Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that nine Oregon tribes will receive more than $10.5 million in affordable housing grants under the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation will receive $1.38 million.
“Tribes in Oregon have been rocked by COVID-19, and affordable housing is a must to keep community members safe during this pandemic and beyond,” Wyden said. “I’m proud to have helped pass the American Rescue Plan to provide these vital resources and more that recognize tribal communities and communities throughout our state continue to need assistance now to weather this public health crisis and its economic fallout.”
“It’s clear that this pandemic has hit Black, Brown, Native, and low-income communities the hardest, and made existing problems—like the growing affordable housing crisis—even worse,” said Merkley. “That’s why it was so important to me and my colleagues that the American Rescue Plan include the resources that local communities, including tribal communities, need to make sure that everyone has access to a safe place to call home. I will continue to do all that I can to work alongside tribal leaders to build on this progress throughout, and after, the coronavirus crisis, while also supporting tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
“The American Rescue Act housing grant will go a long way to help us provide options for our community,” said Kat Brigham, chair of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. “Affordable housing is in short supply and we will put these dollars to good use. We are grateful to Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley for working to uphold treaty obligations.”
