Wisconsin Tribes to Receive $20 Million Federal Grant for Affordable Housing
Senator Tammy Baldwin Celebrates Increased Support for Tribal Housing Needs
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin tribes are set to receive a major boost in federal funding to tackle the urgent need for affordable housing in their communities. On Monday the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a $20 million grant that will be divided among four tribes in Wisconsin. This funding is intended to support new housing projects that aim to reduce overcrowding homelessness and the need for residents to move away from their communities in search of housing. The grants include $6 million for the Oneida Nation to build 16 housing units $5.2 million for the Ho-Chunk Nation to build 11 units, $5.8 million for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to build 20 units and $3 million for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe to build 12 units.
Senator Tammy Baldwin a strong supporter of increased federal funding for tribal housing welcomed the new $20 million grant as an important step forward. She highlighted that the funding will help tribes build more affordable housing, reduce housing costs and enhance safety for families. Indian Housing Block Grant program which provides this funding has recently seen increased support after a long period of stagnation. This boost aims to address ongoing issues of overcrowding and poor housing conditions in Indigenous communities.
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HUD Research Highlights Housing Crisis Impact in Tribal Communities; Baldwin Links Housing Shortage to Broader Challenges
HUD research has found that tribal communities are particularly affected by overcrowding and poor housing conditions. Around 12% of households in these areas have unreliable heat compared to just 2% nationwide. Baldwin has pointed out that the shortage of affordable housing worsens other major issues such as the opioid and fentanyl crisis. In a letter to the Senate Committee on Appropriations she stressed that improving housing is essential to tackling these broader challenges. The new funding is expected to make a significant difference in both living conditions and the overall well-being of these communities.