Rosebud's Transformational Investment in Housing
Tribal Partnership Results in Generational Investment in Housing
As the Keya Wakpala development has gained momentum over the past few years, our partnership with the leadership of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Tribal Council has strengthened and broadened. We all see Keya Wakpala as an important piece of the puzzle in addressing the housing crisis faced by the Sicangu people.
Tribal leadership showed their deep commitment to addressing that crisis when they committed $10 million in ARPA funding to housing development. Of that, $1.7 million will go toward our work at Keya Wakpala! Read the full press release below or on our website.
Building on that momentum, our Keya Wakpala team attended the Enterprise Community Partners Tribal Housing Ecosystem Summit in Boise, Idaho from August 27-29.
We had the opportunity to present as part of their Tribal Showcase series. It was our first time presenting the Keya Wakpala development to a wide audience, and the positive feedback we received from other tribal leaders, funding partners, and housing experts was a great reminder that we are doing something special (and challenging!).
We were inspired by the great work of so many other Native Nations and look forward to forging new partnerships with both our peers and new funders!
Press Release:
On August 26th, the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council finalized a resolution to address the long-standing housing crisis facing the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. Sicangu Co is one of three recipients of the funding and will receive $1.7 million for housing development at the Keya Wakpala site. The investment will jumpstart construction and ensure affordability for Sicangu homebuyers.
“The Tribe’s support will accelerate momentum at the site. We’ve needed something like this for a while, and it’s going to be transformational,” said Clay Colombe, Sicangu Co CEO. “I’d like to personally thank the Tribal Council for approving these funds, with a special thank you to the members of the Economic Development Committee who have been great advocates for Keya Wakpala.”
Funding from the $1.7 million investment will be used for home construction and leveraged as equity to secure a larger, multi-year construction loan. Sicangu Co staff are already working on the logistics to begin construction as soon as possible, with the goal of having at least 19 new homes built by the end of 2027. The revolving nature of this funding model, where revenues from home sales are reinvested into future developments, ensures that the project remains sustainable and that more families will benefit over time.
Additionally, the investment will ensure that Keya Wakpala homes remain affordable for Sicangu families. Part of the $1.7 million will be used to provide substantial subsidies to homebuyers, offsetting rising construction costs. By offering these subsidies, Sicangu Co and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe are committed to creating equitable and sustainable housing solutions for the Sicangu Oyate. The homes will not only provide safe and modern housing for families but will also incorporate energy-efficient designs that align with Lakota values, ensuring sustainability for future generations.
While this investment marks a historic milestone, additional financial support is needed, according to Colombe. “Long-term, the only way we can continue this work is through substantial grants and donations for the infrastructure,” said Colombe. “For the roads, water, sewer, and site work for just the next 10-home loop, we are looking at over $3 million—not to mention what it will take for the full vision of Keya Wakpala.”
The $1.7 million allocated to Sicangu Co was part of a larger $10 million investment made by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. In addition to support for Keya Wakpala, the investment includes $4 million for Ojinjinkta Housing Development Corporation—the Tribe’s housing construction facility—and $4.3 million for Dynamic Homes, a housing construction company owned by Ho Chunk, Inc. The funds are part of the Tribe’s Hundred Homes Initiative, which is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
To learn more about how to support the vision for a safe and thriving Sicangu Oyate, please reach out to wotakuye@sicangu.co.
***Media contacts: please feel free to re-publish this story or reach out to storytelling@sicangu.co with additional inquiries.
