Funding will address housing challenges in Tribal communities, marking an historic increase in federal support.
Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman welcomed the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee at HUD Headquarters where she announced awarding a record $1.1 billion in funding for the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program and a $75 million funding opportunity for the Indian Community Development Block (ICDBG) program to support housing and community development projects.
“By prioritizing funding and support for housing in Tribal communities, HUD is living up to its mission of ensuring that everyone in this country has access to affordable housing options,” said Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Indian Community Development Block Grant program, we are investing in the continued health of Tribal communities across our country. Today’s announcement emphasizes the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to strengthening the Nation-to-Nation relationship with Tribes and making key investments in Indian Country.”
The IHBG program is the primary means by which the Federal Government fulfills its trust responsibilities to provide adequate housing to Native Americans and is the single largest source of Indian housing assistance. The $1.1 billion in funding represents a 40-percent increase from last year and marks the largest ever funding investment in Indian housing. Funding can be used for affordable housing activities including new housing construction, rehabilitation, and housing services, and more.
The $75 million that will be awarded through the ICDBG program will provide eligible grantees with assistance in developing viable American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Projects in Indian Country tend to focus on affordable housing rehabilitation, and construction of community buildings and infrastructure.
At the onset of this Administration, we witnessed unprecedented housing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising rents, historically high interest rates, affordable housing shortages, and the cumulative effects of a deep history of housing discrimination. Millions of Americans were behind on their rents and mortgages and HUD stood in the gap. Issues facing the American people at the start of 2021 burdened families of all income levels, with a particular impact on low- and moderate-income families. This was particularly true for Tribal communities.
Since that time, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken great strides to affect positive change in Tribal housing, including:
HUD Provided Historic Investments in Tribal Communities
- In FY 2024, HUD has awarded more than $1 billion in funding for housing in Tribal communities through the following three major programs:
- the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program
- the IHBG Competitive program
- the Indian Community Development Block Grant program
- In FY 2023 alone, Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities acquired almost 1,000 new housing units through the IHBG and IHBG Competitive programs.
HUD Made Homeownership More Accessible and Affordable for Native American Families
- HUD reduced fees charged to homebuyers with Section 184 Indian Home loan – a move that allowed more people to qualify for a mortgage and can save the average Native American family almost $6,800 over the term of their loan.
- Additionally, new regulations were published to improve and modernize the Section 184 program this spring.
HUD Honors Trust Responsibilities and Promotes Self-Determination
- On December 6, 2023, President Biden issued an Executive Order to reform Federal processes for Tribal Nations and better support Tribes in embracing trust responsibilities and promoting the next era of Tribal self-determination.
- The Executive Order directs all Federal agencies to assess historical underfunding of Tribal programs by reviewing and evaluating programs and funding sources where Tribes are eligible and take action to increase access and reduce administrative burden for Tribes.
- HUD has already taken steps to implement the Executive Order by establishing funding set-asides for Tribes in various competitive programs and will continue to take action to further the purposes of the Executive Order across HUD programs.
HUD Worked to Strengthen Nation-to-Nation Relationships
- On January 26, 2021, President Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships.
- The Memorandum affirms the Administration’s commitment to Tribal sovereignty and to fulfilling Federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations and calls for Federal agencies to take action.
- HUD quickly responded by developing a Tribal Consultation Plan of Actions and expanding its Tribal consultation efforts throughout the Department.
- In response to President Biden’s Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, HUD established its first Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC).
- The TIAC brings together senior HUD leadership and Tribal Leaders to ensure the needs of Tribes are being met in how HUD programs are designed and implemented.
HUD provided relief to Tribal communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- The Biden-Harris Administration responded with the American Rescue Plan, which provided $750 million in HUD resources to Indian Country.
HUD works to serve Native Veterans every day
- The Biden-Harris Administration has provided continued support for Native veterans through the Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) program, which links housing with other vital services for veterans.
- More than 440 Native veterans are currently being served through the Tribal HUD-VASH program.