HUD AWARDS $1.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN MINNESOTA
Grants support critical projects in tribal areas to address housing, community development and jobs

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $600,000 to each of two tribal communities in Minnesota to improve housing conditions, promote community development and to spur local economies with construction projects and jobs. The competitive grants awarded are part of HUD's Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program that addresses a wide variety of community development and affordable housing activities for low- to moderate-income families.

"These grants are a step forward in forging solutions to improve the housing and economic conditions for some of our country's most culturally rich neighborhoods," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "I'm impressed at the energy and creativity in how these communities are leveraging public funds to create lasting solutions for countless families."

"This funding is an investment to promote neighborhood development and increase affordable housing while encouraging economic growth for our tribal communities in Minnesota," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.

The grants to Minnesota are part of $56 million HUD awarded today to tribal communities throughout the nation. The recipients will use these grants to develop viable communities including rehabilitating housing or building new homes or to purchase land to support new housing construction. The funding can also be used to build infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer facilities. To stimulate economic development and job growth, recipients use the grants to establish commercial, industrial and agricultural projects. Recipients also use the funding to build community and health centers, or to start businesses to support the community including shopping centers, manufacturing plants, restaurants or convenience stores and gas stations. Specific examples of this sort of economic and community development include:

BOIS FORTE BAND OF THE MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE (MN)

The Bois Forte Band will use its $600,000 grant to create pow-wow grounds in order to host pow-wows on land that has proper drainage, seating, and space for vendors. This project will also create a softball field for tribal members to use for recreational activities.

WHITE EARTH BAND OF MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE (MN)

The tribe will use its grant of $600,000 to fund the Health Building Addition. The project will expand the current nursing and mental health offices and provide space for new personnel. The 5,000 square feet addition will house 35 staff members, alleviate the current overcrowded conditions, and expand the services provided to community residents.

The ICDBG program was established in 1977 to help Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages to meet their community development needs. Federally recognized tribes, bands, groups, nations or eligible tribal organizations compete for this funding.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.