HHFA-OA-No. 61-240
(00 2-4433)
Housing Administrator Robert C. Weaver today announced approval of a loan of $166,600 to build a housing-for-the-elderly project in the middle of the 2,000,000-acre Pine Ridge Indian reservation in southwest South Dakota.
The project was initiated by leaders of the Oglala-Sioux Tribe of Indians most of whose 12,000 members live on the reservation.
The sponsoring organization, the Pine Ridge Settlement House, is composed of both Indians and white men and is both non-denominational and non-racial. Housing in the group will be open to persons 62 years of age and over and will not be limited to members of the sponsoring group. However, it is expected that most of them will be members of the Tribe since they constitute the greater part of the population in, the area to be served by the home.
The project will be called the Felix S. Cohen Memorial Home in tribute to the former Associate Solicitor of the Interior Department, who later served until his death as attorney for the Oglala-Sioux Tribe.
The home will consist of a one-story rectangular building which will contain 23 living units to accommodate 38 persons, a central dining room, and lounge and recreation rooms. It will be located across the highway from the Pine Ridge Indian Hospital, which is operated by the U.S. Public Health service.
A monthly charge of about $75 per person will be made, including room, board, utilities, laundry, and social and recreational activities.
The sponsoring organization consists of a seven-man board, as follows: Father John Bryde of the Holy Rosary Mission, Chairman; Johnson Holy Rock; president of the Oglala-Sioux Tribe, Vice-Chairman; Alfreda Janis, Tribe member, secretary; Alvin Hemingway, filling station owner, Treasurer; and Board members: Moses Two Bulls, former Chief Judge of the Oglala-Sioux Tribe; Lawrence Redwing;, restaurant owner; and Ira L. Wood, farmer.
