HUD Grants $651 Million to Native American Tribes

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued more than $651 million in Indian Housing Block Grants in February.

Indian Housing Block Grants were distributed to 586 Native American tribes in 34 states. These grants are intended to assist low-income families living on Indian reservations or in other American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

The tribes can use the funds for the following purposes: housing development, provide housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety, and organized activities that combat affordable housing problems.

"These funds will support the innovative work Native American tribes and families are doing to build a more prosperous future," said HUD Secretary Julian Castro, in a news release Wednesday. "Our partnership with these local leaders will create better housing opportunities, more robust economic development and stronger communities tomorrow."

In its proposed fiscal year 2016 budget, HUD seeks $748 million to address critical housing and community development needs in Native American communities, including $660 million for IHBG distributions.