HUD awards $4M to SE tribal groups

ANCHORAGE - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced Tuesday the award of 61 grants totaling $132 million to Native American and Native Alaskan communities across the country to improve housing and stimulate community development.

Five grants worth a total of $13 million are bound for Alaska, including two Southeast organizations:

• $2 million for Metlakatla Housing Authority

• $2 million Ketchikan Indian Corp.

• $5 million to AVCP Regional Housing Authority in Bethel

• $2 million to Asa'carsarmiut Tribe in Mountain Village

• $2 million to Arctic Village

Donovan made the announcement Tuesday during a tour of affordable housing projects in Anchorage. He'll join three other members of President Barack Obama's cabinet on Wednesday in rural Alaska.