HUD AWARDS $600,000 TO AKWESASNE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $600,000 to the Native American Akwesasne Housing Authority in Hogansburg, New York to provide solar power for a local housing complex and to stimulate community development through construction projects and local jobs for low- and moderate-income families. The grant was the only funding provided in New York State through HUD's Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program, which supports a wide range of community development and affordable housing activities.

"Every family deserves the chance to have a decent home, economic opportunity and vibrant neighborhoods to call their own," said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. "Today we make another critical investment in helping tribal nations address affordable housing and community development needs in their communities."

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

"The goal of the ICDBG program is to develop viable Indian and Alaska Native communities, including decent housing, suitable living environments, and economic opportunities," said HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. "Awardees can use the funding to rehabilitate or build new housing or to buy land for housing; for infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer facilities; and to spur economic development including jobs."

The Akwesasne Housing Authority is receiving a grant of $600,000 for a housing rehabilitation project that will provide solar generated power to the Sunrise Acres housing complex. Excess power generated by the solar panels will be used to provide electricity to housing units developed by the housing authority in future years.

HUD administers six programs that are specifically targeted to American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian individuals and families, and federally recognized tribal governments. Through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), HUD will provide more than $718 million to fund programs to support housing and development initiatives in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Through innovative programming, American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments have created sustainable and community-driven solutions to their housing and community development challenges.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

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