The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $600,000 to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Akwesasne to improve housing conditions and to stimulate local economic development.

The awards are part of HUD’s Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program, a national competitive program that supports a wide range of community development and affordable housing activities, from new housing for individual families to community amenities like rec centers or water lines.

“These grants will support our Native American communities as they work to improve housing conditions and neighborhoods,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “HUD will continue to be a steadfast partner to tribes as they design and execute their community development plans.”

“I congratulate the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe for securing this competitive funding to make their housing safer, more efficient and more accessible” said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “These upgrades will improve resident health, create jobs and catalyze economic growth in North Country.”

With a deep need for more affordable housing in tribal communities, most of this year’s project winners will use their ICDBG funds to build homes or to rehabilitate dilapidated housing, in order to alleviate homelessness, relieve overcrowding, and avoid members having to leave their community – spurring jobs and economic development along the way.

Locally, The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is being awarded $600,000 of for the rehabilitation of 95 homes to improve the safety and functionality of the homes with handicap accessibility, roofing, HVAC and plumbing and electrical upgrades with energy efficient products.

The program will assist low-income families and is critical to the viability of the community as it directly addresses needs identified through extensive study and outreach. The rehabilitation of the 95 homes will allow the provision of affordable, safe and healthy housing in the community while significantly reducing heating costs for an estimated annual cost savings for each household of approximately $1,200 per year.