Housing services outlines plan to build dozens of homes using ARPA and grant funds

Todd, director of Housing Services, told the council the housing authority currently has five homes under construction — two in Tahlequah, one in Muskogee, one in Salsaw and one in Jay — and expects the first batch of additional homes to go to bid within weeks.

"We have 5 houses under construction right now, 2 in Tahlequah, 1 in Muskogee, 1 in Salsaw, and 1 in Jay," Todd said. He said 26 homes are in the abstracting stage as title work is completed and that the authority has developed nearly 500 houses in recent years. Todd said a new Housing Jobs push funded by council money under the Housing Jobs Sustainable Communities Act of '24 aims to build about 105–110 homes.

Todd discussed cost pressures and said per‑square‑foot construction prices are fluctuating amid broader inflationary concerns, citing recent contract examples "anywhere from $135 a square foot to 150," with two‑bedroom units under contract for about $191,000 and some three‑bedroom units under contract for about $175,000. He said Autumn Woods Phase 2 site work is roughly 30–40 days from completion and that Habitat for Humanity will begin the first house in that phase.

Councilors asked for clarifications about where the 83 (reference in discussion) homes sit across the reservation and site‑specific concerns at Southtown/South Coffeyville; Todd said those 83 homes are on individually owned land developed by request and that soil inundation on the north side of the South Coffeyville parcel has prompted a plan to develop along the south side instead.

The council did not take formal votes on housing programs during the meeting; Todd said the authority is working to spend down ARPA funds this spring and will release construction lots in batches to increase contractor participation.