"This is exactly how the federal government should be supporting sustainability: helping communities who want to do the right thing for their environments, economies, and residents. Congress in its stupidity wisdom may have just used the federal budget to zero out the sustainability assistance program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development but, in what may be its last round of major grants for a good while, HUD yesterday awarded $97 million dollars for planning and other efforts in 27 regions and 29 communities across 32 states. The residents of those communities will be the better for it, and so will the planet.

Having admittedly read only somewhat superficially through HUD’s announcement, I do have two favorites in smaller grants made to indigenous communities. First, in New Mexico, the Pueblo de Cochiti, NM (by: OpenThreads, creative commons license)Pueblo de Cochiti Housing Authority will be awarded $292,023 to study historic settlement patterns around the community’s central Plaza. The Plaza hosts traditional and cultural activities throughout the year, and “this project aims to maintain and strengthen ties to the traditions, culture, and language of the Cochiti people. Through this effort, the Tribe will address substantial and long-term needs and obstacles for promoting local employment, affordable housing, cultural sustainability, and improved transportation systems.” "

Get the Story:
Kaid Benfield’s Blog: Native American communities (Switchboard / National Resources Defense Council 11/22)