New housing director outlines construction bids and neighborhood outreach

Jeri Killer, the newly named executive director of housing, told the Cherokee Nation Community Services Committee that she is "really excited to take on this job again" and outlined near-term activity in the housing authority.

Killer said residents in the Autumn Woods addition (14 houses in Cherokee County) organized a block party to welcome new neighbors and that several new housing construction projects are either already out for bids or being prepared for bidding. She asked committee members to share preferences for how future housing reports should present statistics and pictures.

The housing director said she has performed much of the work previously and expects staffing to evolve: "As of right now, there are people that are helping me do stuff, but for right now I'm still trying to figure out what the housing authority is gonna look like going forward." She told councilors she will follow up on requests for help navigating housing services.

Councilors thanked Killer for stepping into the role. One member asked whether she had assistance available to help constituents navigate housing services; Killer said the housing authority will identify support moving forward. The chair and several councilors praised recent cemetery cleanup and other community work as evidence of housing outreach and community impact.

The committee did not take formal action on housing during the session. Killer said more detailed reports and contact information would be shared with council members for follow up.

The committee's next meeting was set tentatively for July 13 at 3 p.m.