We appreciate your interest in the Washoe Housing Authority (WHA) and hope this enables you to better understand the WHA and its purpose. We feel it is important to understand the past in order to better prepare for the future.
Housing assistance dates back to 1934 and has evolved into what is now known as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) who administers Public and Indian Housing. The Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) was passed in order to combine several programs into one dedicated to tribal housing. HUD provides funding to the Washoe Housing Authority to assist with Native Americans housing needs.
The Carson Indian Community was established in 1917 when two tracks of land were purchased which are now known as the Carson Colony and the Stewart Community. Shortly after, the Government received land from the Dressler family which is now known as the Dresslerville Community. A special Act of Congress granted land to the Washoe in Alpine County in 1970 which is known as the Woodfords Community.
In 1963 the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California adopted Ordinance III establishing the Dresslerville Housing Authority which was amended in 1977 with Ordinance VII changing the name and establishing the WHA. The Washoe Tribe then adopted Title 29, from which replaces Ordinance III and VII. One of the first projects completed was known as the Dresslerville-Help Housing project. The lease was signed on May 28, 1964 by Chairman Ward. With additional funding sources becoming available more and more development was made possible. Today, the Washoe Housing Authority manages Mutual Help Units, Low Rent Units, and Tax Credit Units for Washoe Tribal Members in four communities. In addition, the Washoe Housing Authority receives funding for Tenant Based Assistance programs which are designed to assist tribal members living within the service areas.
Under a grant in 2014, a 13 lot infrastructure project was completed in the Dresslerville community. At the end of construction, the lots were turned over to the Dresslerville community. (Project map)
Under a California LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credits) project the homes in the Hung-A-Lel-Ti community were taken down to the studs and refurbished in 2016 providing updated modernized homes for the community