BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES OVER $1.6 MILLION IN HOUSING FUNDS FOR TWO NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING PROGRAMS IN NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Two tribally designated housing agencies in New Mexico will receive $1,651,026 in federal assistance to promote affordable housing and assist families in need, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez announced today.

"These grants do so much good for so many people," Martinez said. "This money helps Native American communities do the critical work of providing affordable housing and helping those in need."

The funds announced today are provided through the Indian Housing Block Grant program (IHBG) to following
entities:

• $1,127,949 for the Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority; and,
• $523,077 for the Santa Clara Pueblo Housing Authority.

The IHBG program allows tribes or tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) to provide a range of affordable
housing activities on a reservation or Indian area. The block grant approach to housing for Native Americans was authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996. The tribes
or TDHEs are empowered with the responsibility of determining how those funds should be used to address needs specific to their own communities.

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.

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Note to editors: Communities that choose to receive their block grants at other times of the year are not
included in today's announcement.