(MSC News)--Fort Riley is helping members of the Kickapoo Tribe with adequate housing.

WIBW-TV reports military leaders at the post Tuesday signed over ten homes to tribal leaders as part of “ Operation Walking Shield,” which provides housing for Native Americans.

Fort Riley officials say a large portion of the older housing on the military post is abandoned and was slated for demolition.   

Officials say the Operation Walking Shield program, which was the brainchild of Arizona Senator John McCain, will give the homes new life.

The first house was moved off site Tuesday, and will be transported to the Kickapoo Reservation near Horton.

Kickapoo Tribal Chairman Lester Randall told the TV station that the program will give multi-families that live in one household on the reservation an opportunity to have their own home whether rented or owned.  In addition, Randall says it will allow more members to move back to the reservation, which will economically help the tribe.

Currently, the tribe operates sixty-six homes through the HUD program.