HUD SECRETARY DONOVAN AWARDS THREE NEW MEXICO GRANTEES OVER $2.7 MILLION TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Rural Innovation Grants to Pueblos will create jobs, build housing, and stimulate the economy

ALBUQUERQUE - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan in Albuquerque today announced three grant awards totaling $2,759,997 for the Northern Pueblos Housing Authority, the San Felipe Pueblo Housing Authority, and the Taos Pueblo. The grants are part of a national effort to address distressed housing conditions and concentrated poverty. Secretary Donovan said the grants from HUD's new Rural Innovation Fund promote an 'entrepreneurial approach' to affordable housing and economic development in rural areas. Overall, $28 million was awarded to 46 rural and tribal communities throughout the nation.

"Rural America is vast and diverse, and different communities face different challenges and opportunities," said Secretary Donovan. "Because there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to strengthening rural communities, this funding provides flexible resources to address either housing or economic development needs, or both. This is especially important for communities that may have more limited access to resources because of their distant locations. These are catalytic projects that will have an impact on their communities for generations to come."

The Northern Pueblos Housing Authority (NPHA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico will receive a Rural Innovation Fund Single Purpose grant in the amount $300,000 to reduce the dilapidated housing conditions and overcrowding on Picuris Pueblo by rehabilitating four homes. The rehabilitation of the historic adobe homes will include accessibility improvements, universal design features, and will meet New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority's Green Building standards. NPHA will also address the high rate of poverty and lack of high-paying employment through job training programs that will be implemented with the assistance of regional entities. In addition to construction job opportunities made available during the home rehabilitation, NPHA will mentor two Tribal members in project and construction management. NPHA will work with the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative to improve access to behavioral and health services for tribal members. Leveraging for this project is $161,044.

The San Felipe Pueblo Housing Authority (SFPHA) in San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico will receive a Rural Innovation Fund Comprehensive grant in the amount of $1,660,000 to build twelve affordable units of housing while creating 30 jobs. The project will increase the quality of life for over 115 Tribal members living in substandard conditions. Partners include the Pueblo of San Felipe tribal council, the Tribal Administration, Pueblo of San Felipe Public Improvement Authority and the SFPHA Board of Commissioners and Tribal Departments.

The Taos Pueblo in Taos, New Mexico will receive a Rural Innovation Fund Indian Economic Development and Entrepreneurship grant in the amount $799,997. The Taos Pueblo Preservation Project (TPPP) will start a nine-year mission to rehabilitate 320 housing units. Within the spectrum of the Rural Innovation Funding, the Taos Pueblo will rehabilitate 52 traditional multi-use spaces in the Old Village that will be used as housing, retail space, and traditional cultural activities. These efforts will also provide education and training for tribe members and facilitate branding and marketing of Pueblo products. Partners for the project include several public and private entities, Taos Pueblo War Chief's Office, Taos Pueblo Cultural Preservation Office, Red Willows Community Grown Cooperative, and the New Mexico Small Business Development Center. Leveraging for this project is $625,104.

HUD awarded Rural Innovation Fund grants in three categories nationwide:

• Comprehensive Grants - 7 Comprehensive grants nationwide, in which grantees have examined the social, housing and economic needs and resources of their target areas and made proposals that address these needs through activities that will have sustained benefit and resources after HUD assistance is used. The maximum grant amount was $2,000,000 for this category. The San Felipe Housing Authority grant falls in this category.
  
  
• Single Purpose Grants - 32 Single Purpose grants nationwide, for more targeted initiatives, which typically focus primarily on either housing or economic development. The Northern Pueblos Housing Authority grant falls in this category.
  
  
• Economic Development and Entrepreneurship for Federally Recognized Tribes - 8 Indian Economic Development and Entrepreneurship grants nationwide, awarded from $5 million set aside for applications for federally recognized Indian tribes. The Taos Pueblo grant falls in this category.

Highlights of the Awards nationwide include:

• 19 states are represented among the service areas, including New Mexico.
  
  
• 27 awardees - over half - are tribes or tribal affiliates nationwide. Tribal organizations were competitive in all categories under the NOFA.
  
  
• 789 housing units are proposed for low income beneficiaries nationwide.
  
  
• 655 total jobs will be created through activities assisted by the grants nationwide. Jobs include 178 construction jobs and 460 permanent jobs nationwide.
  
  
• Grantees have proposed to leverage over $18 million in other funds for their respective projects.

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