Tribal Housing Authority Representative

Roles and Responsibilities

As sovereign nations, tribes are the direct recipients of federal funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each tribe chooses a Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), to administer its housing programs with these federal dollars. The TDHE may be a department within the tribe, a tribal housing authority with a separate board of commissioners, or a nonprofit organization. The entity designated by the tribe to receive HUD funds must comply with the rules and requirements of the federal program.

The tribal housing authority representative is designated as the main contact for all tribal housing authority services. As a member of the Elder protection team (EPT), this representative’s roles include, but are not limited to:

• Providing a designated representative from their agency to participate in regular EPT meetings.
• Providing information about the EPT to the tribal housing agency staff to increase awareness and referrals.
• Assist in the collaboration of additional agency services clients may need to utilize.
• Makes client referrals to the EPT for collaboration of additional community services essential to the wellbeing of an elderly person or vulnerable adult.
• Shares client information to the EPT, when appropriate
• Assists with detection, investigation (when appropriate), intervention, and prevention of Elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Follow-up with the elderly person to ensure resolution of concerns, and that situations have improved.
• Provide a brief client summary report during designated EPT meetings. It is suggested that all members use a standard case summary form. EPT members will complete and submit case summary forms to the EPT Coordinator for review prior to the meeting.
• Provide support and assistance to other EPT members.

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) PL104-330 became a law on January 3, 1996, and is the governing statute of the Office of Native American Programs (ONAP). The goal is to provide federal assistance for Native American tribes in a manner that recognizes the right of tribal self-governance.

Regulations for NAHASDA, which are negotiated with tribes after each reauthorization of the statue, can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 24 CFR Part 1000. HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing issues notices to articulate regulations in more detail. Notices are reviewed and approved by HUD’s Office of General Counsel. HUD’s ONAP issues program guidance, which are less formal interpretations of a regulation and are not vetted by the Office of General Counsel.

HUD Assisted Housing Program

HUD develops income limits based on Median Family Income estimates and Fair Market Rent area definitions. These income limits determine eligibility for assisted housing programs including:

• Public housing
• Section 8, project-based
• Section 8, housing choice voucher
• Section 202, housing for the elderly
• Section 811, housing for persons with disabilities programs

Tribal HUD Training

HUD’s office of Native American Programs sponsors several tuition free trainings and workshops for Tribal leaders, Tribal housing staff, board members, housing professionals, and community and nonprofit partners.

Some examples of trainings include:

• Indian housing plan
• Procurement
• Capacity
• Construction
• Crime prevention
• Tax credit and Title VI

Available Programs

The ONAP administers the following six programs available to American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH):

1. Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG)
   NAHASDA gave tribal governments’ greater control over the housing program by consolidating a number of federal housing programs that provided funding primarily to low-income Native Americans, into a single, formula driven recurring block grant program. Under the Indian Housing Block Grant, tribes self-determine the plan, design, construction and maintenance of affordable housing on Indian reservations and in Native communities
2. Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program (IHLGP)
   The IHLGP was created to help increase Native access to homeownership by providing a guarantee to lenders on mortgage loans made to Native borrowers. Section 184 loans can be used, both on and off Native land, and for construction, rehabilitation, refinance, or purchase of an existing home
3. Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG)
   The ICDBG provides single purpose grants for housing rehabilitation, land acquisition, community facilities, infrastructure construction, and economic development activities that benefit primarily low and moderate income persons
4. Title VI Loan Guarantee Program
   Authorized under NAHASDA, the Title VI Loan Guarantee Program assists IHBG recipients (borrowers) who want to finance grant-eligible construction or development activities such as: creating new housing, rehabilitating housing, building infrastructure, community facilities, acquiring land to be used for housing, or preparing architectural and engineering plans. Tribes may use a variety of funding sources in combination with Title VI financing
5. Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant
   NAHASDA was amended in 2000 to add Title VIII- Housing Assistance for Native Hawaiians. This is a similar program to the IHBG, but for Native Hawaiians who reside on Hawaiian Home Lands
6. Section 184A Native Hawaiian Home Loan Guarantee
   The Section 184A program provides access to sources of private financing for home ownership, property rehabilitation, and new construction opportunities for eligible Native Hawaiian Individuals and Families. These loans are limited to owner-occupant single family dwellings located on Hawaiian home lands

National Tribal Housing Directory

For more information, contact your area ONAP office in:

• Alaska – (907) 677-9836
• Eastern Woodlands – (800) 735-3239
• Hawaii – (808) 457-4662
• Northern Plains – (303) 672-5465
• Northwest – (808) 457-4674
• Southern Plains – (405) 609-8520
• Southwest – (602) 379-7200

Resources

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2017). Resources for Tribal Housing & TDHEs.