Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Announce $7.5 Million to Taos Pueblo for Affordable Housing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are announcing $7,500,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Taos Pueblo under the Indian Housing Block Grant Program (IHBG) Competitive Grant Program. The funding will be used by Taos Pueblo to build 24 affordable housing units.
“The thought of buying a home—or even keeping up with rising rent payments—feels out of reach for too many. We need to change that,” said Heinrich. “This investment is an important step toward meeting that goal, connecting Taos Pueblo with federal resources to build 24 new affordable housing units that will give more families a safe and secure place to call home and a foundation for a better future. I will continue doing everything in my power to fight for the support and housing resources Tribal communities need and deserve.”
“We need to do more to ensure New Mexican has a safe place to call home, including in our Tribal communities,” said Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to welcome this critical funding to Taos Pueblo to build new housing units for Tribal families. I will continue working to secure NAHASDA investments that help Tribes provide safe, affordable, and accessible housing on Tribal lands.”
"Being a homeowner opens up the possibility to build financial stability and generational wealth,” said Leger Fernández. “This important investment will help make that a reality for Taos Pueblo families. I will continue to work to address the housing crisis in New Mexico and make sure everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.”
“Taos Pueblo like many other tribal communities around the country, has been in dire need of housing for our tribal members and without housing, we cannot entirely sustain our communal constructs and customs of our people. Therefore, Taos Pueblo has taken the voices of our people in developing a sustainable 50 acre housing development project. Through this award, Taos Pueblo will now be able to enter into housing construction, providing homes for those most in need, while continuing our work to assure that all tribal members have safe, affordable quality housing,” said Taos Pueblo Governor Gary J. Lujan.
About HUD's IHBG Competitive Grant Program:
HUD's IHBG Competitive Grant Program provides grants to support development in Tribal communities and funds affordable housing activities, including new housing construction, rehabilitation, housing services, and much more. Grant funds must be used to primarily benefit low-income Tribal families. More information about the program can be found here.
