The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is among 21 tribal communities across the country to receive a $30,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, in partnership with the National American Indian Housing Council, for elder home repair projects.

With tribal nations across the country severely impacted by COVID-19, Wells Fargo has teamed up with the Native American Indian Housing Council to provide a total of $620,000 in grants to tribal housing programs to fund housing repairs for 96 elder homeowners in 21 tribal communities. The funding includes a total of $180,000 in grants funding home repair projects — such as plumbing upgrades, accessibility improvements, and heating maintenance/installation — for 30 senior homeowners in six tribal communities across Oregon and Washington.

At a time when tribes are forced to pare down services and devote their limited resources to pandemic response, these grants will help ensure the safety of senior homeowners and their families. Many of the homes can currently be classified as substandard based on plumbing, heating or other repair needs. The repairs made through the NAIHC Rehab Program will ensure that families have safe places to reside as they are forced to stay home due to COVID-19 physical distancing requirement.