During our 19th Annual Travois Indian Country Affordable Housing & Economic Development Conference in Miami, FL, we honored professionals in five categories at our Superhero Awards ceremony. This was our fifth year honoring industry professionals doing amazing work in their communities, and it’s become one of our favorite activities during our annual conference.
Elfina Kalemsa, resident services program manager for Hopi Tribal Housing Authority, was named Haven Professional of the Year.
Elfina accepted her award with happy tears. She addressed the crowd by thanking her team at the Hopi Tribal Housing Authority and said she felt honored that her hard work was being recognized.
After the event, she provided us with a few words: “Decent, affordable housing is a need of all in Indian Country,” Elfina said. “I am blessed to be able to help our own tribal members live in that kind of ‘haven’ on our reservation!”
Elfina’s work ethic and dedication to helping her community is exactly why she is our 2019 Haven Professional of the Year. She listens to the needs of both tenants and co-workers, and she works tirelessly to ensure the wheels stay in motion, the units get rented up, and the needs of her community are served. She has balanced 80 units — low rent and tax credit — all while staying active in her community and raising a family.
She is a member of the Hopi Tribe, Roadrunner Clan from the Village of Sichomovi in Arizona, and she has worked in affordable housing since 2009.
It was an honor and a privilege to present this year’s Haven Professional award to my friend Elfina Kalemsa.
I admire your hard work in helping to create a haven for tribal families in Arizona!
Related news: