The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $63 million to 85 Native American communities throughout the country to improve housing conditions and stimulate community development for residents.
HUD’s Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program includes funding construction projects that generate local job opportunities and supports a wide range of community development and affordable housing activities.
“HUD is committed to supporting affordable housing and economic opportunities for Native American communities across the country,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a news release. “These grants will generate other investments from public and private sources to create economic opportunities, improve housing conditions and create jobs in Indian country.”
The ICDBG Program was established in 1977 to help Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages obtain decent housing, suitable living environments and economic opportunities. Communities can use the grants to rehabilitate or build new housing, to buy land for housing, for infrastructure projects such as roads, water and sewer facades and to spur economic development, including jobs.
It also can be used for commercial, industrial and agricultural projects, which may be recipient owned and operated or which may be owned and/or operated by a third party.
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