HUD awards funding to New York Native American communities for COVID-19 relief on affordable-housing projects

(Updated on 4/10/20 at 4:00 p.m. & 4/13/20 at 5:30 p.m. to reflect that the money is not going directly to the tribes.)

Communities where members of the Onondaga Nation, Oneida Indian Nation, Cayuga Nation, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe live are among the Native American communities across New York state that will share in nearly $1.8 million in federal funding in COVID-19 relief for affordable-housing projects.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on April 7 announced a total of $200 million in Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBG) to the communities of American Indian Tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) across the country to respond to COVID-19.

This funding will be used to help tribes or TDHEs carry out affordable-housing activities to protect the safety and health of their tribal members and communities.

Specifically, the following communities were awarded these amounts: Nedrow (Onondaga Nation) – $15,455;  Verona (Oneida Nation) – $241,807;  Seneca Falls (Cayuga Nation) – $88,028; and  Akwesane (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe) – $608,682. HUD also awarded funding to four additional communities of New York tribes.

The money is not going directly to the tribes. 

The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the tribe or TDHE. Eligible activities for the funds include housing development, operation and maintenance, modernization of existing housing, housing services to eligible families and individuals, housing management services, crime prevention and safety activities, and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems.