By ABBY TAYLOR
Native American Community Clinic officially opened the doors to its new clinic on
September 15th , bringing a long-held vision for expanded access to healthcare, culture,
and healing to life.
When NACC began planning the new clinic, we saw an opportunity to think bigger about
how this land could serve the community. We knew we needed more space to provide
care, but we also knew that access to safe, affordable housing is one of the most
significant challenges facing the people and families we serve. Rather than build a clinic
alone, we believed the highest and best use of the site was to create affordable housing
above it.
To make that vision possible, NACC partnered with our friends at Wellington
Management, who developed, own, and manage the 83 affordable housing units
located above the clinic. NACC owns and operates the clinic on the lower floors. These
are separate organizations brought together by a shared belief that stable housing and
good health are deeply connected.
NACC’s new 40,000-square-foot clinic allows us to serve more patients, expand
integrated services, and provide a culturally safe and welcoming place for care. Medical,
dental, behavioral health, substance use disorder services, harm reduction, traditional
healing, and other supports come together in a model that recognizes culture,
connection, and community as essential to whole-person wellness.
Above the clinic is Wihinapȟe, pronounced wee-hee-NAH-peh, meaning “Sunrise, a
New Day” in Lakota. Owned and managed by Wellington Management, Wihinapȟe
includes 83 affordable homes, including 11 units supported through the Section 811
program.
While the clinic and housing have separate ownership and responsibilities, putting them
together was intentional. NACC has long understood that what happens outside the
exam room has an enormous impact on health. Housing stability, access to benefits and
services, transportation, food, culture, family, and community all shape whether people
can be well.
The new campus reflects that understanding. It creates more access to healthcare while
adding 83 much-needed affordable homes to the neighborhood, with NACC and
Wellington each bringing their expertise and carrying responsibility for their respective
parts of the campus.
This is more than a new building. It represents what becomes possible when
healthcare, housing, culture, and community are considered together. It is an
investment in a healthier future for the people, families, and community we serve.
