Members of the Kenaitze and Salamatof Tribal Councils, the Kenaitze/Salamatof Tribally Designated Housing Entity Board and the Kenaitze Elders committee gathered on Friday for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Elder housing project in Kenai.

“We’ve been talking about senior housing and housing for our Tribal Members for as long as I can remember, 30-plus years. This is a promise kept and a vision fulfilled,” said Kaarlo Wik, TDHE Board Chair.

Located on Redoubt Avenue near the intersection with North Forest Drive, the project includes construction of nine single-story four-plexes with a mix of one- and two- bedroom units. Most units will have a one-car garage; one building will have carports. Kenaitze Tribal Council Chair Bernadine Atchison expressed thanks for all the work on the project.

“I’d like to thank all of our staff, all of our Housing staff, all of our employees – none of this would have happened if we did have people writing grants, and testifying, and speaking on behalf of the Tribe,” Atchison said.

The Elder housing sits on a portion of the 160-acre parcel the Tribe purchased in 2022.

“When we first started this project, it was a long time ago, and to see all of the efforts by both Kenaitze and Salamatof working together has been wonderful,” said Kenaitze Tribal Council Member and honorary Elders Committee Member Mary Ann Mills. “This is a time to celebrate our Elders, and I’d like to thank the Elders for coming. I know soon I will move into one of the apartments. I just feel so proud of both Tribes for all the hard work that they’ve done.”

The Kenaitze/Salamatof TDHE has received two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Indian Housing Block Grant competitive awards for the project. The TDHE was awarded a $5 million grant in 2022, with a $1.7 million match from the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. A second grant of $7.5 million, with a $2.5 million match from Kenaitze, was awarded in 2023.

“It’s been an honor to be a part of this for the last couple of years,” said Kenaitze Executive Director Rudy Wilson. “I appreciate all the hard work that went into this. It took a lot of work.”

Wik said Elder housing was a dream of two of his mentors, Jim Segura and Rita Smagge.

“They had a vision for senior housing, but they passed before the dream was accomplished. I’m just really happy that this generation of leaders has been able to fulfill their original vision of housing our Elders,” Wik said.

Wik noted that affordable housing is an issue across the country, with high demand and low supply driving up rental costs. He credited the Housing department staff with working to meet those needs in Kenai, close to all the services provided by the Tribe.

“The movement toward actually housing our Native people where they are, not making them move out of the community, it’s a huge impact,” Wik said.

The general contractor on the project is UIC Nappairit LLC. The Kenaitze Indian Tribe has partnered with Nappairit on a number of recent projects, including the Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina Community Hall and Harvest Pavilion, and the Qiz’unch’ Tribal Courthouse renovation and expansion.

Workers started site clearing and dirt work earlier this spring. Construction is expected to be complete and units ready for occupancy by late 2027.