HUD Region V No. 11-25 Lee Jones (206) 220-5356 (work) (804) 363-7018 (cell) |
For Release Wednesday March 23, 2011 |
HUD AWARDS $1.9 MILLION TO FOUR TRIBES IN WASHINGTON STATE FOR HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jamestown S'Klallam, Lummi, Port Gamble S'Klallam & Squaxin Island Tribes Among 50 Winners Nationwide
SEATTLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development competitively awarded a total of $1,941,309 in Indian Community Development Block Grants to the Jamestown S'Klallam, Port Gamble S'Klallam and Squaxin Island tribes and the Lummi Nation Housing Authority to promote housing and community.
The awards were among 50 competitive grants to tribes and Alaska native villages totaling $33,637,343 announced
by HUD today. Established in 1977, the ICDBG program supports a wide variety of community development and affordable housing activities. Federally recognized Indian tribes, bands, groups or nations (including Alaska Indian, Aleuts and Eskimo) or Alaska Native villages compete for this funding.
The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe won $442,341 and will use the funds to upgrade and expand its water distribution system. The Lummi Nation Housing Authority won $500,000 and will use the funds to develop lots and infrastructure for 16 affordable housing units. The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe won $500,000 and will use the funds to build a new early childhood education center. The Squaxin Island Tribe won $498,968 and will use the funds to design and build a more than 18,000 square-foot community center.
"This funding helps our country's Native American and Alaska Native communities improve the living conditions for hard-working families who need the most help," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "This is an investment to
promote neighborhood development, produce affordable housing, and help create much-needed jobs."
"This funding is as critical to meeting the needs of these communities as they would be in a large, urban center,"
said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Mary McBride. "We look forward to working with these organizations as they continue to move forward in meeting the unique challenges and circumstances they face."
The recipients will use the funding to develop viable communities, including rehabilitating housing or building new housing or to buy land to support new housing construction. The funding can also used to build infrastructure such
as roads, water and sewer facilities, to create suitable living environments. To spur economic development,
recipients use the grants to establish a wide variety of commercial, industrial and agricultural projects. Recipients have used the funding to build community and health centers, or to start businesses to support the community, such as shopping centers, manufacturing plants, restaurants or convenient stores/gas stations.
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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.