Celebrating Success with Native American Homeownership
In this episode of The Housing Connection, Chas Olson interviews Sharon Vogel, the Executive Director of Cheyenne River Housing Authority. The discussion focuses on celebrating successes and building the Native residential construction industry in South Dakota.
The episode explores Sharon's role, the initiatives of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, and the challenges and triumphs of promoting Native American homeownership.
Sharon Vogel has worked for 20 years at Cheyenne River Housing Authority. She is the Executive Director and chairwoman of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition. She leads, guides staff, advocates affordable housing and writes grants. The Coalition effectively promotes Native American homeownership through five strategic committees addressing infrastructure, land lease, housing stock, sustainability, homebuyer readiness, and systemic policies.
Sharon focuses on successful projects. Some examples include the USDA 502 re-lending pilot, construction internship program, and Wells Fargo-funded down payment assistance. These efforts have contributed to Native American homeownership growth and the development of the construction industry in South Dakota.
Sharon faces challenges like myths about lending on tribal lands, infrastructure development, and policy issues. Sharon highlights the importance of financial education and data-driven approaches to address housing needs.
Looking to the future, Sharon foresees a specialized and competitive construction industry making substantial contributions to the local economy. The Coalition's success has attracted interest from other states, indicating the potential for a collaborative and replicable model.
Episode Mentions:
Cheyenne River Housing Authority
South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition
Construction Internship Program
Coalition & Member Sustainability Committee
USDA 502 Re-lending Pilot project
About Sharon Vogel:
Sharon Vogel is a key figure in the transformation of Native American housing. She began her homeownership journey after the 1996 enactment of the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). Coming back to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, she supported the Cheyenne River Housing Authority's One Stop Mortgage Center. This center addresses the unique challenges of mortgage programs in Native American communities.
Sharon contributed significantly to community development. She worked to overcome hurdles like the Housing and Urban Development Section 184 mortgages. Her leadership led to the creation of Community 1st Credit Union in 2007, providing essential banking services to residents.
Sharon's commitment to education and advocacy is evident in the success of the 12-week homebuyer education program. Sharon also played a role in the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition's Policy Committee. Sharon's contributions led to increased homeownership rates on reservations.
Beyond work, Sharon believes in the life-changing power of stable homes. Her dedication to family and community well-being reflects this.
