Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive Grant Program

What is the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive Grant Program?

The IHBG program is authorized under Title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, as amended, (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.) (NAHASDA). Under the program, eligible Indian tribes and tribally-designated housing entities (TDHEs) receive grants to carry out a range of affordable housing activities. Grant funds may be used to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing in safe and healthy environments on Indian reservations and in other Indian areas, and carry out other affordable housing activities. Grant funds must be used to primarily benefit low-income Indian families. 

In January 2017, HUD released a study entitled, “Housing Needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Tribal Areas: A Report From the Assessment of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing Needs.” Among the findings, the study found that tribal households are substantially worse than other U.S. households, with overcrowding in tribal areas being especially severe. The study noted that in the 2013-2015 period alone, 68,000 new units would have been necessary to help eliminate overcrowding and replace physically deteriorating units. Additional information is available at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/ih/codetalk/onap/hsingstudy.

The Department recognizes that this additional IHBG funding provides a rare opportunity to fund strong and viable affordable housing projects in Indian Country. These projects could begin to address the concerns identified in the study. In accordance with the Appropriations Acts, HUD will give priority to projects that spur construction and rehabilitation, while considering need and administrative capacity. HUD strongly encourages new affordable housing construction projects that will increase the number of housing units available for low-income Indian families and help address the housing shortage in Indian Country. Additionally, HUD encourages housing rehabilitation projects that will increase the useful life of existing affordable housing units and alleviate substandard housing conditions. HUD also encourages necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects that will enable future construction or rehabilitation. While HUD will give funding priority for new construction projects, rehabilitation projects, and related necessary infrastructure projects, applicants may also apply for funding to carry out other eligible activities under NAHASDA.

Finally, Indian tribes and TDHEs that are applying for funding under this Program are encouraged to propose projects that are part of a comprehensive plan to address housing conditions in their communities, including overcrowding and physically deteriorating units, as appropriate. Applicants should also engage in long-term planning and ensure that the project being proposed is part of a holistic plan that considers planned future infrastructure development, economic development opportunities, and more.

How to Apply?

Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities can visit www.grants.gov to locate the funding announcement and application package. 

For assistance or additional information, please contact your local ONAP or email requests to: IHBGCompetitiveProgram@hud.gov.

IHBG Competitive NOFA Implementation Schedule (HUD Form – 53247)

A new Implementation Schedule (HUD-53247) has been added to the application package on grants.gov. The new form is fillable. Applicants may download the form and enter the necessary information directly to the form. The new file name is "New Implementation Schedule 53247IHBG"

APR Form for IHBG Competitive

When clicking on PDF links sometimes the form attempts to open a browser before it can be saved. It is best to download and save the form before opening and completing the form. 

• "Right Click" on the form link
• Click "Save Target As" or “Save link As”
• Save the file to desktop (or a preferred file location on your computer).
• After saving the file to the computer, locate the file and open the downloaded document to complete the IHP/APR.