The town of Warm Springs is seen here on Dec. 7, 2021.

Up to 10 tribal veterans who are homeless or could become homeless on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation will get help with rent thanks to a $145,000 federal award announced Aug. 26.

The Warm Springs Housing Authority was the only tribal agency in Oregon to be included in a $10 million federal award that reached eight others in the Northwest and 29 nationwide. The money boosts a joint program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs that subsidizes rents and provides case management to Native American veterans.

“Expanding services for homeless Native American veterans to secure and maintain housing is a top priority,” said Adrianne Todman, acting secretary of the federal housing department, in a news release. “This significant renewal of funding today emphasizes our commitment to sustaining quality, safe and affordable housing for those veterans across Indian Country who proudly served our nation.”

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Warm Springs to receive $7.5 million from HUD for new housing

There are 91 homeless people living in Warm Springs, according to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count. That’s an increase from 73 in 2023 and 22 in 2022, according to Byron Kimball, a spokesperson for the tribe.

Since 2015, homelessness has increased among Native Americans and Alaska Natives by 53%, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Indigenous people experience the second-highest rate of homelessness of any racial or ethnic group in the country.

Meanwhile, homelessness among veterans is on the rise again after years of decline due to targeted efforts.

The tribal rent support and case management program was established in 2015. Renewed funding for Warm Springs comes alongside efforts to improve substandard housing and infrastructure on the reservation.

Last year, a pair of federal awards provided nearly $10 million for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs to build housing units.