HUD AWARDS THE WINNEBAGO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION $1,428,686 IN GRANTS TO IMPROVE HOUSING CONDITIONS FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

OMAHA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded the Winnebago Housing and Development Commission $1,428,686 in grants today to improve housing conditions for Native American families.

"This funding helps tribal communities provide decent, safe, affordable housing for its members," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, who announced the funding today. "HUD is proud to partner with tribal governments in our efforts
to provide quality housing to Native Americans."

The funding announced today is provided through 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.

Since 1998, HUD has distributed more than $600 million each year under this program to the 562 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. This needs-based grant empower tribal governments to determine how best to use the funding to address the specific housing needs in their local communities.

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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.