By Dennis Wagner | The Republic
The Navajo Nation’s longtime housing director is stepping down amid scathing criticism from the tribal president following an Arizona Republic investigation that showed few new homes have been built despite hundreds of millions of U.S. tax dollars spent.
The ouster of Aneva “A.J.” Yazzie, chief executive for the Navajo Housing Authority, culminated a series of conflicting news releases issued this week by President Russell Begaye and the housing agency’s board.
According to the most recent statement from NHA commissioners, Yazzie will step down Friday after nearly a decade leading tribal housing efforts.
“NHA must restore trust with the people we serve by promoting transparency, communication, efficiency and accountability,” said a joint comment by commission President Kris Beecher and members Sean McCabe and Derrith Watchman-Moore. “Part of that process includes looking at NHA as a whole and determining a new direction. …”
Yazzie could not be reached for comment.
