The Cowlitz Indian tribe and two other Southwest Washington Indian groups will share more than $1 million in federal housing assistance as part of the recently passed economic stimulus package.

The Cowlitz will receive $790,000, the Chehalis Confederated Tribes will get $296,000 and the Shoalwater Tribe at the north end of Willapa Bay will receive $96,300, according to the office of Southwest Washington Congressman Brian Baird.

Cowlitz tribal officials said they would use the grant money toward ongoing construction of low-income and elder housing for tribal members throughout the region, including St. Mary’s Center near Toledo.

The grants are part of the Native American Block Grant program, and the money was part of the recently passed Federal Reinvestment and Recovery Act, according to Baird’s office.

Tribes have been instructed to give priority to projects for which work can begin within six months. The funds will be released to the tribes within 30 days, according to Baird’s office.

The funds will be distributed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will be used for construction, acquisition and rehabilitation of housing for tribal members who need safe and affordable housing in the rural communities where they live.