HUD announces $1 million COVID relief to tribal communities in Utah

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the awarding of more than $1 million to the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation in COVID-19 relief funds. The tribe will receive $1,035,000 to purchase two recreational vehicles, which will serve as temporary shelter for families impacted by COVID-19 along with other necessary community equipment.

The award is part of $83 million in Indian Community Block Grant-American Rescue Plan (ICDBG-ARP) grants to 74 tribal communities to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the third round of ICDBG-ARP awards.

These funds to tribes will help protect the health and safety of their communities, particularly low- and moderate-income individuals and families, by expanding access to safe housing, a suitable living environment and economic opportunities.

The announcement follows HUD’s previous awards of $74 million in ICDBG-ARP grants to 68 tribal communities in November and $52 million in ICDBG-ARP grants to 49 tribal communities in December. The American Rescue Plan included a total of $280 million for the Indian Community Development Block Grant program. HUD said it will announce additional ICDBG-ARP awards on a rolling basis.