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Letter to the Hon. Julián Castro, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development - Concern Over St. Croix Chippewa's Use of HUD Grant Money; Duffy Requests Answers from HUD Secretary

Letter

Date: Oct. 28, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Indigenous Peoples Finance and Banking Government Operations Housing and Property

Dear Secretary Castro,

On behalf of tribal members in my district, I am troubled by recent reports that millions of dollars in grants given by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to tribes in Wisconsin may not be reaching those in need.

As part of an investigation into the finances of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute examined audits conducted in 2014 and 2015 of the St. Croix Chippewa Housing Authority, which received $2.3 million in federal housing grants. The 2015 audit identified more than $776,000 that will be "doubtfully collected" from Housing Authority tenants out of more than $924,000 owed. Additionally, of amounts received from HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program, the audit found that the Housing Authority "lack[ed] documentation to support the procurement process was carried out pursuant to IHBG rules and regulations" for more than $308,000 disbursed by the Housing Authority. This was a repeat finding from the 2014 audit, which found similar improprieties totaling more than $444,000. Another $23,000 was disbursed to individuals who lacked documentation to determine whether they were eligible for assistance.

These findings raise serious questions about the use of federal taxpayer dollars and whether such funds are getting to the tribal members who deserve and need assistance. Accordingly, I request answers to the following questions:

1) Is HUD aware of the 2014 and 2015 audits and in contact with the tribe about their findings and recommendations? If so, what actions has HUD taken?

2) How does HUD monitor the disbursement of IHBG and other federal dollars to ensure that resources are properly administered, allocated and accounted for by tribes?

3) What impact, if any, do the audit's findings have on current and future HUD financial support to the tribe?

Thank you for your attention for this matter. I respectfully request a response by not later than ‪October 10, 2016.

Sincerely,


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