Peer to peer research on Yakama reservation shows environmental household problems, overcrowding and community concerns

The Yakama Nation Tribal Council in Washington hired Applied Survey Research (ASR) to help conduct a rare peer-to-peer assessment of Indian households on the Yakama Reservation and along the Columbia River. The goal of the assessment was to profile overcrowding, housing conditions, household problems, community concerns, and homelessness. ASR trained 9 Yakama tribe members to conduct door to door household survey interviews with an ordered sample of enrolled Yakamas and any enrolled Native Americans living on the Reservation, and a convenience sample of Yakama households living near the Columbia River. A total of 659 surveys were collected representing 2,637 household members. Data showed that:

• 76% of respondents said they had household problems including structural problems (40%), mold (35%), paint (32%), infestations (29%), plumbing problems (18%), waste and sewage issues (10%). • Respondents were most concerned about: public safety (79%), health care (76%), homelessness (75%), children (69%), employment (66%), and education (65%). 86% said they used the Indian Health Service. • Approximately two-thirds of respondents felt they had “no influence at all” over any issues including housing, health, politics, schools, crime, neighborhood cleanliness, community celebrations or sports. • Using the HUD standard, nearly 32% of households were overcrowded, compared to just 1.3% of households in the county overall. • Median annual household income was $17,790, as compared to Yakima County at $43,639.