Housing
The Chickasaw Nation is committed to providing quality housing for Chickasaws
across the United States.
The Chuka Chukmasi program was established in 1998 and provides assistance with the purchase or refinance of a home. Through this program, which is a collaborative effort between the Chickasaw Nation, PMI Mortgage, First Mortgage of Oklahoma City and Fannie Mae, more than 700 families across the United States have been able to purchase homes. Closing cost and down payment assistance are also available through the program.
To make the home loan process easier and help ease confusion associated with purchasing a home, housing counseling and loan services offer training programs on various topics, including family budgeting, maintenance and fire and home safety.
In FY 2008, 22 homeownership seminars were conducted and as a result, 180 counseling certificates were issued through the division. In addition, more than 130 one-on-one counseling sessions were conducted for citizens in the areas of budget, credit and foreclosure.
Other accomplishments:
- More than 740 Chickasaw families are currently receiving assistance through Chickasaw rental programs.
- During FY 2008, 26 new homes
were constructed under the homeowners program and 29 additional homes were
under construction. - In addition, more than 50 Chickasaw families became homeowners in FY 2008 through the homeowners program. Since the homeowner program’s inception, approximately 2,500 new homes have been constructed for Native American families.
- The storm shelter program provided 87 families with storm shelters during the year. Since the program began in 2003, more than 1,100 storm shelters have been installed for Chickasaw families.
- In addition, 45 driveways were completed for Chickasaw elders and families with special needs in FY 2008.
- The division of housing and tribal development also maintains rental properties throughout the Chickasaw Nation. In FY 2008, more than 3,400 work orders were performed on rental properties.
- Also, 300 private homes received maintenance through the homeowners maintenance program and three homes received handicap accessibility renovations.
- The division of housing and tribal development also manages commercial construction projects throughout the Chickasaw Nation. In FY 2008, nine commercial projects were completed including the sick child care center, government services building and the Duncan senior nutrition center.
- In addition, projects under construction include the McSwain Theatre, Chickasaw Cultural Center and the Douglas H. Johnston Education Building.