The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Wednesday 22 awards totaling approximately $128 million for affordable housing investments in Tribal communities. HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge made the announcement at the Kenaitze Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Learning Center in Kenai where she presented $7.5 million to the Kenaitze-Salamatof to build 18 new housing units to increase the number of homes available to low-income Alaskan Native families.
“This vital funding allows Tribes to make investments in safe, affordable housing,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “I am pleased to make this announcement here in Kenai, Alaska, where Tribes face pressing and unique challenges in providing housing to families. Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive awards provide Tribes with funding to address these challenges in ways that best serve their communities.”
The Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive (IHBG) funds play a crucial role in bolstering vibrant American Indian and Alaska Native communities. These funds are designated for various purposes, such as new construction, rehabilitation, and infrastructure to support affordable housing within Indian reservations and similar areas. The IHBG Competitive program holds particular significance for Tribal communities as it injects essential financial resources that aid in establishing new affordable housing options for disadvantaged Tribal families.
“This investment we estimate will support at least 400 new or acquired homeownership and rental units in tribal communities across this nation,” said Secretary Fudge. “I know that you will use this funding to do great things for your people. We are always here to be supportive and I want you to know in an environment in which we find ourselves today, for us to find seven and a half million dollars to help you do housing is significant, not just for HUD, but for this nation to recognize the importance of people living decent, living in a good home.”
This funding serves as a valuable addition to the yearly IHBG formula funding, which often falls short in covering the expenses of constructing new homes and is typically allocated for the operation and upkeep of current housing. Notably, since 2019, the IHBG Competitive grants awarded to Tribes have surpassed the corresponding IHBG Formula grants by an average of 67 percent. Furthermore, 94 percent of these awards have been channeled towards supporting the construction of new housing units, addressing a pressing need across Indian country.
Today, in furtherance of the Federal Government’s trust responsibility, HUD makes another investment in Tribal communities by awarding $128 million to 22 communities through the Competitive Program.View the list of awardees here.
*Audio and picture courtesy of Alaska’s News Source