The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a record $1.1 billion in funding for the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program, along with a $75 million funding opportunity for the Indian Community Development Block (ICDBG) program. The announcement was made by Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman during a meeting with the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee at HUD Headquarters.
Todman stated, “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.” She further emphasized that this investment marks the 50th anniversary of the ICDBG program and underlines the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Tribes and investing in Indian Country.
The IHBG program is primarily responsible for fulfilling Federal Government's trust responsibilities to provide adequate housing to Native Americans. This year's funding represents a 40-percent increase from last year, making it the largest ever investment in Indian housing. The funds can be utilized for various affordable housing activities including new housing construction, rehabilitation, and housing services.
In addition, $75 million will be awarded through the ICDBG program to assist eligible grantees in developing viable American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Projects typically focus on affordable housing rehabilitation, as well as construction of community buildings and infrastructure.
Since the beginning of 2021, millions of Americans have faced unprecedented housing challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, rising rents, high interest rates, affordable housing shortages, and long-standing effects of housing discrimination. These issues have particularly impacted low- and moderate-income families as well as Tribal communities.
The Biden-Harris Administration has since made significant strides towards improving Tribal housing conditions. In FY 2024 alone, HUD awarded more than $1 billion in funding for housing in Tribal communities through three major programs: the IHBG program, the IHBG Competitive program, and the ICDBG program. In FY 2023, Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities acquired almost 1,000 new housing units through these programs.
HUD has also made homeownership more accessible for Native American families by reducing fees charged to homebuyers with Section 184 Indian Home loan. This move has 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.
In addition to these initiatives, President Biden issued an Executive Order on December 6, 2023, to reform Federal processes for Tribal Nations and better support Tribes in embracing trust responsibilities and promoting self-determination. The order directs all Federal agencies to assess historical underfunding of Tribal programs and take action to increase access and reduce administrative burden for Tribes.
Finally, HUD has worked diligently to strengthen Nation-to-Nation relationships through a Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships issued by President Biden on January 26, 2021. In response to this memorandum, HUD established its first Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC), which works closely with senior HUD leadership and Tribal Leaders to ensure that the needs of Tribes are being met in how HUD programs are designed and implemented.
