BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $662,418 IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING GRANTS FOR TWO ALASKA TRIBES

ANCHORAGE - Two Alaska tribes will receive $662,418 in federal assistance to promote affordable housing, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced today. The Alatna tribe will receive $69,421 and the Knik tribe will receive $592,997.

"These grants do so much good for so many people," Jackson said. "This money helps Native American communities
do the critical work of providing affordable housing and helping our most vulnerable neighbors."

The funding announced today falls under HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program, which provides tribes or tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) with funds for a full range of affordable housing programs, including housing development; modernization; management services and operating assistance; housing counseling; crime prevention; and safety training and technical assistance. The block grant approach to housing for Native Americans was created in 1996, when the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) was passed by Congress, giving tribes the authority to determine how funds should be used to address the specific
needs of their communities.

"NAHASDA funds have supported a good deal of affordable housing development in rural Alaska over the years," said Colleen Bickford, Alaska's field office director, "and we're pleased that Congress has again committed these funds to create additional housing and to provide other affordable housing opportunities. The funds are sorely needed."

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as
enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

###