HUD’s Office of Native American Programs Offers Indian Housing Block Grants for Affordable Housing in Indian Country

Indian Tribes (as defined under section 4(13) of NAHASDA) and; Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE) (as defined under 4(22) of NAHASDA) who have ever been allocated formula funding.

Applications submitted by a TDHE on behalf of an Indian tribe(s) must include a tribal certification(s) or resolution(s) on official letterhead authorizing the TDHE to apply on behalf of the tribe(s). HUD will accept existing Indian Housing Plan (IHP) certifications that state that the tribe has delegated to the TDHE the authority to submit an IHP or application on behalf of the tribe without prior review by the tribe. The certification(s) or resolution(s) must be submitted with the application. See Section IV.B.2.l.

An Indian tribe that authorizes a TDHE to apply on its behalf may not also submit its own application for funding. Such application will not be evaluated.

Subawards: Eligible applicants may subaward to other entities under this NOFO. In this instance, HUD will assess the entity listed on the SF-424 throughout this competition. 

Alaska Tribes Only:  Pursuant to Section 211 of the General Provisions in the 2021 Appropriations Act, only Native Alaskan Indian Housing Block Grant recipients that received IHBG grants in Fiscal Year 2005 are eligible to apply directly for funding under this NOFO.  Native Alaskan tribes that are required to designate a Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) in Alaska for their IHBG formula program may not apply directly for funding under this competition. Native Alaskan tribes that choose to but are not required to designate a TDHE in Alaska for its IHBG formula program may apply for IHBG competitive funds directly. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

In January 2017, HUD released a study entitled, “Housing Needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Tribal Areas: A Report from the Assessment of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing Needs.” Among the findings, the study found that tribal households are substantially worse than other U.S. households, with overcrowding in tribal areas being especially severe. The study noted that in the 2013-2015 period alone, 68,000 new units would have been necessary to help eliminate overcrowding and replace physically deteriorating units. Additional information is available at: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-research-022117.html

The Department recognizes that this additional IHBG funding provides an opportunity to fund strong and viable affordable housing projects in Indian Country. These projects could begin to address the concerns identified in the study.

In accordance with the Appropriations Act, HUD will give priority to projects that spur construction and rehabilitation, while considering need and administrative capacity. HUD strongly encourages new affordable housing construction projects that will increase the number of housing units available for low-income Indian families and help address the housing shortage in Indian Country. Additionally, HUD encourages housing rehabilitation projects that will increase the useful life of existing affordable housing units and alleviate substandard housing conditions. HUD also encourages acquisition of existing housing units that increases housing stock and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects that will enable future construction or rehabilitation.

While HUD will give funding priority for new construction projects, rehabilitation projects, acquisition of units and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects, applicants may also apply for funding to carry out other eligible activities under NAHASDA.

Finally, Indian tribes and TDHEs that are applying for funding under this NOFO are encouraged to propose projects that are part of a comprehensive plan to address housing conditions in their communities, including overcrowding and physically deteriorating units, as appropriate.

Applicants should also engage in long-term planning and ensure that the project being proposed is part of a holistic plan that considers planned future infrastructure development, economic development opportunities, and more.

All applications received through this NOFO that pass application screening and threshold review will be rated. Funds will be awarded in rank order based on the score received on the application submitted under this NOFO.  HUD reserves the right to issue a supplemental or independent NOFO if necessary (e.g., to ensure that all appropriated funds are awarded). Grantees must comply with the requirements of NAHASDA and 24 CFR part 1000.

The Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) within HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing will administer this program.

Indian Tribes (as defined under section 4(13) of NAHASDA) and; Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE) (as defined under 4(22) of NAHASDA) who have ever been allocated formula funding.

Applications submitted by a TDHE on behalf of an Indian tribe(s) must include a tribal certification(s) or resolution(s) on official letterhead authorizing the TDHE to apply on behalf of the tribe(s). HUD will accept existing Indian Housing Plan (IHP) certifications that state that the tribe has delegated to the TDHE the authority to submit an IHP or application on behalf of the tribe without prior review by the tribe. The certification(s) or resolution(s) must be submitted with the application. See Section IV.B.2.l.

An Indian tribe that authorizes a TDHE to apply on its behalf may not also submit its own application for funding. Such application will not be evaluated.

Subawards: Eligible applicants may subaward to other entities under this NOFO. In this instance, HUD will assess the entity listed on the SF-424 throughout this competition. 

Alaska Tribes Only:  Pursuant to Section 211 of the General Provisions in the 2021 Appropriations Act, only Native Alaskan Indian Housing Block Grant recipients that received IHBG grants in Fiscal Year 2005 are eligible to apply directly for funding under this NOFO.  Native Alaskan tribes that are required to designate a Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) in Alaska for their IHBG formula program may not apply directly for funding under this competition. Native Alaskan tribes that choose to but are not required to designate a TDHE in Alaska for its IHBG formula program may apply for IHBG competitive funds directly. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

In January 2017, HUD released a study entitled, “Housing Needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Tribal Areas: A Report from the Assessment of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing Needs.” Among the findings, the study found that tribal households are substantially worse than other U.S. households, with overcrowding in tribal areas being especially severe. The study noted that in the 2013-2015 period alone, 68,000 new units would have been necessary to help eliminate overcrowding and replace physically deteriorating units. Additional information is available at: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-research-022117.html

The Department recognizes that this additional IHBG funding provides an opportunity to fund strong and viable affordable housing projects in Indian Country. These projects could begin to address the concerns identified in the study.

In accordance with the Appropriations Act, HUD will give priority to projects that spur construction and rehabilitation, while considering need and administrative capacity. HUD strongly encourages new affordable housing construction projects that will increase the number of housing units available for low-income Indian families and help address the housing shortage in Indian Country. Additionally, HUD encourages housing rehabilitation projects that will increase the useful life of existing affordable housing units and alleviate substandard housing conditions. HUD also encourages acquisition of existing housing units that increases housing stock and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects that will enable future construction or rehabilitation.

While HUD will give funding priority for new construction projects, rehabilitation projects, acquisition of units and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects, applicants may also apply for funding to carry out other eligible activities under NAHASDA.

Finally, Indian tribes and TDHEs that are applying for funding under this NOFO are encouraged to propose projects that are part of a comprehensive plan to address housing conditions in their communities, including overcrowding and physically deteriorating units, as appropriate.

Applicants should also engage in long-term planning and ensure that the project being proposed is part of a holistic plan that considers planned future infrastructure development, economic development opportunities, and more.

All applications received through this NOFO that pass application screening and threshold review will be rated. Funds will be awarded in rank order based on the score received on the application submitted under this NOFO.  HUD reserves the right to issue a supplemental or independent NOFO if necessary (e.g., to ensure that all appropriated funds are awarded). Grantees must comply with the requirements of NAHASDA and 24 CFR part 1000.

The Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) within HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing will administer this program.