Navajo Nation president pushes back on homebuilding funds, expects company to deliver 80 houses

The president of the Navajo Nation is pushing back against accusations he said were raised by the legislative council that millions of dollars went missing when a homebuilding factory closed down and laid off hundreds of Navajo employees last month.

President Buu Nygren said on social media he has nothing to hide.

He said there are two pools of money. First, he said, he ended a $24 million grant intended for ZenniHome’s modular houses after unspecified communities objected to the use of the money. He says that money remains with the tribe.

Nygren said the tribe also hired a Navajo-owned firm to build 160 houses. That firm then subcontracted with ZenniHome. He said the contract was halved to just 80 houses and that he expects ZenniHome to deliver what the tribe paid for.

ZenniHome CEO Bob Worsley said the company was paid $22 million as a deposit for a $44 million contract for 160 homes before the contract was halved.

"They reduced that contract to 80 homes on July 3rd and indicated they would not pay more money than the deposit. We had been ramping the production and had not reached break-even so we were behind in homes produced at the factory. We informed them that we had lost a ton of money ramping the factory," he wrote in response.

KJZZ asked him if ZenniHome intended to complete the 80 homes.

"We are trying to figure that out," he responded. "We planned to but the fire this week set us back."

A fire at the ZenniHome facility in Snowflake this week is being investigated.

"If DOJ opens an investigation, I will comply because I believe in government stability and transparency for the Navajo people. I have nothing to hide, and there is no question in my mind that the Executive Branch took all required steps to comply with all legal, administrative, and financial review processes," Nygren said.