The Poarch Band of Creek Indians will once again benefit from a Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) handed down by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $1,859,361.

PCI Tribal Administrator Edie Jackson said the grant is an annual allocation based on a formula and used by the tribe to help maintain and improve rental homes and other domestic structures.

According to a HUD release the IHBG funds are “intended to primarily benefit low-income families living on Indian reservations or in other communities.”

HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. said the funds are truly invaluable to tribal efforts at improving housing.

“These funds are making a real difference in tribal communities each and every day,” Jennings said. “”Projects include affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, community centers and safety programs that every community needs to thrive. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to ensure Native American communities can build their economies in response to their needs and as they see fit.”

Eligible activities for the funds include housing development, assistance to housing developed under the Indian Housing Program, housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems. The block grant approach to housing was enabled by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA).