The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of $150 million in funding for affordable housing projects aimed at benefiting low-income families in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This funding will be distributed through the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive program.
The announcement was made by HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard Monocchio, during a tour with Tribal leaders from the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi near Kalamazoo, MI. The visit included a home construction site funded by a prior year competitive grant award.
"Ensuring affordable housing for Native American communities is a top priority for HUD,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "We take pride in partnering with Tribes to expand housing options and foster resilient communities, laying the foundation for generations to thrive.”
HUD plans to award the $150 million through the IHBG Competition to support Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) in carrying out affordable housing activities. The focus will be on new housing construction projects, housing rehabilitation projects, and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects.
“It’s an honor to be welcomed by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi to see the incredible homes they have built through the Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive program,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Monocchio. “These awards are having a major impact on the shortage of affordable housing in Native American communities, and we are excited to see many more homes built with the funds we make available today.”
Under the IHBG Competition, eligible applicants receive grants primarily for constructing new affordable housing in safe and healthy environments within Tribal communities. A 2017 HUD Housing Needs Study concluded that 68,000 new homes are needed to replace substantially dilapidated homes and address severe overcrowding in Tribal communities. These grant funds aim to help Tribes build new homes, improve housing conditions for Tribal members, and address some of this need.
Learn more about the funding opportunity and how to apply here.
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