The Navajo Housing Tragedy: Life in Houck

An Arizona Republic investigation has found the Navajo Housing Authority, the agency responsible for spending $1.66 billion to ease housing shortages in Indian country has failed in ways almost too numerous to count.

A low point arguably came in 2007 when HUD investigators determined that the NHA repeatedly allowed misappropriations, price-gouging and excessive delays.

Auditors for the Office of Inspector General found that $53 million went to 14 housing projects that were either unfinished or never started. Contractors were hired without competitive bids. Procurement codes were ignored. Building inspections were not done. Homes were built without access to roads. Workmanship was so flawed, and building materials so shoddy, some homes were ruled unsafe to inhabit.

In Depth:The Navajo Housing Tragedy: Where did $1 billion go?

Mismanagement led to corruption and chaos, followed by lawsuits and bankruptcies.

Nearly a decade after the 2007 investigation, there is little to show. Only several hundred new homes have been built.

Over the last several years, HUD has issued fines and rescinded NHA funds. Members of Congress have pushed to cut Navajo housing allocations. And some tribal leaders are now pressing to shut down the agency.

Today, the NHA touts a new vision in pamphlets illustrated with glossy images. Plans call for construction of 200 units near Houck, Ariz., a rural outpost 35 miles west of Gallup, N.M. But after more than two years of talk, no earth has been turned and locals say the proposed project has no water supply.