National

Tribes receive $63 million from HUD for housing and community projects

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded $63 million in grants to support housing and community development projects in Indian Country.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians is among the recipients of the funds, awarded through HUD’s Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program. The tribe will use $700,000 to build a new food distribution center in Michigan, according to news reports.

“It will help us expand our, not only our area, but the number of people that we service," said Larry Romanelli, the tribe's ogema, or leader, 9&10 News reported.

Announced $700K ICDBG @HUDgov award to Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Ogema Larry Romanelli in #Manistee for food distribution warehouse. https://t.co/C7CmeocqWJ pic.twitter.com/QOrIMqcPC3
— Joe Galvan (@JoeGalvanHUD) August 5, 2019

Work on the new warehouse is expected to start in the spring of 2020, The Manistee News reported. It's slated for completion in August and will help the tribe provide food deliveries and other services to people in 14 counties.

HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Joseph P. Galvan was on hand to present the grant to the tribe. The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians was the only other Michigan-based recipient of an ICDBG.

“HUD is committed to supporting affordable housing and economic opportunities for Native American communities across the country,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a news release. “These grants will generate other investments from public and private sources to create economic opportunities, improve housing conditions and create jobs in Indian Country.”

Check out @9and10News story about @HUDgov ICDBG award to Ogema Larry Romanelli of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in #Manistee.https://t.co/v2n6JahkrN pic.twitter.com/ZBcQmRtB3d
— Joe Galvan (@JoeGalvanHUD) August 6, 2019