BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Lummi Nation will receive over $7 million in federal funding for an affordable housing project.

Senator Patty Murray announced the $21 million funding package on Wednesday, August 30th, that will go towards the construction of 66 new housing units for three Washington tribal communities.

The Indian Housing Block Grant will support the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, in additon to the Lummi Nation.

The nation’s Housing Authority in Bellingham will build 32 housing units with their $7.5 million in funds.

In addition to the new housing, the funds will also help the tribes improve on existing housing conditions and issues of overcrowding.

Senator Murray said tribal communities face increased barriers in getting access to affordable housing.

Nearly one-third of Native households on tribal lands live in poverty compared to 18% of households nation wide, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.