BARAGA, Mich. – The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) has been selected as one of 11 communities to be awarded Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding.
The $2 million award will fund a transformative infrastructure project aimed at addressing the pressing need for safe and affordable housing on the L’Anse Indian Reservation.
The federally recognized Tribe, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has been awarded Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) funding to support the construction of essential infrastructure for 20 housing construction site lots on their Reservation.
This landmark project comes in response to a critical shortage of housing, with the IHBG formula indicating a deficit of 212 units in the area. The proposed ICDBG infrastructure construction project has been strategically planned to meet the immediate needs of the community. KBIC, with 1,032 Tribal members residing on the Reservation, owns the land earmarked for the project and has committed to leveraging its value to ensure the success of the initiative.
A member survey conducted in 2023 highlighted the significant challenges faced by KBIC members in acquiring their own homes. The lack of potential homes and insufficient infrastructure on Tribal lands were identified as top barriers.
The Tribe, through the ICDBG funding, aims to address these challenges by constructing water, sewer, electric, telephone, broadband, lighting, and roadways over a 31-acre parcel.
“This critical funding will help Tribal Nations meet the needs of their communities and build towards their futures,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “Our Administration is proud to fulfill its (more) responsibility to our Tribal Nations in ways that respect their sovereignty and allow them to thrive.”
By providing affordable leasing options for 20 families, KBIC aims to empower its members to own safe, energy-efficient homes. KBIC Chief Executive Officer, Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham, expresses deep gratitude to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for recognizing and supporting the serious housing needs of the community.
“This funding marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our Tribal members. I also want to acknowledge the amazing work by the KBIC team who put this effort together. Without their vision and foresight, this would not have been possible.”
