{"id":7405,"date":"2025-03-31T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridalt.wpenginepowered.com\/the-current\/bidu-khaale-housing-project\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T19:14:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T23:14:09","slug":"bidu-khaale-housing-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/es\/the-current\/bidu-khaale-housing-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Bi\u2019du Khaale Housing Project"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By <\/strong><strong><u>Kelsey Radmilovic<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Renewable Energy as a Pathway to Sustainability and Resilience<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Bi\u2019du Khaale housing project, led by Project Manager David Smith-Ferri with the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, is transforming the lives of 24 tribal elders by providing safe, affordable housing in Cloverdale, California. An integral component of the Bi\u2019du Khaale project is the incorporation of rooftop solar systems and battery backup for all homes, the on-site residential manager\u2019s unit, and the Community Center. This effort, achieved through a strong partnership with GRID Alternatives Bay Area North Coast (BANC), reduces long-term utility costs for residents\u2014many of whom are on fixed incomes\u2014and strengthens resilience against power outages, which are increasingly common in fire-prone areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUtility costs keep going up, and we have no reason to think they\u2019ll stop,\u201d Smith-Ferri says. \u201cBy providing solar and battery backup, we\u2019re helping elders live within their budgets while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the risk of wildfires by undergrounding all utilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Empowering Through Workforce Development<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"migrated-inline-image\" alt=\"Kerri Lozinto, IBT trainee standing next to Bay Area's North Coast team members, Cora Saxton and Robbin Parrott\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-136_0-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/p>\n<p>Another highlight of the Bi\u2019du Khaale project has been the inclusion of a robust workforce development component, providing Tribal members with the opportunity to gain hands-on solar installation experience. Through GRID Alternatives\u2019 Installation Basics Training (IBT) program, participants took online classes followed by practical, on-the-ground training.<\/p>\n<p>David recalls seeing Elsa Navarro, one of the trainees, at a tribal membership meeting after completing her training. \u201cIt was clear how much this opportunity meant to her\u2014her confidence, her pride as a Tribal member contributing to an important project. It was all real.\u201d Another trainee, Kerry Lozinto, leveraged her training and experience on-site to secure full-time employment with a contractor, illustrating the tangible career opportunities made possible through this partnership.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Vision Rooted in Community and Sovereignty<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This project began six years ago when a large-scale survey revealed that housing for elders was the #1 priority for Tribal members. Recognizing the dire need\u2014where many elders were living in substandard conditions or overcrowded households \u2014the Tribe took action. Since the Tribe\u2019s original 75-acre rancheria is on steep, rugged, and unsuitable land, the Dry Creek Rancheria purchased land in Cloverdale and initiated the process of annexation, development, and community planning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis project is not only about providing safe housing,\u201d David explains. \u201cIt\u2019s about reconstituting the community and restoring a sense of belonging and security that was lost when the Tribe was displaced from its land.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Wildfires, unpredictable rainfall, extreme heat, and record-breaking storms are now a regular occurrence. Cloverdale, where the Bi\u2019du Khaale community is located, experiences some of the highest temperatures in Sonoma County, with recent summers hitting a staggering 117\u00b0F.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese homes will protect elders from the worst effects of extreme weather,\u201d David shares. \u201cWith newly built stormwater systems, reliable indoor climate control, and solar systems with battery backup, these homes offer a safeguard against environmental challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>David expressed deep gratitude for the collaboration with GRID Alternatives, highlighting the professionalism and adaptability the BANC team demonstrated throughout the project. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love working with GRID,\u201d David said. \u201cThe Tribe is fortunate to have built this connection. GRID\u2019s professionalism and flexibility have been essential in making this project successful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Projects like Bi\u2019du Khaale are not just about providing housing or installing solar panels\u2014they are a reflection of the Tribe\u2019s exercise of sovereignty. Discover More About Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians <a href=\"https:\/\/drycreekrancheria.com\/\">https:\/\/drycreekrancheria.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"migrated-inline-image\" alt=\"GRID Bay Area North Coast installing Solar Photovoltaic at the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians Community Center.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/untitled-231_0-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Restoring Community and Empowering Tribal Members<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":6205,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"audience":[],"content-type":[12],"focus-area":[31,20,35],"region":[15],"series":[],"content-author":[],"class_list":["post-7405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","content-type-news","focus-area-environmental-justice","focus-area-job-training","focus-area-tribal-program","region-northern-california"],"acf":{"hero_media_type":"image","hero_media_image":null,"hero_media_url":"","hero_media_poster":null,"hero_video_play":"inline","related_stories":null,"pattern_override":null,"story_callouts":null,"media":null,"featured_blog_post":null,"featured_event":null,"pdf_download":null,"blockquote":null,"author":null,"notice":null,"social_embed":null,"contact_card":null,"meta_details":null,"faq":null,"table":null},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - 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