GALLUP, N.M. — On October 24, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined leaders from the Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF), Navajo Nation Division of Community Development, community members, and partners to break ground on a major housing and workforce development expansion project.
The project represents a significant investment in the Navajo Nation’s ability to build homes for Navajo families, including veterans. Since 1998, SWIF has constructed more than 250 homes across the Navajo Nation, averaging 10 to 12 homes each year. With this expansion, that number is projected to triple, reaching up to 36 to 40 homes annually.
At the heart of this effort is the development of a new 30,000-square-foot modular home construction and training facility located along Coal Carbon Road in Gallup. This new facility will replace the existing 14,000-square-foot warehouse and provide the capacity to build eight homes at a time. It will also allow SWIF to store materials more efficiently, reduce costs, and increase the speed of construction.
The expansion will create up to 50 full-time positions at SWIF, along with approximately 30 additional contractor jobs in areas such as plumbing and electrical work. The new site will also include classroom and lab spaces to support workforce training programs for local residents and military trainees.
The project is funded in part by a $6 million grant awarded in November 2023. Over the next three years, SWIF has committed to producing 60 homes for Navajo Nation veterans, in addition to homes for families through other housing programs.
This expansion marks a major step toward improving housing access and creating sustainable jobs, reflecting a long-term vision to strengthen Navajo communities from within. President Nygren remains committed to supporting partnerships that build a stronger Navajo Nation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.