HUD AWARDS $2.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN WISCONSIN
Grants support critical projects in tribal areas to address housing, community development and jobs

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $600,000 to each of four tribal communities in Wisconsin to improve housing conditions, promote community development and to spur local economies with construction projects and jobs. The competitive grants awarded are part of HUD's Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program that addresses a wide variety of community development and affordable housing activities for low- to moderate-income families.

"These grants are a step forward in forging solutions to improve the housing and economic conditions for some of our country's most culturally rich neighborhoods," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "I'm impressed at the energy and creativity in how these communities are leveraging public funds to create lasting solutions for countless families."

"This funding is an investment to promote neighborhood development and increase affordable housing while encouraging economic growth for our tribal communities in Wisconsin," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.

The grants to Wisconsin are part of $56 million HUD awarded today to tribal communities throughout the nation. The recipients will use these grants to develop viable communities including rehabilitating housing or building new homes or to purchase land to support new housing construction. The funding can also be used to build infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer facilities. To stimulate economic development and job growth, recipients use the grants to establish commercial, industrial and agricultural projects. Recipients also use the funding to build community and health centers, or to start businesses to support the community including shopping centers, manufacturing plants, restaurants or convenience stores and gas stations. Specific examples of this sort of economic and community development include:

HO-CHUNK NATION (WI)
This grant of $600,000 will be used to install solar photovoltaic panels on low-income single-family and apartment rental units in the tribe's Sandpillow Village. The project's goal is to decrease resident energy costs at the 54 unit community through energy efficiency improvements. Specific estimated benefits include a 24 percent annual decrease in electricity costs for residents resulting in an average savings of $335 per year savings, and a decrease in emissions load due to the energy efficiency benefits. Key partners in collaboration and information sharing include several departments of the tribe, the Ho Chunk Housing and Community Development Agency, and the Neighborhood Housing Service of Richland County. Leveraging for this project in the amount of $150,000 has been committed by the Ho Chunk Housing and Community Development Association.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA INDIANS (WI)
This grant of $600,000 will be used to construct an Indian Bowl Living Arts and Culture Center. The project will benefit the Lac du Flambeau Reservation by supporting cultural preservation and education. The 10,649 square foot building will also include a museum, an art studio, an art gallery and training and conference space. Leveraging for this project is $280,000.

SAINT CROIX TRIBE OF THE CHIPPEWA INDIANS (WI)
The grant of $600,000 will be used by the tribe to address housing rehabilitation on the St Croix Reservation. The rehabilitation project will provide affordable, safe, energy efficient, sustainable housing to 22 low-income housing units. Leveraging for this project is $369,021.

THE ONEIDA TRIBE OF INDIANS OF WISCONSIN (WI)
The grant of $600,000 will be used by the tribe to provide infrastructure of water, sewer and roads to sustain the construction of 40 housing units for single adult families on the Oneida Reservation. The proposed site is ideally situated within walking distance of the Oneida health center and the Oneida day care center.

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

###

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 at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.