Tribes receive federal money for housing

The Skokomish Tribe received more than $1 million, and the Squaxin Island Tribe more than $1.5 million in federal grants to improve housing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on May 16 announced $271.5 million in Indian Housing Block Grant funding for eligible Native American Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska to carry out affordable housing activities. Nationally, HUD awarded $1.1 billion in IHBG funding.

The Squaxin Island Tribe received $1,506,915 and the Skokomish Tribe $1,011,191.

“From day one, HUD has been engaged on alleviating affordable housing challenges facing urban, rural and Tribal communities,” Secretary Scott Turner said in a news release. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to serve Tribal communities while working toward meeting Indian Country’s housing needs. HUD has a strong partnership with Tribal nations in Alaska and across the Northwest, and I look forward to collaborating directly with Tribal leaders in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to expand housing opportunities and remove burdensome regulatory barriers that impede progress.”

The IHBG program is a formula grant that provides a range of affordable housing activities in Tribal communities. Eligible activities include housing development, operation and modernization of existing housing, housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety, and model activities.