"Federal housing officials intend to freeze millions of dollars - possibly $300 million - in tribal housing block grant money until a court challenge is resolved.

But it could takes months or years to settle the litigation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Chairman James Steele told the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Wednesday. And that could jeopardize efforts to provide affordable housing on reservations nationwide.

�What will happen if the appeal goes into the next fiscal year?� Steele asked. �Will all tribes that receive block grant funds have their grants frozen for next year?�

Tribal leaders and representatives of the National American Indian Housing Council implored U.S. senators and Department of Housing and Urban Development officials to ensure that $300 million - about half of all 2006 Native American Housing Block Grant funds - would be delivered to 189 tribes.

Steele joined four others on the Senate panel to discuss matters of safe, decent and affordable housing for Native people around the country. Block grants comprise the bulk of the money used by tribal housing programs."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Feds plan to freeze tribal housing grant funds (The Missoulian 6/29)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Bush holds back housing money from tribes (6/29)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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