Arizona Tribes Set to Receive $36 Million Boost for Affordable Housing Initiatives

In a groundbreaking announcement, Congressman Raul Grijalva has secured a significant $36 million in federal funding aimed at bolstering tribal housing within Arizona’s District 7. This financial injection, derived from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Housing Block Grant, is earmarked for the Tohono Oodham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Cocopah Tribe, and Quechan Tribe, receiving $25.6 million, $7.5 million, $1.1 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Indian Housing Block Grant program, which has seen its largest investment to date. With a 40% increase from last year’s funding, the program now boasts an allocation of $1.1 billion, underscoring a robust commitment to improving housing affordability and quality in tribal communities. Congressman Grijalva, a long-standing advocate for equitable access to housing, highlighted the initiative’s critical role in addressing the chronic underfunding of tribal housing sectors. By facilitating new constructions, renovations, and a suite of related services, the grant aims to significantly enhance living conditions for numerous families across the district.

The investment underscores a pivotal movement towards rectifying historical disparities in housing availability for tribal communities, positioning affordable housing as a fundamental right accessible to all, irrespective of geographical boundaries. With this comprehensive approach, Arizona’s District 7 is set to witness transformative changes in its tribal housing landscape, setting a precedent for future interventions in indigenous communities nationwide.