BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $2.5 MILLION IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS FOR NORTHERN ARAPAHO TRIBAL HOUSING

CASPER, WY - The Northern Arapaho Tribal Housing Authority will receive $2,534,044 in federal assistance to promote affordable housing, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez announced today.

"These grants do so much good for so many people," Martinez said. "This money helps communities do the critical work of providing affordable housing and helping our most vulnerable neighbors."

The Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program allows tribes or tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) to provide a range of affordable housing activities on a reservation or Indian area. The block grant approach to housing for Native Americans was authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996. The tribes or TDHEs are empowered with the responsibility of determining how those funds should be used to address needs specific to their own 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.

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