New developments for Quinault Nation

QUINAULT INDIAN RESERVATION -- Perched in the hills near the Moclips River, the Moclips River Estates may arguably have the best views in the Quinault Indian Nation.

When families from the Quinault Indian Nation move into the 80-unit housing development in a few years, some will have views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier and the Pacific Ocean.

The view, however, is not why dozens of families are on a waiting list to move in.

Rather it's the Quinault tribe's urgent need for adequate low- and moderate-income housing that makes this place so valuable, said Pearl Capoeman-Baller, president.

"It's been a long-awaited project and we're anxiously awaiting its completion," said Capoeman-Baller. "Anyone who has an opportunity to reside at that (site) will be pleased. It's beautiful and they've done a great job out there."

Next spring, construction of 40 homes and six single-unit apartments will begin on the two 80-acre plots belonging to the Quinault Indian Nation, said Connie Wilson, the tribe's housing director.

An additional 40 homes are expected in the near future. The three-bedroom homes are for low- to moderate-income families. The average price tag: $120,000.

The $8 million housing project is being funded by a Department of Housing and Urban Development block grant and the Quinault Indian Nation.

The new homes will offer some relief to the reservation's chronic housing shortage--but only a little, said Max Stocks, the tribe's economic development & community planner.

"It's a constant battle (to) provide adequate housing for everybody," said Stocks.

Stocks said he's already received more than 150 applications for the development and other families have been on waiting lists for years.

Moclips River Estates is the reservation's first housing project since 25 homes were built six years ago.

The need has "always been there and, yes, it is extreme. In a perfect world, it would be nice if couples could have their own home," said Stocks. "We have no adequate housing for single people or mothers with children. They don't make enough money (to) really afford their own housing."

Overall on the reservation, there are 1,381 people living in 404 homes, said Stock. In Taholah, 946 people are sharing 250 homes.

Many families are living with two or three families in the same house to make due.

And many of the existing homes are old and in desperate need of repairs.

About 150 houses need to be rebuilt, rehabilitated or demolished, said Stocks. "We could probably use at least 100 homes and we could probably fill them," said Stocks. "I think (Moclips River Estates) will put a big dent in the problem."

As soon as the 40 families move into Moclips River Estates, their former homes will be rebuilt or demolished. Several problems--low income, property laws, lack of infrastructure--are contributing to the housing shortage. About 55 percent of tribal members earn less than $15,000 per year.

Only 10 percent of tribal members earn more than $35,000 a year.

"It makes it tough to pay for your utilities and buy some groceries," said Stocks. "There isn't much left to do the maintenance on your home--from putting on a new roof or painting it. You can only stretch your dollar so far."