CASS LAKE — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the awarding of a $1.8 million Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan grant to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
The tribe will use their grant to renovate a vacant building, which will serve as an emergency food bank and distribution center.
This is the third round of Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan awards for delivering equitable COVID-19 relief to tribal communities. HUD awarded more than $83 million to 74 tribal communities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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, HUD reported.
“We are committed to providing equitable resources that support strong, inclusive and sustainable communities,” said HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Diane M. Shelley, in a news release. “Partnering with Tribal communities to address health and safety issues is a critical part of that work.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The announcement follows HUD’s previous awards of $74 million in Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan grants to 68 tribal communities in November and $52 million in Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan 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 awards on a rolling basis.
