In the News: Six new Elders duplexes coming to Waller Road community

Posted:
August 3, 2026
Puyallup Tribe of Indians Website
By Corvo Rohwer, Puyallup Tribal News

Ground was broken near Waller Road in Tacoma on July 27 to mark the construction of six new Elders duplexes, with work on the site scheduled to begin the first week of August.

Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman Bill Sterud and Councilmembers Sylvia Miller, Annette Bryan and Fred Dillon joined the Housing Department staff in taking up the ceremonial shovels to dig into the dirt, marking the start of what will soon be 12 new Tribal housing units.

Miller said she is excited about the opportunity to give back to the community, and expressed gratitude for all of the hard work put in to take care of the Elders within the community.

“There are struggles that our people have been through, the struggles of having their homes and lands and everything taken from them,” Miller said. “But today, everyone that worked on this project can be proud that you are able to give something back to these Elders, and know that we appreciate you.”

The homes will be built adjacent to the five existing Elders duplexes, and are funded by a combination of dollars from the Indian Community Development Block Grant, the American Rescue Plan and the Indian Housing Block Grant.

The project will be completed by Mountain Construction, with President Mike Mayer thanking Tribal Council and the Housing Department for the opportunity to create new homes for Elders.

“This is a really cool project, and one that has a lot of meaning for everyone here,” Mayer said. “We are grateful, and we will work tirelessly to ensure this project is a success.”

HUD Housing Director Joanne Gutierrez said these single-story, two-bedroom duplexes will be built with Elders in mind, with accessibility being a focus throughout the units. These features include ADA bathrooms with grab bars, lower light switches throughout the units and forward-facing appliance controls. The building plans also include a gazebo centrally located in the housing community and will be available for all residents to use.

“This is a nice neighborhood, and I’m really proud knowing that there is going to be a beautiful place here,” Sterud said. “This will soon be a roof over a head and a place for a family, that’s about as great as it can be.”

Construction on the homes is estimated to take approximately 12 months. Tenants will be selected from the HUD Housing Department waiting lists upon completion.