August 13, 2009
Thursday

Ketchikan, Alaska - During a visit to an Anchorage on Monday, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that HUD is awarding 61 grants, totaling $132 million, to Native American and Native Alaskan communities across the country to improve housing and stimulate community development. The announcement came during a visit to the Mountain View community in Anchorage, which has received Recovery Act funding. The Secretary was joined by U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, and other local elected and housing officials.

Among those receiving grants, the Ketchikan Indian Community was awarded $2,347,000.00 in stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the construction of Elder housing. In an email Joel Azure, KIC Housing Director, wrote, "The funding will provide much needed employment opportunities and economic benefits to local business as well as provide 12 units of affordable housing to KIC Elders."

In Southeast Alaska, the community of Metlakatla also received a grant award of $2,000,000.

The Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) and Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG)funds awarded Monday are provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). These grants will help Native American tribes improve the quality of their housing stock, develop viable communities, promote energy efficiency and create jobs.

"I am proud to announce today that, thanks to the Recovery Act, HUD has invested a half billion dollars in Native American and Alaskan communities across the country, including communities right here in the beautiful State of Alaska," said Secretary Donovan in Anchorage on Monday. "As I have seen firsthand today, these funds are already at work in some of the hardest hit communities, creating jobs and revitalizing neighborhoods."

The grants announced Monday were awarded competitively from two programs, which are awarding grants on a rolling basis:

The Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG): $242,250,000 is available for Indian tribes or tribal organizations representing tribes that are eligible to receive Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) funds. These funds can be used to build new housing and purchase land to support new housing construction. They also can be used to rehabilitate existing housing, including large-scale improvements such as new roofs, plumbing and electrical systems to increase energy efficiency. The funding can build infrastructure, including roads and water and sewers facilities, to create suitable living environments. Priority is given to applicants that demonstrate an ability to obligate and expend the funds quickly.

Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG): $10 million is available for Indian tribes or tribal organizations representing tribes that received an ICDBG grant in Fiscal Year 2008. These funds can be used to encourage economic development, including establishing a wide variety of commercial, industrial and agricultural projects. Priority is given to applicants that create job opportunities that will bring economic recovery to tribal communities; and to promote energy efficiency in their projects.

Source of News:

U.S. Department of Housting & Urban Development
www.hud.gov

Ketchikan Indian Community
www.kic-tribe.org

 

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