News Release

HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $3.2 MILLION IN HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TO 7 TRIBES IN IDAHO, OREGON & WASHINGTON

SEATTLE - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the award of $3,257,000 to seven (7) tribes and tribal organizations in Idaho, Oregon and Washington to produce and rehabilitate existing housing and improve community facilities including a Head Start center, new water and sewer lines and a dental clinic addition.

The seven winners of 2008 HUD Indian Community Development Block Grants (ICDBG) funds are. The winners are the Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute Housing Authority, Shoalwater Bay, and Skokomish Tribe in Washington, the Coeur D'Alene Tribe in Idaho, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and of Siletz in the state of Oregon. Thirteen tribes in the three states competed for the ICDBG funds.

The funds will be used to build 4 new homes, rehabilitate more than 50 homes, fund the initial construction of a Head Start center, expand a dental clinic, construct a gas station and convenience store and lay new water and sewer lines. Over the last decade, the ICDBG program has awarded over $30 million in ICDBG funds in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

"The hallmark of our ICDBG program is a flexibility that allows communities to decide how, with Federal funds, they can most quickly, effectively and efficiently meet their most urgent needs," said HUD Regional Director John Meyers. "We are very pleased to be able to provide these bricks-and-mortar funds to help these tribes and tribal organizations build stronger, more prosperous communities."

The ICDBG 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.

In the Northwest, the ICDBG program is administered by HUD's Northwest Office of Native American Programs in Seattle.

2008 Indian Community Development Block Grant Winners in Idaho, Oregon & Washington

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.