TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation leaders joined community members Thursday to celebrate the opening of the new ᎦᎵᏦᏕ Galitsode (House) Housing Addition in Tahlequah.
The Galitsode community is a 23-acre subdivision with 24 new homes constructed by funding from the historic Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act from Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. The act was reauthorized in 2022 with an expanded $120 million budget.
The entire 23-acre site will be developed with a total of 50 lots with room to expand in the future. Fourteen of the first 24 homes will begin the move-in process.
“We’re currently seeing the benefits of years of hard work done together,” said Chief Hoskin Jr. “The housing crisis our area is facing hurts everyone, emotionally and economically. When people are struggling under soaring rents it becomes more difficult to actualize their dreams and personal goals. I’m proud to make strides to overcome this issue. More people will be able to enjoy beautiful and secure housing.”
The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation will offer these homes under a lease-to-own model with the New Construction Home Ownership Program. The Cherokee families who applied for new housing but did not own land moved into the units.
“Celebrating with the families is always special to me,” said Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. “Fourteen families will be able to flourish starting today. We see that housing is a complicated issue to overcome. We have friends and specialists who continue to help us reduce the barrier to housing. This subdivision has much more room for growth, so hopefully I’ll be back soon to celebrate with more families.”
Various ADA-compliant floor plans are available, and the units are between 1,745 and 1,844 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage.
“Safe and affordable housing gives families so much more than simply a place to live,” said District 2 Councilor Dr. Candessa Tehee. “A home is a place where dreams begin, and I am so proud to support legislation that opens home ownership for so many Cherokees.”
Amenities include a storm shelter, sidewalks, fiber optic internet, generator connectivity and playground access for children. The playground and nearly two miles of sidewalks are funded through Cherokee Nation’s Public Health and Wellness Fund Act.
“It’s hard to find the words to describe how I’m feeling,” said Anita Roastingear, a resident in the newly constructed housing addition. “I’m just so thankful for everyone’s hard work. Thank you.”
Galitsode was designed by Blue River Architects and Wallace Engineering. Construction was done by Builders Unlimited, Inc. The playground was installed by Happy Playgrounds, a TERO vendor. The Cherokee Nation Businesses Construction team also assisted building the subdivision. Fiber optic for each unit is provided by Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC).