HUD Gives $1.2 Million To Local Indian Tribes

Two Riverside County-based Indian tribes received grants totaling more than $1.2 million in support of affordable housing and other economic development projects, a federal agency announced today.

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development awarded $605,000 each to the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians under its Indian Community Development Block Grant Program.

The competitive grants were part of a $7.4 million distribution to 13 tribes throughout California.

"These funds will help American Indian ... tribal governments create sustainable and community-driven solutions,'' said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

"Housing and infrastructure needs in Indian Country are severe and widespread.''

The housing authorities for the Torres-Martinez tribe, located in Thermal, and the Santa Rosa tribe, based in Temecula, are expected to use the funds for construction of low-income housing, as well as road and sidewalk improvements, on their reservations. --City News Service