OKMULGEE – A total of 10 brand new housing units were unveiled at the Kvn Polokuce Satkv Bald Hill Housing Community Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Housing Department and Tribal leadership gave opening remarks on how the new $3.6 million development will serve Mvskoke families. Among those families are the Pevehouses, a family of six, who moved into a new four-bedroom unit.
The Indian Housing Block Grant funded the houses. They are part of the Lease With Option To Purchase program under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). Cornerstone Construction constructed the units. The development features eight three-bedroom and two four-bedroom units. The Office of Environmental Services conducted the clearance request for the location.
This marks the first housing development the Nation has opened this year. Additionally, the Nation has developed six single-family homes in different locations on the Reservation and acquired an additional 12 homes this year.
During the opening remarks, MCN Press Secretary Jason Salsman shared that it took only 148 days from the execution of the construction contract on Monday, March 9, to the ribbon-cutting. He described the project as the “smoothest to date” during his time at the Nation.
MCN Secretary of Housing Ronald Rogers shared that the development timeline for this project was shorter than previous Tribal housing developments. He applauded Cornerstone for the quality of their units and their quick project delivery timeline. Three Ponds, another Okmulgee-based housing edition that opened in 2025, took six years to complete construction.
“Three Ponds was under construction when I came; it took too long. Berryhill, around the corner, took a little over 700 days,” Rogers said. “So Mr. (Jeff) Fife and I had a conversation about being able to expedite our construction. I think today is proof that we have done that.”
Gordon PeveHouse (Mvskoke) works as a cultural technician for the Cultural and Preservation Department. He handles Section 106 Reviews, government consultations, and protections for culturally-significant sites. These include archaeological sites in the homelands, Tribal Town, and cemeteries. His family’s new four-bedroom unit at Bald Hill will provide them more space and privacy than their current home in Henryetta. Pevehouse shared that the new unit is only a brief distance from the office.
“It’s only like two minutes down the road, so I’ve been out here every day for lunch, just checking it out, pinching myself, making sure it’s still here,” Pevehouse said. “These quality of homes are really nice compared to what you see around. We are just really excited and anxious to get moved in.”
Pevehouse shared that he plans to put up a fence and erect a shop on the property. He plans to fill the shop with fishing poles, four-wheelers, and supplies for his family’s small business, Jenny’s Lemonade Stand.
MCN Principal Chief David Hill expressed his gratitude for everyone’s part in helping make the Bald Hill Housing Community a reality. According to Principal Chief Hill, each unit helps a family.
“Another milestone that I’m real proud of, Ronnie and his department and what they’ve done,” Principal Chief Hill said.
“Everyone from the Realty Department, the Environmental Department, anyone who has had a hand in this. It takes everyone to make this happen. I want to thank the National Council for their support.”
National Council Speaker Randall Hicks shared that this ribbon-cutting represented a team effort that exhibited growth.
“From the start of the initial thought of planning this through and through the council, back to housing, and then getting all the contractors involved, all the staff, everybody that was involved in doing this, I want to say thank you,” Speaker Hicks said. “For the Muscogee Nation, we always try to do better.”
According to Salsman, the next housing development is currently slated for the next fiscal year and will be located in Muskogee.
