Cramer, Turner Announce Over $600,000 in Tribal HUD-VASH Grants to Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians

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BISMARCK, N.D. - U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Banking Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner announced Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing (VASH) grants for two North Dakota Tribes for veteran housing programs totaling $608,450.

• $348,194 to the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority
• $260,256 to the Standing Rock Housing Authority

"Across North Dakota and across the entire nation, Native Americans serve at the highest rates of any demographic group in our country's armed forces and their willingness to serve frankly deserves the highest thanks from a grateful nation," said Cramer. "These grants from the Tribal HUD-VASH program are an excellent tool to combat tribal veteran homelessness, and it's really an honor to announce it with Secretary Turner today."

"It is an honor to see how the Tribal HUD-VASH program is creating economic opportunity and pathways to self-sufficiency for Native American veterans," said Turner. "Today's funding announcement will expand the impact of this program to more Native American veterans across the country."

"The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is deeply grateful for Secretary Turner's and Senator Cramer's support for affordable housing for our at risk and homeless Veterans," said Chairwoman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Janet Alkire. "Our Tribal Veterans served to protect us and it is up to us to provide for them. The grant funding that our Housing Authority receives through the Tribal HUD-VASH program is a critical part of providing the housing our Veterans need and deserve. Providing housing on our Standing Rock Reservation is one of our highest priorities. The United States has an ongoing commitment under our 1851 and 1868 Treaties to provide housing on our Reservation. Our Tribal Leadership and Tribal Housing Authority look forward to engaging with Secretary Turner to find innovative solutions that will continue to expand our housing resources for our Veterans and all tribal members."

Secretary Turner was previously scheduled to be in North Dakota for the grant announcement at Standing Rock but was unable to attend.

The Tribal HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance and administrative fees from HUD with case management, clinical and supportive services provided by the VA. It is specifically for Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Native Americans serve in the military at five times the national average and have the highest per-capita service of any ethnic group. Cramer is a strong proponent for HUD-VASH funding and has consistently advocated for robust annual appropriations.