On June 5, the Omaha Tribe had a groundbreaking event for Pe’zhitu Village south of Yellow Smoke Road near the Omaha Lodges. The homes are part of a partnership with Omaha Tribal Housing Authority (OTHA) and Big Elk Development Inc. (BEPI). Over the next two years, 24 housing units will be built. The units will be available to households where at least one family member is employed in an agricultural related field.

Pe’zhitu Village is being funded through $1,500,000 in matching funds from the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska ARPA funds, $825, 009 from the US Department of Agriculture, and a $5,925, 083 Farm Labor Housing grant from the USDA. Melissa Henscheid wrote the original grant when she was the housing director for OTHA.

The project is scheduled for completion in 18 months. Staff said the 24 units will help the housing shortage that our people face. We all look forward to seeing this beautiful housing project complete.