Description

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announces the availability of 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 the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 (Public Law 117-328) (Appropriations Act), Congress provided a total of $150,000,000 for competitive grants to eligible IHBG recipients authorized under NAHASDA in addition to formula-based funding. This NOFO describes the criteria that HUD will use to award IHBG Competitive grants, and outlines program requirements. 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 conditions for 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.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-research-022117.html.The Department recognizes that this additional IHBG funding provides an 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 Act, HUD will give priority to projects that spur construction and rehabilitation of housing, while considering housing need and the recipient's 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 the acquisition of existing housing units that increases housing stock and necessary affordable housing-related infrastructure projects that will enable future construction or rehabilitation.While HUD will give funding priority for new housing construction projects, housing rehabilitation projects, acquisition of existing housing units that increase affordable housing stock, and necessary affordable housing-related 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 NOFO are encouraged to propose projects that are part of a comprehensive plan to address housing conditions in their communities, including overcrowding, physically deteriorating units, and housing that is inaccessible for individuals with disabilities 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.All applications received through this NOFO that pass initial application screening and threshold review will be rated. Funds will be awarded in rank order based on the score received on the application submitted under this NOFO. HUD reserves the right to issue a supplemental or independent NOFO if necessary (e.g., to ensure that all appropriated funds are awarded). Grantees must comply with the requirements of NAHASDA and 24 CFR part 1000.The Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) within HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing will administer this program.