WINDOW ROCK — Over the past year, families have eagerly awaited new homes as aging houses—many dating back to before the Bennett Freeze era—have deteriorated, with hardened window seals and warping wood panels.
“Our families have waited long enough for safe, reliable housing,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. “We are committed to delivering homes that stand strong against the elements and restore dignity, security, and hope for our people.”
The Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office (NHLCO) has stepped up to ensure families living on Navajo Partitioned Lands and in the former Bennett Freeze area have access to safe, weather-resistant housing.
Under the American Rescue Plan Act, the Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office secured $17.1 million to build 96 homes. Of these, 84 homes under Work Order No. 1 are nearing delivery, while the remaining 12 homes under Work Order No. 2 are approximately 60 percent through site assessment.
To ensure long-term durability, construction crews begin with site preparation—removing organic material to prevent settling, grading the land to reduce water pooling, compacting and laying gravel, and installing pads and piers.
In rural areas, crews often face challenging terrain, with road washouts and sandy conditions requiring roads to be regraded, stabilized, or widened before 18-wheelers carrying oversized loads can pass.
To overcome these obstacles, NHLCO Director Sarah Slim works closely with local chapter leaders, delegates, and contractors to keep home deliveries on track.
In one instance, a delivery driver became stuck on a sandy roadway, causing the trailer tongue to tear off and require welding and repair.
Through the support of the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority, a heavy equipment dozer was deployed to stabilize and improve the road, allowing the home to be successfully delivered.
