Nooksack Tribe extends two-month housing offer to evicted families

NOOKSACK, Wash. (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Nooksack Tribal Court has released its final decision in an ongoing case involving tribal housing.

In a statement released Thursday, Oct. 17, the Nooksack Tribal Council says the tribe will extend an additional two months of housing offers to the seven evicted families.

Three years ago, the Nooksack Tribe began working to evict these families after changing their housing policies in 2021. The statement said the seven families have until December 31 to vacate their homes, remove personal belongings and “pay off all debts.”

The Nooksack Indian Housing Authority said the homes are owned by the Nooksack Nation and the tenants are being evicted because they are not classified as Nooksack citizens. The council says there are more than 200 tribal members on the waiting list for housing.

However, an article in Indian Country Today states that seven households have received support through federal programs aimed at creating homeownership for Natives across the state. It also states that after 15 years, families will be able to obtain title to their home under the Tenant Final Ownership program, and all residents have passed the 15-year mark.

Seven families told Nooksack attorneys they have owned the homes for the past three years.

They have until October 31 to respond to the court’s decision.