Lakota Funds

Project Title: Building Jobs, Buildings Homes
Region (applicant-defined)/State(s) or territory served: All 9 Tribal Reservations in South Dakota
Phase (applicant-defined): Phase 1 - System Development
Award Amount: $5,000,000
Key Industry / Industries: Building and Construction
Contact: Tawney Brunsch, Executive Director, [email protected]; Lavonne Randall, Finance Director, [email protected]
Project Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)
View Press Release
Summary:
The Indigenous homebuilding industry cannot grow and provide much-needed housing to Tribal communities without a skilled workforce. As the lead for the Building Jobs, Building Homes project, Lakota Funds – a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) – will address a severe housing shortage on Tribal lands (across nine reservations) by training Indigenous people in construction trades and as certified appraisers and inspectors. In partnership with South Dakota State University, Lakota Funds will implement a certified appraiser program, addressing a significant barrier to housing construction on Tribal lands. To support this underserved population, Lakota Funds will provide a variety of wraparound services during training.

The project narrative included above is what was submitted by the applicants. The final EDA-approved scope of work may differ.