The annual United Native American Housing Association (UNAHA) meeting in Denver provided a great opportunity to learn something new about housing in Indian Country. It also provided a great opportunity to learn something new about the people behind successful housing projects.
Some of those people contributing to the success in Indian Country include the staff of the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority (TMHA). Mike Price, director of Travois Asset Management, and I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with Pete Davis and Richard “Dickey” Schroeder and learned several interesting facts about each.
Dickey, who is finishing his term as treasurer for UNAHA, has been with the TMHA for more than 20 years. Among the interesting contributions Dickey has made while at TMHA, he also represents Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota on the AMERIND Board of Directors. We also learned that fresh shrimp is on his list of favorites as well!
Pete Davis, Executive Director of the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority, continues to play a critical role in meeting housing needs on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. Since becoming executive director, TMHA has completed its sixth and seventh Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects. These two projects have created 58 new housing units and leveraged more than $8.9 million in private investment on the reservation. TMHA’s eighth LIHTC project will start construction this summer and will provide convenient housing next to the Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC).
In Pete’s spare time, he coaches the men’s basketball team at TMCC. After a long coaching career, he has turned the Mighty Mikinocks into a perennial contender in the National Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 2013, the Mikinocks were conference champions and this year, the team finished second in the conference. We also learned that Pete is a fan of authentic Cajun food!
