HUD No. 04-WA-23 Pamela Negri (206) 220-5356 |
For Release Thursday August 12, 2004 |
BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEARLY $1.4 MILLION IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING GRANTS FOR THREE WASHINGTON TRIBES
SEATTLE - The Kalispel Tribe, the Spokane
Indian Housing Authority, and the Stillaguamish Tribal Housing Authority will
receive a total of $1,387,516 in federal assistance to promote affordable housing,
Housing and Urban
Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced today. The
Kalispel Tribe will receive $138,146; the Spokane Indian Housing Authority will
receive $1,054,935; and, the Stillaguamish Tribal Housing Authority will receive
$194,435.
"These grants do so much good for so many people," Jackson said. "This money
helps Native American communities
do the critical work of providing affordable
housing and helping our most vulnerable neighbors."
The funding announced today is provided through HUD's Indian Housing Block
Grant (IHBG) Program, which assists 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.
"NAHASDA funds have supported construction of affordable housing for Washington tribes
over the years," said
John W. Meyers, HUD's Regional Director, "and
we're pleased to allocate these funds to further promote affordable housing
for these Washington tribes."
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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