BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS OVER $1 MILLION TO BOOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB GROWTH IN RURAL WASHINGTON
Funds will help produce affordable housing in Washington

SEATTLE - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced $1,081,082 in grants to help
four communities in Washington to stimulate local economies, produce more affordable housing, and boost job
growth. The funding is provided through HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development Program and is part of
a total $24.5 million awarded to more than 100 rural communities nationwide.

In addition, these grants are expected to generate nearly $48 million from other public and private sources to
further promote economic development and employment.

Grants were awarded to: Spokane Tribe of Indians, The Alesek Institute, World Vision, Inc., and Southern Puget Sound Inter-Tribal Housing Authority. (See descriptions of Washington grants below.)

"This investment in rural America demonstrates that this Administration's commitment to our nation's heartland is strong," said Jackson. "These grants will help rural communities across Washington produce affordable housing and jobs where they're needed most."

Rural Housing and Economic Development grants help pay for land acquisition, new home construction, housing demolition, infrastructure improvements, and construction training. Other possible uses include homeownership and financial counseling; financial assistance to homeowners, businesses and developers; creating microenterprises and small business incubators; and, establishing lines of credit or revolving loan pools to benefit the local business community.

Rural non-profit organizations, federally recognized Native American tribes, community development corporations
and state agencies will administer these grants. The funding will help 105 rural communities to build and improve affordable housing, create jobs and generate community and economic development.

Rural communities will use this funding as seed money to pay the start-up costs for housing or economic
development projects. These grants will also help organizations to hire and train their staffs, develop strategic
plans and acquire office space and other needed facilities.

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 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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Spokane Tribe of Indians will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Capacity Building grant award in the amount of $150,000. This Capacity award will be used to build economic and housing infrastructure that can support members while connecting its developmental activities. They are proposing to use funds to assist in the Airway Heights property development. This project will assist expanding businesses as well as new business enterprises. This project will also be in accordance with their master plan to provide incubator and a small business development center. Proposed leveraging for this project is $55,942.
Contact Person:      David Ernst
Grantee Address:     P. O. Box 1000, Wellprinit, WA 99040
Telephone Number:  (509) 458-6500

The Alesek Institute will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Capacity Building grant award in the amount of $136,070. This Capacity Building award will be used to address the housing needs of the south Puget Sound Native community. They are proposing to expand their services into the housing development arena. They
are focusing on three components: training their staff, leveraging resources, and assessing affordable housing for
their community. Partners in this venture are: We He Lut Indian School, and the Franks Landing Indian Community. Proposed leveraging for this project is $68,681.
Contact Person:      Elizabeth Tail
Grantee Address:    5009 Pacific Highway, East, Suite 9-0, Fife, WA 98424
Telephone Number:  (253) 922-7988

World Vision, Inc. will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative Support grant award in the amount of $400,000. This Innovative Support award will be used to strengthen and expand the operations of "The Storehouse of Vision Appalachia" one their innovative community based projects that procures and distributes new donated products, primarily building materials to under resources communities in the Appalachian Region. These building materials will be useful to those impoverished families to both rehabilitate and to construct homes that are safe for habitation. Proposed leveraging for this project is over two million dollars.
Contact Person:      Kimberlee LaGree
Grantee Address:    34834 Weyerhaeuser Way, South, Federal Way, WA 98063
Telephone Number:  (202) 608-1800 (in Washington, D.C.)

Southern Puget Sound Inter-Tribal Housing Authority will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative Support grant award in the amount of $395,012. This Innovative Support award will be used to lessen
the overcrowding conditions of substandard housing for the Skokomish Reservation. The funds will be used to rehab and construct homes to meet the growing problem of declining housing stock on the reservation. They are planning
to do major rehab work to bring their housing stock up to standard conditions for a healthy and safe population. Proposed leveraging for this project is $399,840.
Contact Person:      Dave Bell
Grantee Address:    S.E. 11 Squaxin Drive, Shelton, WA 98584
Telephone Number:  (360) 426-4641