Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)

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Contents

	I am enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. My family and I wish to move to my reservation. What kind of program is available to help my family and me?
	How can I purchase a home on my reservation?
	The reality of homeownership in Indian Country can be complex. Why?
	Where can I find a lender that will work with me to buy a home on my reservation?
	I am Native American but I do not live on a reservation. Does HUD have any programs to help me?

Browse Questions and Answers

I am enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. My family and I wish to move to my reservation. What kind of program is available to help my family and me?

Many tribes have their own programs designed to meet the needs of their own citizens. You can contact the tribe where you are enrolled. Many tribes have Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) to manage their local housing programs and some tribes have Indian Housing Authorities (IHAs). Most will have a program to fit your needs whether it is to rent, buy or repair an existing home.

How can I purchase a home on my reservation?

Congress established the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Program in 1994. The loan program is designed to offer homeownership. The loan may also be used to purchase existing housing, property rehabilitation, and new construction for eligible tribes, Indian Housing Authorities and Native American individuals and families wanting to own a home on their native lands. You can find more information by calling toll free: 1-800-561-5913 or (303) 675-1600.

The reality of homeownership in Indian Country can be complex. Why?

The changing land status issues, diversity of tribal laws and governments, lack of mortgage information, homebuyer skills, homebuyer education, and credit issues all contribute to the challenges in mortgage lending. To address these challenges, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Treasury convened a task force of tribal governments, lenders, and federal agencies to develop the One Stop Mortgage Center Initiative Report. This report identifies barriers and recommends solutions and identifies actions that can be taken to make the mortgage process more user friendly and increase homeownership opportunities in Indian Country.

Where can I find a lender that will work with me to buy a home on my reservation?

A list of the HUD approved 184 lenders for financing homes is available online:

Participating Lender List

I am Native American but I do not live on a reservation. Does HUD have any programs to help me?

The programs administered by HUD’s Office of Native American Programs are available to Alaska Natives and Native Americans who live on a reservation or within an Indian area. However, HUD does have a number of other programs for which you may qualify. These include rental assistance and insured mortgage loans. While they are not exclusively for Native Americans, they do help provide decent, safe and affordable housing opportunities and may be exactly what you are looking for. Such programs are listed on HUD’s web site.