The Osage Nation’s storm shelter assistance program is continuing after the Ninth ON Congress approved a $520,000 supplemental appropriation during its 3rd Special Session.
On Jan. 16, Congress passed ONCA 25-29 (sponsored by Congressman Eli Potts), which is the appropriation bill requesting the replenishment of the Nation’s Storm Shelter Assistance Fund. The $520,000 amount, in tribal funding, will go toward applications for storm shelter purchase assistance up to $5,000 per Osage constituent household.
“This is to provide supplemental funding to the revolving fund for storm shelter assistance,” Potts told the Congressional Appropriations Committee, which initially considered the bill. “Last count I had, we appropriated $750,000 that covered 150 applicants and as of Jan. 9 there were 77 applicants still on the list, so this should take care of the waiting list that’s currently in place and get a few more applications for the remainder of the year.”
The Nation’s Housing Department is handling the storm shelter assistance applications after the program‘s launch following the May 6, 2024, tornado that hit Barnsdall and damaged or destroyed several homes, including those owned by Osages.
Congresswoman Whitney Red Corn said she would like Congress to continue conversations with the Housing Department to identify trends with applications and interest for future budgeting purposes.
Congresswoman and committee Chair Jodie Revard recognized incoming Housing Department Director Brandon Wallace, who now holds the post after predecessor Talee Redcorn resigned recently.
“We have seen a slow(down) in applications coming in, but we are accounting for the winter months, temperatures and weather is going to prevent installations,” Wallace told the committee. “We are expecting an increase in the spring when those thoughts of severe weather come back around to people’s minds, we imagine we will have another influx.”
Housing Program Coordinator Marissa Turley shared data on the storm shelter program, noting out of the 150 initial applications, some individuals pulled their applications and others did not respond to completing their applications, which was 6-8 applicants. “We have 40 that are waiting on installation right now and like Brandon said, it’s mainly weather-related that they’ve had to put their installations off. They’re approved and they’re just waiting on their vendor to install.”
“We have 32 that have not responded with when their installation is going to be, so they’re still sitting at their approved $5,000 (assistance limit), so I’m going to hold onto that money for them until they respond to my update email just to make sure they’re still interested and we’re not holding funds for somebody else who can use them,” Turley said.
For approved application costs, Turley said the final invoices have ranged from $3,200 to over $5,000 for storm shelter costs that are installed either below or above ground level, noting some costs are as high as $8,000 each.
“We have assisted 183 Osages in this program, 43 of those were elders, altogether we have assisted 264 people with safe havens – places to go,” Turley said. We have 77 (applications) on the waiting list, so that’s $385,000 if everyone uses their full $5,000 (maximum amount).” In response to a question from Congressman Joe Tillman, Turley added most applications came from Oklahoma and some out-of-state applications came from Kansas, Missouri and Texas.
ONCA 25-29 passed with a 11-0 vote and one absence from Congresswoman Brandy Lemon. Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear signed the bill into law after the special session ended.
Osage constituents interested in applying for storm shelter assistance may fill out an application on the ON Housing Department website at: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/services/housing