Tohono O’odham Reservation Gains Affordable Homes

On the Tohono O’odham Reservation in southwestern Arizona, the Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association (TOKA) is addressing the dire need for affordable housing, infrastructure, and community amenities for tribal members. Existing units across the reservation are overcrowded, and almost 47% of the population live below the poverty line.

TOKA is helping to meet these needs and revitalize the Gu Achi District with its TOKA Hanam Ke:K development. Starting to lease up this summer, TOKA Hanam Ke:K includes the new construction of 12 townhomes and 17 single-family homes for families. The units will continue TOKA’s mission by serving nine households at or below 40% of the area median income (AMI), 12 households at or below 50% of the AMI, and eight households at or below 60% of the AMI.

“We have such a severe lack of housing on the reservation,” says Kimberly Mull, chairwoman of the TOKA board of directors. “We’ve been working hard over the last 10 years to increase the amount of housing stock and bring new projects such as this one to create opportunities.”

Located in an extremely rural area, TOKA Hanam Ke:K is incorporating community amenities not often found on the reservation. Amenities will be completed by the end of the year and will include a gymnasium, a community kitchen, a fitness center, a splash pad, a playground, and a basketball court adjacent to the homes.

“In addition to the housing we’re building, we incorporated large-scale community amenities that are going to be available for people of all ages of this area,” Mull adds.

TOKA worked closely with Travois Design and Construction Services to incorporate tribal cultural preferences and meet high energy-efficiency standards. The buildings are designed to highlight the Spanish Mission style with colonial barrio details that include vibrant colors, shaded areas outdoor patio space, unique window and door frames, and natural wood elements.

In addition, through a combination of soft financing sources from partners, there is no hard debt on the $24.4 million development.