Cherokees break ground for Redbird Smith Estates

In about a year, 12 Cherokee families will benefit from a new brick home in Sallisaw complete with modern day conveniences, the internet, a safe room and park, with nearby access to Sallisaw High School and Redbird Smith Health Care Center.

On Wednesday, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner, Sequoyah County Dist. 6 Cherokee Councilman Daryl Legg and other tribal, housing and local officials gathered at the site to break ground where the new homes, along with eight duplexes will be built. Construction is expected to begin in about two to three months and will be completed in about a year, Todd Enlow, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation, said.

The site, where the groundbreaking was held under chilly weather conditions, is located indirectly across from Redbird Smith Health Care Center and adjacent to People Inc. on J.T. Sites Boulevard.

According to tribal officials, the new neighborhood will be named Redbird Smith Estates. The project is expected to include 12 homes and eventually the tribe will build eight duplexes to be rented to qualified applicants. The 16-acre housing addition, has a total of 33 lots for future expansion as needs increase, Cherokee officials said in a statement.

The formal ceremony for the groundbreaking Wednesday morning began with flute music provided by Cherokee National Treasure Tommy Wildcat, followed with remarks from Hoskin, Warner, Legg and Shawn Slaton, Sr. Vice President of Asset Management, CNB. “In 2019 when Deputy Chief Warner and I signed the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act, we knew how much of a need affordable Cherokee Housing was,” Hoskin said.

“Though we were able to help countless Cherokees with homes and other housing needs when we first signed the act, we knew that we needed to continue to do more. That’s why in 2022, we expanded the act with an additional $120 million. This expansion not only allows us to build this addition in Sallisaw but will help build countless homes for Cherokees in need across our reservation. I’m extremely proud of the work the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation has done and am excited for more work to come.”

During his remarks, Hoskin said Councilman Legg “championed” the historic housing legislation when the act was reaffirmed in 2022.

“I can’t remember the last time there were houses built for Cherokee families in Sallisaw. I believe it was the Sam Ed Bush Housing Addition,” Legg said.

“Affordable and safe housing is needed in Sallisaw and I’m so excited these 12 homes are coming to my community,” Legg said. “These homes will be such an enhancement for the Cherokee population in Sallisaw. I’m excited for everyone who will get to live in these new homes once they’re complete.

“This housing project will not only benefit the Cherokee families who will be living there but also the schools and with the new veterans center opening soon, jobs will become available and people will be needing homes,” he said.

Warner, who lives in Sallisaw, said, “It’s always a great day when we can celebrate Cherokee families getting new homes. I’m especially proud of this new housing addition that will be going right here in my hometown. These homes will be such a blessing to those who live here and will bring safety and comfort for them. It’s such a blessing to be here and witness the way these families’ lives will change once it’s complete.”

The 12 new homes in Sallisaw to be built are part of the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation’s New Construction Homeownership Program. The homes will be utilized by Cherokee families who applied and were on the waiting list for housing but do not own land.

Each home in the new addition will include three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. Measurements for the homes will range from 1,745 square feet to 1,844 square feet with low-cost maintenance features and brick siding. Each home will also include a closet constructed with hardened walls to serve as a storm shelter.

According to additional information provided by Cherokee Nation, as part of the “reauthorized” Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act signed into law in 2022, Cherokee Nation is dedicating a total of $600 million for constructing new homes which will shorten wait times for applicants to the tribe’s New Construction Homeownership Program. Another $30 million is dedicated to low-income housing rehabilitation or home replacement and low-income emergency housing rehab, primarily for elders and citizens with disabilities.

Cherokee Nation has also repaired or replaced over 4,000 homes for Cherokee citizens since 2019.

Included also in the funding is $4 million for new, low-income housing rental units, $4 million for building or expanding villages for fluent Cherokee speakers, $10 million for crisis shelters for homeless citizens or victims of domestic violence, $7 million to continue sustainability grants for Cherokee community organizations and buildings and $5 million for land acquisition and development for housing projects.