Affordable housing in Virginia tribal communities received a $2.2 million boost on Friday as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, announced block grant funding.
The $2M in Indian Housing Block Grant funding is for eligible Native American Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities, or TDHEs.
The Virginia funding was part of $1.1 billion awarded by HUD nationwide.
“From day one, HUD has been engaged on alleviating affordable housing challenges facing urban, rural and Tribal communities. Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to serve Tribal communities while working towards meeting Indian Country’s housing needs,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner.
“HUD has a strong partnership with Tribal nations across Virginia, and I look forward to collaborating directly with Tribal leaders to expand housing opportunities and remove burdensome regulatory barriers that impede progress,” he said.
IHBG recipients in Virginia
- $673,320: Monacan Indian Nation
- $591,632: Chickahominy Indian Tribe
- $359,703: Upper Mattaponi Tribe
- $278,303: Nansemond Indian Tribe
- $129,554: Rappahannock Tribe Inc.
- $118,131: Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division
- $110,531: Pamunkey Indian Tribe
The IHBG program is a formula grant that provides a range of affordable housing activities.
Eligible activities include housing development, operation and modernization of existing housing, housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety and model activities.
Tribal communities and Trump
In March, the Trump administration rolled back tribal sovereignty and self-governance revoking 18 executive actions taken under the Biden administration.
Leaders are concerned that these actions will increase federal interference with Tribes and how they spend their money.
Trump has also called for major cuts in programs at HUD – including a proposal to eliminate housing grants for Native Hawaiians and others who lack federal recognition.
Federal funding and programs that support tribes are getting slashed in Trump’s anti-DEI push, according to Michaela Madrid with the Native Governance Center.
“Just kind of the general theme has been chaos,” she said. “That is concerning because Native nations and citizens of Tribal nations are not under the diversity, equity and inclusion umbrella.”
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Crystal Graham
