NOOKSACK, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Nooksack Tribal Court released the final ruling on an ongoing case regarding Tribal housing.

In a statement released on Thursday, Oct. 17, the Nooksack Tribal Council says the Tribe will extend an offer for two more months of housing to seven evicted families.

Three years ago, the Nooksack Tribe began working to evict these families after changing their housing policies in 2021. The statement says the seven families have until Dec. 31 to leave their homes, remove their personal belongings and “become current with all debts.”

Nooksack Indian Housing Authority has claimed that the houses are owned by the Nooksack nation and the occupants are being evicted because they are not classified as Nooksack citizens. The council states that there are over 200 Tribal members on the waiting list for housing.

However, an article by Indian Country Today claims that the seven households were supported by federal programs designed to create homeownership for Native people across the state. It also says that after 15 years the families would have been able to receive the deed to their home under the Eventual Tenant Ownership program, and all occupants have exceeded the 15-year mark.

The seven families have argued against Nooksack attorneys that they own the homes for the last three years.

They have until Oct. 31 to respond to the court’s ruling.