The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Thursday announced 83 awards totaling $147 million for affordable housing and community development projects that primarily benefit people with low and moderate incomes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
“Every person deserves a fair shot to get ahead-one that includes access to safe, affordable housing and a vibrant community,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “That is why we are pleased to make over 80 awards to American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the country so that they can build new housing and solve their most pressing housing and economic challenges. These funds are an important investment in Tribal communities that need it most.”
HUD awarded $95 million to 24 communities through the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive Program to help Tribes develop affordable housing. Grant funds may be used for new construction, rehabilitation, and infrastructure to support affordable housing on Indian reservations and in other Indian areas. View the list of awardees here.
HUD also awarded almost $52 million to 59 communities through the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program to develop community facilities, carry out public works projects, and provide economic development assistance. View the list of awardees here.
The IHBG and ICDBG funds will be used to support projects on Tribal lands across the country, such as:
- New affordable housing and rehabilitation of existing housing units
- A community center that will provide services to homeless Tribal members
- A new building for a local Boys & Girls Club
- Rehabilitation of apartment buildings for elders
Background:
In January 2017, HUD released a study entitled, “Housing Needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Tribal Areas: A Report from the Assessment of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing Needs.” Among the findings, the study found that housing conditions for Tribal households are substantially worse than other U.S. households, with overcrowding in Tribal areas being especially severe. The study noted that in the 2013-2015 period alone, 68,000 new units would have been necessary to help eliminate overcrowding and replace physically deteriorating units. View the report here.