The Pursuit of Homeownership on Tribal Lands
Stat: 4 million to 7 million: The United States has a shortage of 4 million to 7 million homes. Story: For many Indigenous communities, the concept of land or home ownership can stand in opposition to their cultures—which often place more emphasis on land stewardship. But just like communities across the country, on and off the reservation, housing availability and affordability is a growing problem. In this episode, Jody Cahoon Perez, now the executive director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority, shares how she became a homeowner on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. And the “After the Fact” team dissects some creative solutions that could help cities address housing disparities, like restrictive zoning and inventory near city centers.