Meskwaki Settlement, Iowa – May 20, 2025: The Meskwaki Tribe is proud to announce a major achievement in Tribal housing. For the first time since taking over management from the former Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), all 20 apartment units managed by the Tribe are officially listed on the “Currently Assisted Stock.” This means every unit is now eligible for funding and support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
This milestone reflects years of commitment and hard work by the Tribe’s housing team. Special recognition goes to Winona Tahdooahnippah for her leadership and dedication in making this possible. Ensuring all units qualify for HUD assistance strengthens the Tribe’s ability to provide safe, stable, and affordable housing for the community.
“This is great news,” Tahdooahnippah advised. “We were originally expecting about $377,800 for FY2025. Our IHBG plan covers things like maintaining and updating the housing units, doing rehab work, and helping with college housing. Getting $529,236 is a big deal! It means IHBG can team up with other tribal programs like Higher Education and Senior Services. This funding will help us focus on what our community needs and is a big win for the Meskwaki Settlement.”
Over the past year and a half, the Tribe has experienced a renewed and highly productive partnership with HUD. Following internal personnel changes at the agency, HUD has been especially responsive and supportive of the Meskwaki Tribe’s housing goals. This improved collaboration has helped make important progress possible.
This announcement comes alongside recent news from HUD regarding significant funding for Tribal communities. On a national level, HUD awarded $1.1 billion through its Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program. In the Great Plains region, including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, HUD announced nearly $14 million in new IHBG funding. The Meskwaki Tribe will receive $529,236 to support housing programs for our community.
“From day one, HUD has been engaged on alleviating affordable housing challenges facing urban, rural, and Tribal communities,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to serve Tribal communities while working towards meeting Indian Country’s housing needs.”
The IHBG program provides funding to help Tribes develop, operate, and maintain housing. It also supports safety, crime prevention, and services for families and individuals in need. The Tribe’s housing team looks forward to continuing its work in partnership with HUD to ensure that our families have access to safe and affordable housing. This latest milestone is a testament to the hard work and persistence of everyone involved.
