05/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/17/2024 15:24
As Appropriations Chair, Murray delivered a record $1.111 billion for the Indian Housing Block Grant-a $324 million increase over last year-despite budget caps
Senator Murray: "The Indian Housing Block Grant program is the most important tool we have to fund affordable housing for Tribal communities, and as Appropriations Chair, I fought hard to deliver record funding despite tough budget caps."
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced nearly $75 million in grants for 29 Tribes throughout Washington state through the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program. The IHBG is the largest source of federal resources for housing for Tribal communities-providing flexible funding for the construction for new affordable housing, rental assistance, housing improvements and rehabilitation, and other supportive housing-related services. Murray has fought to secure funding for the IHBG program every year, and this year as Appropriations Chair, she was able to secure a record $1.111 billion for the program-a $324 million increase over last year-in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development spending bill signed into law in March. Native Americans are twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households.
"Finding a safe and affordable place to live continues to be a serious challenge for families across Washington state, especially for folks in Tribal communities who face higher rates of poverty and are more likely to live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions," said Senator Murray. "The Indian Housing Block Grant program is the most important tool we have to support housing for Tribal communities, and as Appropriations Chair, I fought hard to deliver record funding despite tough budget caps. This money will help build new affordable housing in Tribal communities and improve existing housing-it will make a difference for Native American families all across our state."
The 29 Washington state Tribes awarded funding include:
Senator Murray has consistently worked to address Washington state's housing crisis and has secured major federal investments to help families keep a roof over their heads. Throughout the pandemic, Senator Murray-then Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee-played a major role in writing federal COVID-19 relief legislation that secured major support for people facing housing insecurity, championing sizable investments in rental assistance and other programs that collectively resulted in the largest eviction prevention effort in American history. At the beginning of this Congress, Senator Murray called on President Biden to utilize a "whole of government" approach to addressing our nation's housing needs. In the government funding bills Murray negotiated and passed as Appropriations Chair, Murray secured billions in funding for our nation's most important affordable housing and homelessness programs including IHBG, as well as millions of dollars in Congressionally Directed Spending for affordable housing projects throughout Washington state.
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