Coalition Welcomes New Specialist for Native American Housing

Editor’s Note: The Coalition recently welcomed Jenn Siegel to its staff. Jenn will be serving as the Native American Housing Specialist through her VISTA assignment. The following is Jenn’s introduction to the Coalition’s members:

As the Coalition’s newest VISTA Member, I will be working on housing/homeless issues with the reservations of northern Minnesota: White Earth, Leech Lake, Bois Forte, Red Lake, Fond du Lac, and Grand Portage.

Wilder Research Center will be conducting a companion study to their Statewide Homeless Survey – the Companion Study will look into the doubled-up situation on the reservations where cultural norms don’t allow for many people to meet HUD’s definition of homelessness.

According to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, American Indians are 6 times more likely to live in overcrowded or inadequate housing than the rest of the population; some cases of over-crowding mean that 18 or 25 people live under one roof.

Another contributing factor is the high poverty rates among Native Americans – not only is the housing over-crowded, but it is often substandard as well. The Wilder Companion Study will give advocates an idea of the numbers of housing units needed on the reservations.

I will also be working with the roundtable discussions that we’ve been holding with the housing and services providers from Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth. These discussions provide an opportunity for dialogue between State funders, technical assistance providers, and the housing experts on the reservation. For too long, Native Americans have been denied mainstream funding resources through Continuum of Care, Family Homeless Prevention, and OEO funding due to a misperception that they receive adequate housing resources through Native-specific funding streams.

To learn more about housing on the reservations, please consider attending the Native American Housing Issues session at the upcoming Annual Conference. Karen Diver, from Fond du Lac, will lead a discussion described as:

Indian Country is reeling from the intergenerational impact of wars, land thefts, boarding schools, alcoholism, racism, and oppression. We see the devastating effects of historical trauma in our youth and families everyday, but what is being done to fix it? American policies, practice and habits regarding Native American housing issues have led to a disproportionate number of homeless Native Americans in Minnesota and throughout the nation. How can we facilitate forgiveness and healing within our families and empower communities in crisis? Join us for a provocative discussion.

Please contact Jenn at (218) 744-2098 or jennlynnsiegel@yahoo.com.