BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS ALMOST $6.7 MILLION IN HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO 12 ALASKAN NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS

SEATTLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the award of $6,681,548 to
12 Alaskan native organizations and villages to produce new and rehabilitate existing housing and improve community facilities including a Head Start center, new water and sewer lines and a senior center.

The winners of 2008 HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) funds are the Akiachak Native Community, Native Village of Aleknagik, Arctic Village, Chilkoot Indian Association, Native Village of Gakona, Gulkana Village, Metlakatla Indian Community, Native Village of Nikolski, Native Village of Noatak, Noorvik Native Community, Village of Venetie and the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe. Forty-one Alaska organizations competed for 2008 ICDBG funds in Alaska.

The funds will be used to build 16 new homes, rehabilitate more than 70 homes, fund the construction of a Head
Start center and a senior center and lay new water and sewer lines. Over the last decade, the ICDBG program has awarded $65.5 million in ICDBG funds to Alaska Native villages and tribal organizations.

"The hallmark of our ICDBG program is a flexibility that allows communities to decide how, with Federal funds, they
can most quickly and effectively meet their most urgent needs," said HUD Regional Director John Meyers.  "We are very pleased to be able to provide these bricks-and-mortar funds to help these organizations build stronger, more prosperous communities."

The ICDBG program provides Native American and Native Alaskan communities with direct grants that offer opportunities for principally low- and moderate-income persons. The funds can be used to improve roads, install
water and sewer systems, build community buildings and preserve or expand the supply of affordable housing. More information about the ICDBG program.

In Alaska, the ICDBG program is administered by HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs in Anchorage.

2008 Indian Community Development Block Grant Winners in Alaska

###

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