HUD SECRETARY DONOVAN ANNOUNCES $252 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS TO IMPROVE HOUSING, SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN COUNTRY
Announcement Comes During Visit to Montana Native American Tribes and Housing Authorities

BILLINGS, MT - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD is offering more than $252 million to Indian tribes and Alaskan native communities to improve housing and stimulate community development. Provided through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, these grants are intended to promote greater energy efficiency, mold remediation, and energy conservation retrofit investments.

Following a tour of Native American housing in Montana, Donovan said the Recovery Act offers these communities a unique opportunity to create jobs while improving the quality of their housing, build communities, and promote energy efficiency.

"If we're serious about re-investing in programs to improve housing conditions for all Americans, we must make a serious investment for our first Americans," said Secretary Donovan, after touring tribal areas in Montana and meeting with tribal leaders. "The Recovery Act offers grants that will significantly improve housing conditions and reduce overcrowding and other substandard conditions that many Native Americans endure."

Earlier this year, HUD allocated an additional $255 million in Recovery Act funding to nearly 600 eligible tribes and tribal housing entities. That funding is already being put to work to improve Indian housing. The total Recovery Act investment for housing and community development in Indian Country is nearly $510 million, which includes the formula and competitive awards and funding for administrative activities. The available grants announced today will be awarded competitively from two programs:

The Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG): $242,250,000 will be available for Indian tribes or tribal organizations representing tribes that are eligible to receive Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) funds. These funds can be used to build new housing and purchase land to support new housing construction. They also can be used to rehabilitate existing housing, including large-scale improvements such as new roofs, plumbing and electrical systems to increase energy efficiency. The funding can build infrastructure, including roads and water and sewers facilities, to create suitable living environments. Priority will be given to applicants that demonstrate an ability to obligate and expend the funds quickly. The application deadline is July 13, 2009.

Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG): $10 million will be available for Indian tribes or tribal organizations representing tribes that received an ICDBG grant in Fiscal Year 2008. These funds can be used to encourage economic development, including establishing a wide variety of commercial, industrial and agricultural projects. Priority will be given to applicants that create job opportunities that will bring economic recovery to tribal communities; and to promote energy efficiency in their projects. The application deadline is July 7, 2009.

HUD will accept paper applications by mail from Indian tribes or tribal organizations representing Indian tribes. Hand-carried or faxed applications will not be accepted. HUD will review applications and award grants that effectively address the requirements in the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).

In addition, Secretary Donovan and the Department are committed to providing the highest level of transparency possible as Recovery Act funds are administered. It is vitally important that the American people are fully aware of how their tax dollars are being spent and can hold their federal leaders accountable. Every dollar of Recovery Act funds HUD spends can be reviewed and tracked at HUD's Recovery Act website. The full text of HUD's funding notices and tracking of future performance of these grants is also available at HUD's Recovery Act website.

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