance and is committed to continue providing down payment assistance to qualified homebuyers. The Tribe has committed through its NAHASDA Indian Housing Plan to work with Rural Development and other programs to provide homeownership opportunities for tribal members.

John K. Carson, Regional Director for Region VIII, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event and introduced Michael M. Liu, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. Assistant Secretary Liu provided the Keynote Address during the event. He spoke of the need for increasing homeownership opportunities for minorities throughout the Country; especially Native American's who, on average, have not achieved significant levels of homeownership.

Dwight Peterson, Field Office Director for Utah, and Kelly Jorgensen, Operations Specialist assisted in coordinating the event. Other speakers at the ceremony included Gerald R. Sherratt, Mayor of Cedar City, Arthur Richards, Tribal Elder, and Travis Parashouts, Cedar Band Chairman and Tribal Council Member and homebuyer. Shilo and Shalyee Parashonts, entertained the crowd performing a traditional Paiute Dance.

Content Archived: April 5, 2011