TUCSON, AZ—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) awarded the Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association in Sells, Arizona with a $900,000 grant through the Capital Magnet Fund. The Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association is one of 40 recipients of the award, and will use the grant to provide more affordable housing opportunities to tribal members. In addition, the grant will fund other community services focused on economic development. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“With access to affordable housing becoming a major issue in Indian Country, I am thrilled the Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association (TOKA) received this award. Affordable housing is the foundation of building a strong community, and no one knows this better than the staff and supporters of TOKA. Since 1962, TOKA has built over 1,000 homes on the Tohono O’odham Nation, ensuring that residents have access to strong homes to build strong families. With this CDFI award, TOKA will have more resources to invest in their community, build quality homes, and ensure a better future for the people of the Tohono O’odham Nation.”

Under his presidential budget for FY2019, President Trump proposed eliminating funding for the CDFI discretionary grant and direct loan programs. Rep. Grijalva is a long-time proponent of CDFI funding, and signed an appropriations letter aimed at keeping this important program fully funded for the upcoming year.