PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Aroostook Band of Micmacs tribe a $600,000 grant to improve housing conditions and to stimulate local economic development.
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs will use the funds to rehabilitate 22 tribal homes in Presque Isle to mitigate mold and moisture problems, according to a HUD press release. The project will reduce the incidence of health problems caused by mold and will restore the viability of the tribal community with the completion of safe and healthy homes for the tribal members.
The money from HUD’s Indian Community Development Block Grant Program is part of $1.2 million awarded to two Maine Native American tribes. The Penobscot Tribe was awarded a $600,000 grant for the construction of 24 new senior rental housing units to assist the unmet need for affordable senior housing.
“These grants will support our Native American communities as they work to improve housing conditions and neighborhoods,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in the release. “HUD will continue to be a steadfast partner to tribes as they design and execute their community development plans.”
HUD New England Deputy Regional Administrator Kristine Foye said the funding “is critical to keeping Maine families safe from the dangers of mold and providing much needed affordable housing for seniors.”
The ICDBG program was established in 1977 to help Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages meet their community development needs, including decent housing, healthy living environments, and economic opportunities. Federally recognized Indian tribes, bands, groups or nations can compete for this funding.
The grant awardees can use the funding to build new housing, fix existing housing, buy land for housing; or for infrastructure projects including roads, water and sewer projects; and to spur economic development including jobs.
