Leupp celebrates grand opening of LSI staff housing
LEUPP, Ariz. - The community of Luepp as well as employees and students from Luepp Schools Inc., celebrated as the Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) officially opened a 20-unit affordable family staff housing complex, on Nov. 24, during a grand opening ceremony held at the Leupp School Inc. Library.
Designed by Architect Leon Shirley LAS LLC and constructed by White Mountain Construction Inc. the single family units complex is comprised of eight two-bedroom units, 10 three-bedroom units with one equipped assessable unit, and two four bedroom units. The complex is located directly east of the newly constructed Luepp School.
"This day is a big day," said Luepp Schools Inc. acting principal Emma Yazzie. "I know the employees of Luepp School and the community has been waiting for the housing project to be completed."
The project came to life in 2001, when Yazzie stepped on as acting principal.
"Let's take care of the houses because it is our asset to the community and will remain here in Luepp for years to come," Yazzie said.
Taking nearly a year to construct, the $4.3 million project was funded entirely from NAHASDA funds.
Louis Sheperd, grant manager with NHA, was invited as a guest speaker. He expressed his thanks on behalf of NHA and gave a brief background of the project.
"Certainly it is a wonderful occasion to be a part of the dedication of new housing," Sheperd said. "NHA appreciates our involvement in this project and congratulates the school in its participation, involvement and continued efforts in trying to make housing available to its community and staff."
Mike Cooley, president of White Mountain Construction Inc., was also invited and shared his appreciation for his involvement with the project.
"First of all, I'd like to say thank you again for allowing us to build those ... houses," Cooley said. "Those houses look absolutely gorgeous and I think whoever is going to go through those houses are going to enjoy them."
Henry Moore Jr., board president of Luepp Schools Inc., shares his gratitude on behalf of the teachers and community of Luepp and explains one of the main purposes of the housing project was to retain teachers.
"The purpose of the project was to retain and recruit staff members and keep them here," Moore said. "We have an excellent crew of teachers here that are willing to stay and we have teachers committed and dedicated to the community that come back year after year."
"The students are our number one focus here," Moore continued to explain. "We try to provide the students the best education we can, with the infrastructure that is available and one of them is housing for our staff."
To conclude the event both Cooley and Moore were presented certificates of substantial completion by Sheperd. The certificates signified the completion of the project.
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