Native News Network
(6/13/2013 12:58 PM, Native News Network Staff in Native Currents)

WASHINGTON – Some 353 American Indian and Alaskan Native entities that represent 539 tribes across the United States were awarded $563 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, on Wednesday.

The funds are being provided through HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant Program. These funds are distributed annually to eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entities for a broad range of affordable housing activities.

"Hardworking American families in tribal communities should be able to live in"

"The resources provided today will give these tribal communities the tools to maintain quality housing, prevent overcrowding, improve public safety and provide other basic building blocks of security and success." - Shaun Donovan.

Indian Housing Block Grant Program funds primarily benefit hardworking families, living on reservations or in other Native American communities, who don't have the financial resources to maintain good homes, schools, or other key contributors to economic security. The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the tribe or designated entity.

Indian communities can use the funding for a variety of housing activities, including building affordable housing, providing assistance to existing housing that was developed under the Indian Housing Program authorized by the US Housing Act of 1937, or other activities that create new approaches to provide more affordable housing for Native Americans. The funding is also used to offer housing services to eligible families and individuals, and establish crime prevention and safety measures. The block grant approach to housing was established by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996.