FALL, 2005
By Karen Breedlove, Housing Program
Specialist
The gift of giving. We all know how
good it feels to give. How does the old saying go “it is
far better to give than it is to receive” I feel that
this statement truly reflects the nature of the Sierra Service
Project (SSP). For the
past 4 years we have received a major gift
from a group of young individuals that paid their own way to
travel to this reservation from all over the United States to
share their gift of giving.
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Unfortunately all good things must come to
end, after years of traveling to this community to assist our
tribal members with minor repairs to their homes the SSP has to
move on to other reservations that could benefit
from their aid. I have had the
distinct privilege of working with SSP to help coordinate with
their staff in the application process and familiarizing them
with the valley and the locations of the homes they would be
working on. This year a total of 349 teenagers visited
the valley throughout a 7 week period in which that time 7
dedicated staff members prepared for each and every one
of their arrival.
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Planning their next project.
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It's pretty amazing that these young adults
(teens) raised their own donations and fees to travel here and
use the money for materials to help rehab the homes, in all
$11,550.00 was donated. They found it very fortunate to
have both a local lumberyard and hardware store within 15
minutes of their worksites. During the time that they
were here this year they were able to serve approximately 30
homes, which is pretty amazing considering that there were 50
applications and 7 weeks to get the work done.
The community as a whole was extremely
welcoming of the SSP staff and campers. They were both
recognized and thanked nearly everywhere they went, and home
owner interactions with campers were at a
premium. Much of the graciousness of the tribe, the town,
and the people can be directly attributed to SSP's good rapport
from long standing
involvement, quality workmanship and
dedication to community members.
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Repairing the roof on Betty
Britton’s home.
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Reflecting back the Round Valley Indian
Tribes and the Round Valley Indian Housing Authority greatly
appreciate the time, dedication and genuine compassion of the
Sierra Service Project with respect and
gratitude we thank you.
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A new staircase for a tribal
elder’s porch.
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By Rema Lincoln
The most commonly cited definition of a
homeless person is from Section 11302 of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act. That Act defines a homeless
person as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and
adequate night-time residence in a shelter, welfare hotel,
transitional program or place not ordinarily used as regular
sleeping accommodations, such as streets, cars, and movie
theaters, abandoned buildings, etc. People in jail are not
homeless.
Causes of homelessness commonly cited by
researchers, government agencies and advocates include: lack of
affordable housing; poverty; low-paying jobs and labor market
changes; unemployment; mental illness; substance abuse; changes
in family structure; prison release; chronic health problems;
and lack of access to affordable health care.
The Round Valley Indian Housing Authority's
Rental Assistance program is currently in the 2nd reading of
the Homeless Assistance Policy. Our program goals include
the following:
1. To provide a payment for, the rental of a hotel/motel or
other housing dwelling when required to secure temporary or
permanent housing up to $2000.00.
2. To assist the homeless family with $2000.00 for motel
lodging for approximately 30 days, not to exceed $2000.00
amount.
To be eligible for assistance, tribal
member must be in good standings with the Round Valley Indian
Housing Authority. Must have the ability and means
necessary to maintain itself in the permanent housing for at
least 6 months, once the assisted is expended.
We are in the process of developing
criteria which may allow us to serve tribal members who are
forced to live in a multiply family dwelling, due to
circumstances beyond their control. Examples include: loss of
job at no fault of their own, unable to support self due to
chronic or terminal illness, other criteria is being developed.
As Tribal members living on or off the
reservation, we do not see many Native Americans homeless as
defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. We
have family members who are willing to take us into their home.
By developing this policy the Round Valley Indian Housing
Authority is trying to utilize the funds available in the best
way to assist our tribal members.
Should you have any ideas, or other ways we
may put our resources to best fit the needs of our people.
Please feel free to contact 707-983-6188 ext. 30.
