NHA facing lawsuits for substandard houses

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

Wallace Becenti kneels beside his septic system outside his house Thursday afternoon near Naschitti, N.M. Becenti is concerned that the close placement of the system to the house could cause health issues if not moved. (Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent)

NASCHITTI — Wallace Becenti, in his 70s, walked around the outside of his five-bedroom, two-story home, pointing out an unfinished roof and bowed-out siding.

There is the septic tank, he said as he pointed to a pipe sticking out from the ground just six-feet from the house.

He walked inside, past the attractive, but cracked, log porch through his front door into the living room.

A glance around the kitchen showed separation between the sink and the wall. Upstairs, in the bedrooms, the walls showed signs of aging, cracks in the corners and doors off-center.

Becenti's house is only a year old and the warranty is nearly up.

"It's not nice just to have a one-year warranty," Becenti said in late December. "If they know they did a good job, they'd do a five or 10-year warranty."

His home is what he wants to leave to his children and his grandchildren. It was built by Navajo Housing Authority on land he was born and raised on. His sheep, cattle, horses and the family dogs stay nearby.

"When I first asked for (the home), I was happy I was going to get it," Becenti said. "I was getting old and thinking about my children and grandchildren."

After the problems with the house including water leaks and a too-small foundation became obvious, Becenti pointed it out to whomever he could, chapter officials, delegates, and Navajo Housing Authority employees.

He said he was told to "shut-up" and be happy that he, at least, had a home.

But Becenti, who is paying for the house through a federal Veterans Assistance grant and his own money, won't . He worries about the condition of the house he wants to leave to his family after his 30-year mortgage is paid for.

And he is not the only one.

Lawsuits are currently pending against Navajo Housing Authority about the quality and condition of houses built under a 1999 fiscal-year project. Houses just like Becenti's. While some families have moved into their new homes, others are waiting until they are repaired.

In 2002, Desert Eagle Engineering, LLC, an independent engineering company in Albuquerque, did a structural survey of 25 housing units, which were part of more than 160 scattered sites.

The survey uncovered framing, structural and foundation problems.

"The foundations and framing connection in many units are inadequate for the prescribed loads or do not meet some element of the (building code)," the report stated. "The framing appears to be based on a one-size fits all approach. Some members are significantly overstressed while others are not."

Families, once they sign on with Navajo Housing Authority to build a home, can choose their own floor plan. Designs vary in size, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms.

The survey found no soil investigations done at any of the housing sites. This can alter the house as it settles.

"Due to the fact that minimum standard framing practices were not followed, there are a significant number of overstressed members and insufficient connections throughout all of the units," the report stated.

Engineers estimated repair costs for each unit between $10,000 to $30,000.

"Based on what was observed in these units, they should not be inhabited until all of the corrective measures have been completed and re-inspected," the report concluded. "The repairs for the units will vary substantially."

Chester Carl, chief executive officer for Navajo Housing Authority, said during the 1999 project, they were given a 24-month time period in which to obligate and spend the funds.

"We tried to come up with an expedited process to build (the homes)," Carl said. "By not having certified people, there ended up being structural deficiencies."

Now, Carl said, the process has changed.

Certified housing plans and an independent inspector are part of the new procedures. When a family chooses a home now, issues, including costs, are addressed up front. There are even home-buyer education classes to answer questions on warranties, repairs, and maintenance, Carl said.

"We're working on every (lawsuit) to resolve them before court," Carl said. "We're committed to make sure all issues are resolved."

For the houses under the 1999 project, Carl said qualified, certified people will go back and correct the problems.

"It didn't make sense to send the same people back," Carl said. "We're sending the right people."

— To contact reporter Pam Dempsey call (505) 879-1707 or email pamelagdempsey@msn.com