The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) last week announced it would distribute more than $651 million to 586 Native American tribes in 34 states. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will benefit from the federal largesse.
HUD announced that the tribe will receive $462,176.
Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) allocations are distributed each year to eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entities for a range of affordable-housing activities, according to a HUD press release. The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the tribe or designated entity.
“Our nation is at its best when everyone has a fair chance to thrive,” HUD Secretary Julián Castro said. “These funds will support the innovative work Native American tribes and families are doing to build a more prosperous future. Our partnership with these local leaders today will create better housing opportunities, more robust economic development and stronger communities tomorrow.”
“We have been receiving this grant for many years, and we are thankful for the support from HUD that enables us to provide housing to our tribal members,” Wampanoag chairman Tobias Vanderhoop said.
Willard Marden, tribal housing administrator, said the grant money would be used to maintain affordability and help maintain and upgrade the tribe’s 25-year-old housing stock. There are 33 houses located on tribal lands, of which 26 are rentals.
