"Tribal housing authorities around the country began receiving letters Friday from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, notifying them that hundreds of millions of dollars in housing block grants would be released following a federal judge's ruling.

�They're trying to get the funding out as quick as they can,� said Marty Shuravloff, chairman of the National American Indian Housing Council. �I'm just relieved we've got to the point that the funds have been released. It would be very detrimental to the tribes whose funds were being withheld to not receive those services.�

The block grant dispute began after the Fort Peck Housing Authority, an agency of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Montana, filed suit against HUD for unfair block grant appropriations.

U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch of Colorado agreed in a May 25 ruling.

Matsch said HUD's interpretation of a federal statute was unreasonable, resulting in haphazard funding allocations �with reductions to some tribes and windfalls to others - based on factors that are not related to tribal housing needs.�

HUD responded to the court ruling by deciding to withhold all undistributed 2006 block grant funds to nearly 200 tribes around the country. HUD Assistant Secretary Orlando Cabrera had warned tribes the Fort Peck case could affect current, past and future block grants awarded under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: HUD releases block grants for tribal housing (The Missoulian 7/9)

Latest Court Documents:
Order Clarifying Judgement | Order Denying Stay | HUD 'Can Do' Motion

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Letter:
HUD Indian Housing Freeze (June 28, 2006)

Relevant Documents:
Cabrera Letter Suspending Funds | Court Decision in Ft. Peck Case

Hearing Info:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Native American Housing Programs (Wednesday, June 28, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Fort Peck Tribes - http://www.fortpecktribes.org
Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD - http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih
National American Indian Housing Council - http://naihc.net
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov

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