LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the awarding of more than $11.8 million in Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan funds to 11 Native American tribes in California, including two in Lake County.
Part of $83 million in grants to 74 tribal communities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the third round of Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan, or ICDBG-ARP awards, underscoring the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to delivering equitable COVID-19 relief to Tribal communities.
In Lake County, two tribes have received awards.
The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians will receive $1,035,000, which will be used to construct a facility that will provide medical services to families impacted by COVID-19.
The Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians will receive $1,034,500 to construct a facility to provide medical services for families impacted by COVID-19 and to construct a tiny home.
Elsewhere around the region, the Pinoleville Pomo will receive $1,035,000 to purchase a modular unit to house medical services, the Round Valley Indian Housing Authority will use its $1,725,000 grant to renovate homes and to develop a food bank and the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria will receive $1,017,979 which it will use to acquire an existing apartment complex to address the housing shortage and acquire a mobile kitchen and a mobile quarantine unit.
HUD said 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.
“It is imperative that we continue providing Tribal communities with resources needed to protect the health and safety of their communities,” said HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman. “With the funding HUD is awarding today, we remain diligent in continuing our mission to ensure that every person has the security of a healthy home and community. HUD will continue to strengthen partnerships with Tribal communities to ensure that all communities receive equitable relief.”
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 will announce additional ICDBG-ARP awards on a rolling basis.
The Department and the Biden-Harris Administration have made delivering equitable COVID-19 relief to tribal communities a priority. The American Rescue Plan Act provides a total of $750 million in HUD resources to Indian Country to support the continued fight against COVID-19.
In 2021, HUD made a historic $450 million investment in Indian Housing Block Grants to Indian tribes across the country to respond to COVID-19. The department also invested $5 million in COVID-19 relief for Native Hawaiians.
Big Valley, Middletown tribes receive HUD funding for COVID-19 relief
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