Utah tribes will receive COVID-19 Indian Housing Block Grant funding

Five tribal communities in Utah are in line to receive part of $450 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBG). The funds will be distributed to help tribes carry out affordable housing activities to protect the safety and health of their tribal members and communities, the department said.

The Utah tribes that will receive funds include the Goshute Reservation Confederated Tribes ($301,363), the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation ($136,610), the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah ($1,373,780), the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians ($35,007) and the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation ($1,040,921).

“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,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge.

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 problems in Indian country, the department said.