BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $500,000 IN HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN MAINE

BANGOR, ME - The Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation will receive $500,000 in federal assistance to
stimulate its economy and promote affordable housing, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez announced today. The funding announced today is provided through HUD's Indian Community Development Block
Grant (ICDBG) program.

"This grant will do so much good for the Passamaquoddy people," Martinez said. "This money helps tribal communities do the critical work of stimulating business development and job growth, providing affordable housing and helping our most vulnerable neighbors."

The ICDBG program provides Native American communities with direct grants that offer economic opportunities, primarily for low- and moderate-income persons. Native American or Alaskan Native communities can use the funding to improve roads, water and sewer facilities and to build community buildings. These communities can also use the funds to rehabilitate housing, purchase land for new home construction and, under certain circumstances, to construct new homes. For more information, visit HUD's ICDBG Program.

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 at www.hud.gov.

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