"USDA Rural Development and Housing and Urban Development staff celebrated the building dedication of the first Housing Authority in the nation recently. Started over 50 years ago, the Oglala Sioux Lakota Housing Authority located on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation, in South Dakota, hosted officials in honor of the opening of their newly constructed administration building. Funded through a USDA Rural Development’s Recovery Act Community Facility Direct loan of $3.6 Million, the building stands for the coordinated effort of many agencies.

South Dakota State Rural Development Director, Elsie Meeks joined Tribal and Housing Authority leaders to celebrate the partnerships and collaboration that made it a momentous day. Joining the leaders were Sandra Henriquez, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Public and Indian Housing and other HUD officials. Both officials spoke of their agency’s commitment to work together and share the responsibility to honor and support the housing needs for the Sioux nation."

Get the Story:
South Dakota Rural Development Coordinator Christine Sorensen: USDA Committed to Supporting Improvement of Housing Quality in Indian Country (USDA Blog 8/28)

Related Stories:
Oglala Sioux Tribe opens $3.6M building for housing authority (8/28)