Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Budget and Finance Committee acted on Resolution No. BFMY-14-26, which would approve the investigatory hearing rules to determine compliance with Navajo Nation law concerning contracts for housing and related matters, May 13.
The investigation will examine housing projects involving Zenni Homes, Indigenous Design Studio + Architects, and other vendors that haven’t delivered homes from 2021 to the present.
Sponsor of the legislation, BFC Chair Shaandiin Parrish, stressed the need for the 25th Navajo Nation to push for this investigation to determine whether the contracts for ZenniHomes, IDSA, and other vendors complied with Navajo Nation laws, regulations, rules, and policies.
The investigation remains a critical duty for the 25th Navajo Nation Council and the BFC.
The investigation will provide clearer insight into what happened to the American Rescue Plan Act funding meant to bring modular homes to the Navajo Nation. The purpose of the hearing rules is to ensure that the investigatory hearing is a full, fair, and transparent process.
On July 18, the BFC adopted Legislation No. 0174-25, authorizing an investigatory hearing for the purpose of determining whether contracts, including procurement, subcontracts, deliverables, and payments, for housing projects entered into by the Navajo Nation with ZenniHomes, IDSA, and other vendors.
The BFC has received reports, both oral and written, from Navajo Nation officials, employees, and community members suggesting that the Navajo Nation’s contracts, including procurement, contract modifications, deliverables, invoicing, and payments with ZenniHomes, IDSA, and other vendors, didn’t follow Navajo Nation laws, regulations, rules, and policies.
The BFC found that the information received regarding ZenniHomes, IDSA, and other contracted vendors was credible and warranted further investigation through an investigatory hearing.
The hearings will start June 8, and if necessary, continue until June 19. The time, date, and location of the hearing will be posted on the Navajo Nation Council website and social media pages.
The BFC approved the measure with a vote of five in favor and none opposed. The committee has final authority over this legislation.
