VOS UPDATES
The Village of Solomon Traditional Council recently approved the Affordable Housing Application for the two new single family housing units on the new lots developed by VOS.
The longtime efforts and coordination of VOS to develop housing, a game processing facility and a new Community center continued to take a significant amount of time due to the utility expansion, housing selections, contractor selections, designing and planning - leveraging funding sources, etc. This has been a committed effort by the VOS and the Council has officially approved the application and scoring guide to support homeownership for our very own, within Nome. When the designing, planning and budgeting began with the purchase of these 4 lots, there was nothing but tundra on the East end of Nome, without water/sewer/power or gravel. It truly has been a dedicated effort, in partnership with the King Island Native Community who has shared contractors in the effort to minimize costs for the same vision of both tribes - to develop affordable housing for their own respective tribal members within Nome.
A Huge Quyanna should go to President Kirsten Timbers, Vice President Cameron Piscoya and Tribal Resources Director Deilah Johnson for continuing the momentum at each coordination meeting throughout several years in order to open the applications for the homes, since the idea was discussed during the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.
Housing Applications and the Scoring Guide can be found on the ‘Affordable Housing’ tab; or by clicking here.
Housing Applications are due by November 15, 2025. Full and completed applications; please review the instructions on the application carefully and should you need assistance, please reach out to your Council or the Tribal Resources Director directly. Your new Council can be found here, with the recent run-off election to finalize the annual elections; the reorganization of officers was completed October 2nd, 2025.
President- Kirsten Timbers
Vice President - Cameron Piscoya
Treasurer- Deilah Johnson
Secretary - Sherri Lewis
Asst. Secretary/Asst. Treasurer- Annette Piscoya
Seat D, Wilma Amaktoolik
Youth Seat - Imari Bright
VOS will be applying for the Housing of Urban Development Indian Community Development Block Grant (HUD ICDBG) for the eligible activity of ‘New affordable housing construction’ to serve the LMI community within VOS. The VOS owns one lot across from the existing developments on E. 6th, which is currently undeveloped tundra. With an application to HUD, Citizen participation is a required element of the grant application. Please take this as our first announcement with intent to apply; additional information on a community gathering to discuss further and provide input on this federal grant application, will be forthcoming.
A drafted budget is as follows:
Construction Budget estimated. VOS is only eligible to apply for up to $1,000,000
Gravel pad design/engineering/construction - $250,000
Modular unit $350,000
Furnishings $65,000
Shipping $190,000
Contractor $100,000
Total estimates: $955,000
Please keep an eye out to participate in an open discussion for feedback, concerns, support, ideas/brainstorming in the next two weeks.
