PLUMMER - Days after receiving a half million in federal grant money, The Coeur d'Alene Tribe already has plans to put the money to work.

"I am very pleased," said Coeur d'Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan. "The dollars will help improve our tribal housing development and the money will inject dollars into the regional economy."

The funds will be used by the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Housing Authority to renovate and install energy-saving upgrades and rehabilitate 35 of its rental homes.

"This funding helps our country's Native American and Alaska Native communities improve the living conditions for hard-working families who need the most help," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "This is an investment to promote neighborhood development, produce affordable housing, and help create much-needed jobs."

The $500,000 Indian Community Block Grant was one of 50 competitive grants given to tribes and Alaska native villages by HUD totaling $33.6 million.

Rosanna Allan, the Tribe's Housing Authority executive director, said the upgrades are part of a larger effort to improve housing for tribal members living on the reservation.

"We're working hard to address the quality and quantity of the tribal housing," Allan said. "We want the tribal members to have the best housing possible."

The Tribe will unveil a new family housing development called the Gathering Place later this spring. The 20-unit subdivision, which is located off Agency Road near the old tribal headquarters, uses straw bale construction techniques.

"This funding is as critical to meeting the needs of these communities as they would be in a large, urban center" said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Mary McBride. "We look forward to working with the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Housing Authority as it continues to move forward in meeting the unique challenges and circumstances its community faces."