SUPERVISORS AND APR FORMULATION PROCESS PREPARES TEAM NHA FOR 2026 IHP - 09-18-24

GALLUP—Navajo Housing Authority management and executives convened from Sept. 9-13, at the Hilton Garden Inn for the Annual Performance Report evaluation process.

Staff from housing management offices and housing maintenance met with leadership to iron out issues for the fiscal year 2026 Indian Housing Plan and the APR reporting requirements that are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on an annual basis.

Day one featured presentations from Chief Administrative Officer Terrilynn Cook, Chief Financial Officer Raymond Nopah, Chief Operating Officer Ernest Franklin, grants manager Nellie Gilmore, treasury manager Leah Lowley, fiscal coordinator Cherie Billiman, grants analyst LeahRae Francisco, and grants analyst Cheryl James.

During Nopah’s overview on the importance of process planning in managing for compliance, performance, and impact, he said now is the time for action and expending funds for 2025.

“We’re issuing a letter to all the offices to look at 2025 expenditures,” he said. “We always wait until July, August, and September to spend.”

Reporting on how NHA served the Navajo people, the number of homes constructed, and the amount of funding spent are important components of the process, he explained.

He lauded the new construction of apartments in Window Rock as a major accomplishment for NHA, especially since they are intended for high income families.

Cook said returning to the basics and providing training to staff will be crucial in this year’s funding cycle and IHP implementation.

Streamlining services for efficiency and eliminating unnecessary paperwork is another important aspect she said, adding that standard operating procedures must also be trimmed down to make processes easier.

“Spread the message and update the staff about some of the changes that are happening rapidly,” she said. “You know what your critical priorities are.”

The alignment of one-year and five-year plans for NHA departments need to be aligned with the four pillars of NHA – Meet IHP Planned Expenditures, Optimize Internal Functions, Maintain HUD Compliance, and Strengthen Partnerships – if the organization is to be successful in eliminating audit findings.

Performance expectations will be gauged in the new fiscal year, including knowledge of benchmarks, and proper planning.

An NHA vendor forum is currently being planned, she said, because there are challenges with bringing contractors onboard with the company.

“The market is saturated and bonding limits are being met. What are other contractor opportunities with other entities?” she asked.

Finding solutions to these issues will add to NHA’s APR.

Franklin said the number one priority for NHA is the IHP, especially since expenditures have increased. Number two is partnership and finding priority one contractors to undertake NHA construction projects.

The glut of ARPA projects has stymied the market as bonding limits have been reached with Navajo companies working on projects for Indian Health Services, Navajo Nation, and NTUA.

“HUD prefers establishing partnerships and we’ve talked to NECA for some of the flood work for street repairs and horizontal work,” he said. “They’re trying to get to the vertical part of putting up houses, but they’re still understaffed.”

Leveraging resources like Native Partnership for Housing’s new construction division and utilizing outside tribal entities such as Alaskans, Utes, and Blackfeet will help maintain steady draw down of Line of Credit Control System funding. Reducing the Undisbursed Fund Factor is another major component of success, Franklin added.

The annual housing inspections conducted by housing management offices starts the process, followed by short and long-range planning for NHA.

"We have a lot of projects going,” he said.

CEO Heather L. Duncan-Etsitty presented on the second day and asked the room, “How can we best benefit NHA?”

Staffing and the tour of duty is vital in this effort she said, adding that employee performance evaluations are due in mid-October and that now is the time to prepare.

Housing management meetings with housing maintenance must be completed to address issues such as vacant units and utilities. Management functionality and hostile work environment are other issues that must be addressed, she said.

The continuation of work into the new fiscal year is another initiative, she said, because work involving purchase requisitions and purchase orders cannot cease for seven weeks because of current policies.

“We need to continue work into the next fiscal year instead of being stagnant for almost two months,” she said.

Non-Programmable Income is another area that must be utilized for family incentives, trash pickup, and fair allocations for public outreach.

“We need to ensure the foundation is set for NHA through the five-year plan,” she said. “We accomplished a lot this year and just know that this is my passion (working for NHA).”

Focusing on meeting the housing needs of the Navajo people is a team effort, Franklin said, much like an NFL game, where the focus is providing the most enjoyable, comfortable, and safe experience for football fans.

“It’s the same with us and that’s how we should handle our work to meet the housing needs of our clients,” he said. “You all play a crucial role.”

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