The capital of the Navajo Nation is located in Window Rock, Arizona, named for its famed natural feature. Photo: Ben FrantzDale

The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2021

Navajo Nation to receive nearly $50 million in HUD funding for affordable housing under the American Rescue Plan

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Thursday, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced $450 million in Indian Housing Block Grants for tribes to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was included in the American Rescue Plan Act approved by Congress and U.S. President Joe Biden. The Navajo Nation is scheduled to receive nearly $50 million of the funding to help carry out affordable housing activities. 

“Our administration continues to work closely with the White House and all of the federal agencies to determine a fair allocation method for all of the funding categories contained in the American Rescue Plan Act. We are meeting daily to strategize and coordinate with federal officials to ensure that we leverage all federal funds and resources and maximize the benefits for the Navajopeople and our communities in the long-term. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the need for more housing in our communities and now it is our responsibility, working together with our federal partners, to ensure that we provide more housing opportunities for the Navajo people. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration, the members of Congress, Secretary Fudge, and all of those who supported the American Rescue Plan including the much-needed housing funds,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

In a statement released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary Fudge said the funding represents the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to help tribal nations overcome the pandemic.

“With the enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, President Biden is making a clear statement that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring equitable access to communities hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “HUD understands the significance of our responsibility to serve American Indian and Alaska Native families, and the Department is dedicated to working in a government-to-government manner with Tribes to quickly bring much-needed relief to Tribal communities.”

Indian Housing Block Grants primarily benefit low-income American Indian and Alaska Native families. The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units managed. 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 issues in Indian Country.

“Throughout the Navajo Nation, we have multiple generational families living under one roof, which is beneficial for the purpose of passing along our teachings from one generation to the next, but it has also increased the number of COVID-19 infections among our people. With the incoming HUD funds, we are committed to developing more housing to help reduce the risks of COVID-19 in the coming years,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

Under the annual IHBG allocations for FY2021, the Navajo Nation is scheduled to receive approximately $72 million before repayments and grant adjustments, according to the announcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The listing of funding allocations for tribes can be found on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website at: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/IHBG-ARP_for_Codetalk3.24.21.pdf.

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