Recently, Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Chairman Brandon Sazue Sr. joined USDA Rural Development Acting Housing Director Bruce Jones and Lori Moen, Chief Operating Officer for GROW South Dakota (GROW) in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that will streamline the process towards increased homeownership on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. “What we do today can make a difference for tomorrow. By working together, we support the betterment of our Tribe as we know housing is much needed on our Reservation” said Chairman Sazue Sr.
“This agreement encourages increased collaboration and efficiency in the process for residents to possibly achieve the dream of homeownership,” said South Dakota Rural Development State Director Elsie Meeks. Members of Crow Creek Sioux Tribe who are interested in purchasing a home can work through the Crow Creek Housing Authority and GROW to complete a pre-qualification packet regarding their ability to purchase a home and eligibility for homeownership through the USDA Rural Development Direct Home Loan Program.
Acting as a local point of contact, Crow Creek Housing Authority (CCHA) coordinates additional technical assistance based on eligibility, readiness and direction for homeownership. “This partnership furthers our mission to increase housing services for our low and middle income families. We look forward to working with GROW and assisting our rural residents through the direct loan process,” said Ronnette Kirkie-Walton, Acting Director of the Crow Creek Housing Authority.
GROW is a USDA national loan packager through a Rural Housing Service pilot program and offers housing and business services across the state. Lori Moen, GROW, “We have a wonderful partnership with USDA and with this agreement, we can increase homeownership; the CCHA is the key to making the process successful.”
USDA recently included South Dakota as a StrikeForce state and the MOU is one way of furthering StrikeForce economic development goals.