A Virginia tribe is getting a boost that will help keep roofs over their members' heads.
The Monacan Indian Nation in Madison Heights received $409,437 in federal funding for affordable housing.
Tribal administrator Adrian Compton said this money will be used for several things including rental assistance, buying homes for the tribe, weatherization and other programs like youth drug prevention and rehabilitation services.
"These federal funds come in very, very handy and are used very diligently to help us help people," Compton said.
Compton said inflation has put a lot of stress on tribal members, so he said this funding is going to help them tremendously.
He added that they recently purchased land at Laurel Cliff Farm where they plan to build homes for tribe members and some of this funding will go toward that housing.
Chief of the tribe, Kenneth Branham, said this money is going to help their elders have a comfortable retirement.
"They deserve it if anybody does," Chief Branham said.
He adds it will also help younger members of the tribe become homeowners in the future.
The funds were awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Housing Block Grant Program.
This is part of $1,402,421 in federal funding that Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced for affordable housing for Virginia Tribes.