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BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES OVER $8.5 MILLION IN HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR SOUTH DAKOTA

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Five communities in South Dakota will receive a total of more than $8.5 million in federal funding to support economic development, stimulate job growth and promote affordable housing, Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Roy Bernardi announced today. Bernardi made the announcement during a news conference with Congressman John Thune in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.

The funds are being provided through HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development and Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) programs.

"These grants will assist rural and tribal communities in South Dakota by providing funding for economic development and housing programs to underserved areas," said HUD Assistant Secretary Bernardi. "What we announce today will help build and rehabilitate homes, fuel business development create jobs, and improve the overall health of these rural communities."

The Rosebud Sioux's Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakape Corporation (SWA Corporation), will receive $7,693,060 in Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBG) to promote affordable housing.

In addition, $850,000 in Rural Housing and Economic Development grants announced today includes:

• The Lakota Fund in Kyle, South Dakota will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development grant in the amount of $150,000. The grant will assist the organization in the construction of a service center and homebuyer programs.
  
  
• Sicangu Enterprise Center in Mission, South Dakota will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development grant in the amount of $150,000. The grant will assist the organization by increasing staffing capacity through recruitment, training, and planning.
  
  
• Oglala Sioux Tribe Partnership for Housing, Inc. in Pine Ridge, South Dakota will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development grant in the amount of $400,000. This innovative housing grant will provide financial lending opportunities through construction lending tools, homeownership guidance tools, and training programs.
  
  
• Four Bands Community Fund, Inc. in Pine Ridge, South Dakota will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development grant in the amount of $150,000. The grant will assist the organization by providing important staffing and stability.

The Rural Housing and Economic Development funding is part of $25 million distributed to rural communities in 33 states and territories to help create innovative housing and economic development solutions including rehabilitation, new construction, job creation, business retention and strategic planning.

HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development program helps state and local communities to encourage economic development and promote affordable housing by building the capacity needed to undertake these complex activities. These communities can use the funding to hire and train staff, purchase computers and software, develop accounting systems or hire experts to help them accomplish their economic development and housing goals.

The IHBG 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. The funds will be used for the purposes as described in the Indian Housing Plan (IHP), which include maintenance of current assisted housing stock, identifying funding sources for new housing, planning and administration, and operations.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, 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.

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