September 14, 2026 3:20 a.m. 

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians have announced a significant step forward to expand housing options for local Tribal families, with the added benefit of relieving wider stress on housing availability in Douglas County.

A release from the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe said that they have been awarded a $4.9 million Indian Housing Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the construction and planning of more affordable housing for Tribal members.

The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe plans to use the funds to build seven newly constructed single-family homes in the Wìli Tribal Housing neighborhood located in Myrtle Creek. The homes are slated to have two-bedrooms and two-bathrooms, and be accessibility capable, with the entire project completed by September 2029.

Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal Chairman Carla Keene said, “Affordable housing for our Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal citizens is such a crucial component of self-sufficiency.” Keene said, “It helps families and individuals feel a sense of security, stability, tradition, and provides a place for lasting, living memories. We are thrilled to receive this generous grant and look forward to the positive contributions it will make in Douglas County.”

Just days after that news was received, Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal leaders gathered to mark the groundbreaking for a new four-plex in the same Wìli Tribal Housing neighborhood. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom units are expected to be ready to be rented to Tribal families by early 2028.