The Shinnecock Indian Nation has received more than $220,000 in federal funding for affordable housing projects, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced last week.
According to a press release, the tribe received $220,849 through the Indian Housing Block Grant, which the department issues every year as a way for eligible Native American tribes to create affordable housing for low-income families living on reservations. The amount of the award each tribe receives is based on a formula that “considers local needs and housing units under management by the tribe or designated entity.”
Last year, the tribe received $204,343.
The grant allows tribes to use the money in a number of different ways: They can build houses or offer assistance for houses developed under the Indian Housing Program of the 1937 Housing Act; they can establish special housing management services, crime prevention and safety measures; or they can use other creative approaches, as long as they are geared toward solving affordable housing problems.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation, which was federally recognized in 2010, is one of 586 Native American tribes in 34 states that received a grant this year, according to the release.
This week, U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin said the Indian Housing Block Grant would offer many benefits for the tribe as it works to provide affordable housing.
“It’s great that the Shinnecock Indian Nation received the Indian Housing Block Grant from HUD for affordable housing,” Mr. Zeldin said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Shinnecock Indian Nation to help build a stronger relationship with the Long Island community.”
on Feb 24, 2015