The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Michigan’s Great Southwest has learned they will be getting $2.1-million from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development — HUD — to carry out affordable housing activities in their tribal communities. They join 11 other Native American tribes across Michigan, and a total of 600 tribes and villages across America who are sharing in more than $652-million under the Indian Housing Bock Grant formula for funding to eligible tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities.
HUD Acting Secretary Matthew E. Ammon says, “The Indian Housing Block Grant program supports the commitment of tribes across the country to their communities through funding affordable housing and housing activities,” and adds, “The U.S. government has a responsibility to carry out trust obligations to Indian tribes, and with this funding, HUD is acting to meet these obligations.”
The Pokagon Band’s $2.1-million grant is the second largest among the 12 Michigan tribes that were awarded funding, second only to the $5-million headed to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Here are the Michigan tribes and the amount each will get for affordable housing programs:
- Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Dowagiac: $2,132,489.
- Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley: $761,344.
- Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Peshawbestown: $1,251,117.
- Hannahville Indian Community in Wilson: $201,394.
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Baraga: $1,965,066.
- Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Watersmeet: $257,660.
- Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee: $291,767.
- Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians in Harbor Springs: $598,260.
- Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians in Dorr: $191,531.
- Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi in Fulton: $429,467.
- Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in Mt. Pleasant: $1,595,143.
- Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Sault Ste. Marie: $5,077,021.
The Indian Housing Block Grant Program is a formula grant that provides a range of affordable housing activities on reservations and related areas. Eligible activities include:
- Housing development
- Operation and modernization of existing housing
- Housing services to eligible families and individuals
- Crime prevention and safety
- Model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems
