HUD AND CONGRESSMAN SULLIVAN PRESENT CHECK FOR $968,040 IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS TO THE DELAWARE TRIBE IN OKLAHOMA

TULSA, OK - Wayne Sims, Administrator of HUD's Southern Plains Office of Native American Programs, Congressman John Sullivan and HUD Tulsa Field Office Director Lyn Larson presented Delaware Tribe Assistant Chief Jerry Douglas and Tribe Councilmember Wayne Stalls with a check for $968,040 in federal assistance to promote affordable
housing. The event took place today at Congressman Sullivan's new offices in Bartlesville.

"These grants do so much good for so many people," Sims said. "This money will allow the tribe to construct affordable housing and provide downpayment assistance, home repairs and rental and emergency homeless
assistance to tribal members and other Native Americans living in the tribe's five-county region."

"Grants such as this are vital to many organizations," said Congressman Sullivan. "These funds provide precious resources to the Delaware Tribe that in many cases, they would not have access to. My office has made a commitment to groups such as this to assist in securing funds whenever possible."

The funding announced today falls under 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.

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
and espanol.hud.gov.

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