Dr. Ruiz Helps Secure Housing Funding for Torres Martinez Tribe

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) and the Torres Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians announced a $3.7 million grant to address the housing shortage on tribal reservation land. This grant will allow the Tribe to construct safe, affordable housing units for families currently residing in crowded environments.

"Adequate and affordable housing is essential to the well-being and health of a community," Dr. Ruiz said. "That is why I am thrilled to have helped bring $3.7 million for affordable housing construction to reduce overcrowding and ultimately improve the lives of the residents in the Torres-Martinez community."

"We are excited about the opportunities that this money will bring for our community," said Joseph Mirelez, the Vice Chair of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. "We thank Dr. Ruiz for his continued advocacy on behalf of our tribe and look forward to breaking ground on the construction of these homes that will improve our family and community life."

You can read Dr. Ruiz's letter of support here.

Background

In a letter to Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Benjamin Carson, Dr. Ruiz advocated for the Torres Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians to receive funding under the Indian Housing Block Grant Program.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that the Tribe received at least $3.7 million in funding to construct affordable housing units for families currently residing in overcrowded environments.

Funding under this program will enable the Tribe to construct twelve affordable, single-family homes for families to address the housing shortage on the reservation, reduce overcrowding, and improve the lives of the residents living there.