In an effort to increase local housing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $600,000 in grant money to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

“We want to use the funding to extend water out to the village where we’ll be building new homes,” Paige Risser, Director of Communications for the Potawatomi Band, said.

The extension will connect to 34 existing houses and provide water to 40 new units the Band plans to build over the next three years.

The grants awarded to the Band were part of a $56 million sum given to 76 Native-American communities throughout the country. The grants were competitive and are a part of HUD’s Indian Community Development Block Grant, which aims to generate community involvement and development opportunities and affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families.

“This funding is an investment to promote neighborhood development and increase affordable housing while encouraging economic growth for our tribal communities in Michigan,” Antonio R. Riley, HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, said.

The Potawatomi Band has received grant funding from HUD at least one other year, according to Risser.

“The grant process is different every year,” Risser said. “For us, whenever the funding is available, we’ll apply.”

According to HUD, the Hannahville Indian Community in Wilson, Mich., and the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Sault St. Marie also received $600,000 in grant money.

“It’s very gratifying to receive something like this,” Risser said. “We’re all very grateful.”