The Fort Belknap Indian Community of Montana isn't managing federal funds properly, the Department of Housing and Urban Development said in a March 7 audit.

The Office of Inspector General said the tribe didn't use Indian Housing Block Grant funds "in a manner consistent with program guidance, regulations, and the terms and conditions" of the program. The audit found problems with unacceptable expenditures, rent collection and financial controls.

The report recommended the tribe repay over $214,000 for improper use of housing funds and to recover more than $1 million in back rent. "We also recommend that the Northern Plains Office of Native American Programs refer Fort Belknap to the Departmental Enforcement Center for appropriate administrative sanctions and civil actions," the audit stated.

The tribe submitted a letter that said it was working to correct deficiencies but disagreed with some of the conclusions in the audit.

Get the Story:
Audit: Fort Belknap hasn't collected $1M in rent (AP 3/17)

HUD Audit:
Fort Belknap Indian Community in Harlem, MT, Did Not Properly Administer Its Indian Housing Block Grant Funds (March 7, 2010)