Two more years for Sen. Tim Johnson to get a lot done

With all the news about marriage equality,  this important work of Sen. Tim Johnson was ignored in the South Dakota legacy media.  From Indian Country Today Media Network:

On April 3, the Pine Ridge and Lake Traverse reservations received news that they would be receiving $466,390 as part of a 
$1.9 million grant package for housing rehabilitation and improvement that was announced by Senator Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
“These funds will have a real impact in Indian country, helping families rehabilitate their homes and build a stronger and safer future for their communities,” Johnson said.

The Sisseton Wahpeton Housing Authority will receive $300,000 to help 30 homeowners on the Lake Traverse Reservation according to a press release from Johnson’s office. The recipients, all tribal members, will receive assistance in either making structural repairs or improving accessibility.
Oglala Sioux Lakota Housing in Pine Ridge will receive $166,390. The grant will be used to repair and improve seven rental homes for elderly residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Dacotah Bank, sponsor of both grants, is one of many local financial institutions that have partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines to generate the funds to be used for rehabilitation and repair of hundreds of properties.

“The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and their local partners deserve a lot of credit for the work they do for families and communities across this state,” Johnson said.

"For several years, FHLB Des Moines has made improving or creating homes for Native American a priority in our Affordable Housing Program scoring. We are proud to be providing additional funding today for Native American housing programs," said Van Fishback, director of FHLB Des Moines.

The copy.9 million will be split among seven organizations and came from FHLB’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) which has distributed more than $20 million to projects in South Dakota since its creation. The grants are privately-funded by FHLB’s earnings, and no taxpayer funds are involved.