10 American Indian Tribes Receive Housing Grants from USDA

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

Housing Preservation

SELMA, ALABAMA - Ten American Indian tribes will receive grants to make critical repairs and improve housing conditions for low- and very-low-income rural residents from the US Department of Agriculture. The tribes were among many grants chosen by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien announced the recipients today on Secretary Vilsack's behalf while attending a local Farm Bill listening session in Selma.

“Providing safe housing to rural residents is a key to maintaining stable communities and creating jobs,”

Vilsack said. "Across America, USDA works in partnership with Tribes, community organizations and non-profit groups to improve living conditions for thousands of rural residents."

The support Vilsack is announcing today is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grants program. Funds are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and non-profit and faith-based and community organizations. These organizations then distribute the grants to homeowners and owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income residents.

Grants may be used to make general repairs, such as installing or improving plumbing or providing or enhancing access to people with disabilities. Funds may also be used to weatherize and make homes more energy efficient.

A $58,582 grant to the Coquille Indian Housing Authority will help replace 54 wind- and water-damaged roofs on the homes of low-income residents in Oregon's Coos County. The entire project, which will cost more than $860,000, leverages funding from the Coquille Indian Tribe and other agencies over the next two years.

The following is a list of the American Indian tribes chosen:

Arizona

Cocopah Indian housing and Development $146, 548

California

Campo Band of Mission Indians $54,500

Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel $45,500

Maine

Penobscot Indian Nation $25,000

Nevada

Moapa Indian Housing Authority $50,000

Yerington Paiute Tribal Housing Authority $50,000

North Dakota

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians $91,954

Oklahoma

Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma $40,000

Oregon

Coquille Indian Housing Authority $58,582

Washington

Lummi Nation Housing Authority $71,750

posted October 29, 2011 8:00 am edt