Local News Release

HUD AWARDS $1.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO THREE WASHINGTON INDIAN TRIBES
Nooksack, Squaxin Island and Upper Skagit Win Competitive Grants

SEATTLE - The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $500,000 in grants to each of three Washington Indian Tribes - the Nooksack, Squaxin Island, and Upper Skagit tribes.

The Nooksack Tribe will use the funds for construction of water systems, water main lines, individual septic systems, storm water controls, and roads for a future project. For more information, contact: Sebnem Pura at (360) 592-5163.

The Squaxin Island Tribe will use the funds for improvements to their Counseling and Cultural Center Building. The present facility is too small to meet the needs of the community for services. For more information, contact: June O'Brien at (360) 482-2674.

The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe will use the funds for construction of a supplemental water tower to provide sufficient water to existing and future housing and community buildings. For more information, contact: Carol Benskin at (360) 854-7072.

The funding is from HUD's Indian Community Development Block Grant Program. The program was established in 1977 to provide special Community Development Block Grant funding mechanism for Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages to meet their community development needs. Federally recognized Indian tribes, bands, groups or nations (including Alaska Indian, Aleutes and Eskimos) or Alaska Native villages compete for this funding.

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 as well as 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.

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