Rep. Luján Will Continue to Work with Local and Tribal Governments to Implement Recovery Plan

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ben Ray Luján announced distributions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for tribal governments in New Mexico’s Third Congressional District. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will distribute over $38 million to tribal governments in New Mexico’s Third Congressional District through the Native American Housing Block Grant program.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create opportunities for families throughout tribal lands in the 3^rd Congressional District,” said Rep. Luján. “Just one week after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, communities in tribal lands are already beginning to see the benefits. This funding will help families and create and save jobs through a wide range of projects that can begin soon. These projects will help communities in tribal lands get back on track during this difficult economic time. Native Americans communities, already facing economic hardship, are disproportionately affected by economic downturns. I look forward to working with leaders in these sovereign nations to create opportunities on tribal lands.”

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Native American Housing Block Grant program funds new construction, acquisition, rehabilitation (including energy efficiency and conservation), and infrastructure development activities on tribal lands. Projects that can begin within 180 days of the grant will get priority under the program. Funds will be distributed according to the same funding formula that was used to allocate Indian Housing Block Grant funds in fiscal year 2008.

Disbursements to tribal governments that reside entirely or partially in the Third Congressional District:

Navajo Nation - $34,412,126,

Cochiti Pueblo – $117,318

Jemez Pueblo – $244,291

Jicarilla Apache Reservation – $544,857

Nambe Pueblo – $286,514

Ohkay Owingeh – $210,769

Picuris Pueblo – $44,646

Pojoaque Pueblo – $87,368

San Felipe Pueblo – $201,303

San Ildefonso Pueblo – $166,501

Santa Ana Pueblo – $51,069

Santa Clara Pueblo – $293,411

Santo Domingo Pueblo – $373,874

Taos Pueblo – $276,775

Tesuque Pueblo – $64,584

Zia Pueblo – $100,000

Zuni Pueblo – $1,307,582

Rep. Luján will work with community leaders to make sure recovery funding goes to communities and begins to save and create jobs to get our economy working again. Rep. Luján’s Economic Recovery team will be available to answer questions about the funding and other programs from constituents and community leaders. The team, established on Monday, will be the first point of contact for community leaders and constituents interested in learning about the benefits of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As funding is allocated for programs in New Mexico, the team will work with tribal governments, local leaders and constituents, providing information about funding and assisting with implementation.

For more information on Native American Housing Block Grants and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit: http://www.hud.gov/recovery/native-american-formula.cfm