Congress passed and President Biden signed into law a final fiscal year FY 2024 spending package that includes a significant increase for HUD’s Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program. This increase provides the greatest single year increase for IHBG funding since the program was first funded in 1998. The Appropriations bill provides IHBG with a 2024 funding level of $1.11 billion. This compares to the FY 2023 IHBG Appropriation of $787 million.
Since its passage in 1996, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), – an arguably initially underfunded program – has been held at essentially a stagnant level of funds. This doesn’t account for inflation, which has been particularly impactful in the construction industry since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So while this increase in Tribal housing dollars is long overdue and still well below the needed levels, this year’s appropriations will result in a significant increase in Tribal IHBG allocations—even over and above what you may have submitted in your annual IHPs.
This is a great opportunity for Tribal TDHE’s and housing departments to advance development projects, increase funds for housing programs, or even support the foundational planning & structure of their housing programs.
- Complete a community needs assessment & long-term strategic plan
- Develop project plans & infrastructure to prepare applications for IHBG Competitive of ICDBG Funds
- Conduct a feasibility study for market-rate rental units to replenish housing funds in the future
- Conduct a compensation study & align your salaries with the regional market
- Conduct a session aligning your Tribal Council & TDHE Board / Housing Department Staff
- Complete a feasibility study & business plan
- for a permanent supportive housing or workforce housing project
- Allocate additional funds to your housing programs
- Allocate funds to completing or launching housing development
Need help planning & prioritizing the highest potential usage of your additional funds? Blue Stone’s experts are available to help.
Alec Tiger is a proud member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Based out of Colorado, Tiger earned a Bachelor of the Arts dual degree in Philosophy & Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder. He was awarded summa cum laude.