A new home for grandma, just in time for Christmas<br>

Actual construction of the home came from four generations of the Etsitty family and community volunteers working in tandem with ICE. Support staff from ICE also volunteered time and money.

One staff member made a substantial cash donation to have propane heating installed for the home, which is also heated through a pellet stove.

ICE received Native American Housing and Self Determination Act of 1996 funding in 2004 from Navajo Housing Authority. The NAHASDA funding has assisted ICE in making many dreams across the reservation become reality.

“Shiil hozho,” Etsitty said last Friday, before the traditional blessing of her home.

Etsitty’s appreciation was evident and her son-in-law Robert Tohe said the help from ICE was immeasurable.

“ICE helped her with everything, from the application to the screening and financing process,” Tohe said. “They wanted to demonstrate how Navajo elders can apply for mortgages and introduce their elder hogan here.”

Etsitty’s new hogan is the first such structure built by ICE in New Mexico. The Elder Hogan Home manufactured by ICE offers 805 square-feet of living space, along with kitchen, bath and utility room areas.

According to the floor plan, the Elder Hogan Home has a spacious of 25 feet diameter for the hogan portion of the home, while the attached structure provides kitchen, bath and storage amenities.

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