A South Dakota organization has received a $1.7 million grant to support Native American homeownership.
The South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition hosted an annual meeting and planning day this week in Sioux Falls.
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R) spoke at the meeting, offering federal policy updates. He said his new bill would offer support to Native American veterans.
“Native Americans serve in our nation’s military at five times the national average. And this charter would give them the recognition they truly deserve and have earned. There are many congressionally chartered veterans’ organizations but none that solely represent the interest and needs of Native American veterans,” said Rounds.
Tim Rios is the Senior Vice President of Rural Strategy at Wells Fargo. He presented a check to the coalition.
“This $1.7 million dollar grant recognizes the incredible work of this coalition, and what its doing to uplift families. We hope the funding will provide the additional leverage needed to scale your programs, that are tailored uniquely for Native communities,” said Rios.
Sharon Vogel is the Chairperson for the coalition. She said homeownership is important for all communities.
“Every community, including our communities, has hard-working families. And they want to own their own home. You know, home ownership is the beginning of wealth and stability, and being able to achieve the sense of security when you own your own home," said Vogel. "Within our communities we need to make sure that these hard-working families know that homeownership is possible for them.”
Vogel said homeownership is a great place to start but there are many other barriers to remove for the Native American community.
