Funding focuses on the construction of new homes, housing rehabilitation, and support for low-income families across Indian Country.
Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the availability of $150 million in funding. This funding is designated for affordable housing projects benefiting low-income families in American Indian and Alaska Native communities through the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive program. The announcement was made by HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard Monocchio, during a tour with Tribal leaders from the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi near Kalamazoo, MI. They visited a home construction site funded with a prior year competitive grant award.
“Ensuring affordable housing for Native American communities is a top priority for HUD,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “We take pride in partnering with Tribes to expand housing options and foster resilient communities, laying the foundation for generations to thrive.”
HUD will award the $150 million through the IHBG Competition supporting Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) to carry out affordable housing activities. HUD will prioritize funding for new housing construction projects, housing rehabilitation projects, and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects.
“It’s an honor to be welcomed by the Nottawaseppia Huron Band of the Potawatomi to see the incredible homes they have built through the Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive program,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Monocchio. “These awards are having a major impact on the shortage of affordable housing in Native American communities, and we are excited to see many more homes built with the funds we make available today.”
Under the IHBG Competition, eligible applicants receive grants primarily to construct new affordable housing in safe and healthy environments in Tribal communities. A 2017 HUD Housing Needs Study concluded that 68,000 new homes are needed to replace substantially dilapidated homes and to address severe overcrowding in Tribal communities. These grant funds will help Tribes build new homes to improve housing conditions for Tribal members and help address some of this need.
Learn more about the funding opportunity and how to apply here.