By Adrian Villegas
Web & Communication Support Specialist

The Hoopa Valley Housing Authority is moving forward with the development of K’is Di Yu:n Ding (Elders’ Place), an Elders Housing Village intended to provide tribal elders with an equal opportunity to live independently in a safe, low-maintenance, comfortable, and accessible housing environment.

The project was developed in response to the growing tribal elder population and the responsibility of tribal government to provide stable and affordable housing. Many tribal elders currently live in Mutual Help homes built two or three decades ago, and as elders continue to age, maintaining three- or four-bedroom homes may become more difficult. Elders’ Place is also intended to assist elders with paperwork and successorship prior to transitioning from their Mutual Help homes, ensuring their wishes for their units are addressed.

Project Location and Design

Elders’ Place is being constructed on the former Alameda property, located approximately 200 yards north of the Hoopa Mini-Mart on the east side of Highway 96. The approximately 10.93-acre site was selected due to its central downtown location and proximity to essential services, including the local bank, grocery store, post office, and Hoopa Valley Housing Authority Administration offices.

The village is designed in a circular cluster format around a central Commons Building to better provide services to elderly tenants.

Housing Units and Features

The project includes 25 residential units and one central Commons Building. Housing options consist of:

• Five (5) single-family, two-bedroom / two-bathroom homes

• Ten (10) duplex buildings, each containing two one-bedroom / one-bathroom units

The project totals 19,905 square feet of residential space, with an additional 1,380 square feet in the Commons Building. All residential units, the Commons Building, and the surrounding site are designed to be accessible to tribal elders, with several units meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Buildings are insulated with R-49 ceilings and R-27 walls and include wood stoves and mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Units are plumbed for electrical and propane gas appliances and include walk-in showers, accessible sinks and toilets, accessible electrical switches and receptacles, and sufficient interior and exterior lighting. All buildings are equipped with solar panels and battery backup systems, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors, and are compliant with Wildland Urban Interface standards. Connectivity to Acorn Wireless Internet is also available as an option.

Planned amenities for the project include recreational areas, walking paths, community gardens, a canning area, smokehouse, fruit orchard, designated on-site areas for health care services, collaboration with the Tribal Education Department for language, crafts, and education, and a gated community.

Construction Progress and Timeline

Site work and civil infrastructure, including sewer, water, and electrical systems, are complete. Vertical construction is underway, with all residential units and the Commons Building weatherized.

Interior construction is progressing in phases. Six duplex units are scheduled to be ready for occupancy in July 2026, followed by additional duplex units in August and September 2026. The remaining units, including all five two-bedroom homes, are scheduled for occupancy in October 2026. The Commons Building is scheduled for completion in November 2026, with total project close-out expected in December 2026.

Site work and civil infrastructure are being completed by R Brown Construction Company, Inc., and vertical construction is being completed by Pacific Builder’s Construction Company.

Funding

K’is Di Yu:n Ding (Elders’ Place) is funded through Tribal ARPA funds, K’ima:w Medical Center, the HCD Regional Early Action Planning Grant, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program with Red Stone as the investor, and an Affordable Housing Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

Vision and Message from Project Leadership

Darcy Padilla, Executive Director of the Hoopa Valley Housing Authority, and Loren Norton, Project Manager, shared the following vision and mission for the project.

Vision:

“Meeting the housing needs of Tribal elders is a goal we hold in the highest regard. Our vision is to provide a safe, affordable, and easily accessible living space that requires minimal maintenance.”

Mission Statement:

“To help seniors navigate aging within a village-like setting while respecting their need for independence and self-reliance while still being appreciated as beacons of compassion, collaboration, longevity, reliability, and integrity.”

They also shared the guiding message for K’is Di Yu:n Ding (Elders’ Place):

Ni Wong-Xe Win-Te’ — “Always in a Good Way.”

Applications Now Open

The Hoopa Valley Housing Authority (HVHA) is currently accepting applications for K’is Di Yu:n Ding (Elders’ Place). Applications and additional information can be found on the HVHA website at www.hvha.us.

Looking Ahead

The Hoopa Valley Tribe and Hoopa Valley Housing Authority extend appreciation to Darcy Padilla, Executive Director, Loren Norton, Project Manager, and Hoopa Valley Housing Authority staff for their leadership and work on K’is Di Yu:n Ding (Elders’ Place). Thanks are also extended to R Brown Construction Company, Inc. for site and civil infrastructure work and Pacific Builder’s Construction Company for vertical construction.

The Tribe looks forward to the completion of Elders’ Place and the positive impact it will have for Tribal elders and the community.