Just before the holidays, we received outstanding news! The Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) to the Utah Paiute Tribal Housing Authority (UPTHA) for its UPTHA LIHTC Homes #1 development.
This award is extraordinary: It is UPTHA’s first LIHTC development. It is the Utah Housing Commission’s first LIHTC award to a tribal developer. It is Travois’ first client development in Utah and adds on to the total number of states our clients have developed housing in — We’re now up to 19 states!
Most importantly, once renovation on the 17 units is complete, the development will provide dramatically enhanced housing for residents who need it.
To top it all off, on the same day, UPTHA received an Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Finding out the good news of both awards only a few hours apart was like an early Christmas.
“Not only did we make history being the first tribe in Utah to be awarded this tax credit award and the AHP award, but what this will do for our housing residents is truly amazing,” said UPTHA Executive Director James Emery. “This is like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July all rolled up into one spectacular holiday — gifts, love, food and fireworks. Today is a great victory for Paiute Housing!”
Of the 17 rehabilitated units, two units will be targeted for previously houseless individuals and families. These residents will have access to services through a partnership with the Behavioral Care Department of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. Two units will be set aside for people with disabilities, and two units will be fully ADA-compliant.
Twelve units are located on the reservation (tribal trust land) and five units are located off trust-land in scattered sites in Cedar City. Three two-bedroom units, 9 three-bedroom units, four four-bedroom units, and one five-bedroom unit will be renovated.
Planned amenities included covered parking and on-site storage for each unit, 17 bicycle racks, one raised vegetable garden at each unit and the addition of air conditioning.
Travois Design is the architect for the project, and our team has incorporated a number of green building techniques in the scope of rehab, including Energy-star rated appliances, long-lasting exterior finishes, Energy-star rated windows, high quality plumbing fixtures and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
Congrats to UPTHA!