Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority presented plans July 2 to the Ukiah City Council for a 15‑unit housing project for tribal elders on Cooper Lane, saying the proposal would include two‑bedroom, two‑bath units and a shared community center.

The presentation matters because the project targets elders in Northern Circle’s nine‑tribe consortium, aims to serve people receiving Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Payments and, its advocates say, would increase culturally specific housing capacity for a population the presenter described as disproportionately affected by homelessness.

Mariah McGill, deputy director of Northern Circle, told the council the project is designed “by the elders for the elders,” and described a property layout with 15 units (two bedrooms, two baths each) and communal spaces intended for cultural activities, a wellness/cultural center with a library and industrial kitchen, energy‑efficiency features including solar, and native landscaping that supports traditional basket‑weaving plants. McGill said Northern Circle’s initial plan would create roughly 30 beds of capacity by allowing shared occupancy or a live‑in aide.

Jesse Davis, chief planning manager for the City of Ukiah, introduced McGill and confirmed the project has previously been reviewed for a historical demolition permit and is in predevelopment. He told council staff are working with the developer on issues such as parking and compliance with objective design standards.

Funding for the site as presented includes a Community Care Expansion Program award administered by the California Department of Social Services (Northern Circle said it has access to a $10,600,000 award through that program) and about $532,000 in match from the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program; McGill said Northern Circle is also seeking donations and other funding. The presenter said the organization manages more than 200 affordable units across Northern California and operates a tenant‑based rental assistance program.

Council members and other attendees asked staff and the developer questions about unit layout, parking, and electric‑vehicle charging. McGill said the funding emphasis for the Community Care Expansion Program was on total bed count rather than room count. Davis said the city’s objective design and development standards adopted in 2023 require one parking space per residential unit and that the predevelopment team is assessing EV charger requirements and site parking constraints.

An attendee from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, Vibila Blossoming Bear, offered public comment in support of the project and described tribal sovereignty and higher barriers tribes face in addressing homelessness. Another participant, identified as Dave Rappaport, spoke about legal principles the speaker said support tribal preference in programs limited to tribes.

The presentation was received by the council for information; no council action on entitlements or funding was recorded at the meeting. City staff and Northern Circle said they will continue outreach and return with updates as plans progress.