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"

IHBG Competitive NOFA Frequently Asked Questions (November 27, 2020) 

Please check out our updated Frequently Asked Questions that address commonly asked questions related to the FY20 IHBG Competitive grant application process.

A Technical Correction (TC) has been issued on grants.gov for the Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive NOFA (October 9, 2020)

The Technical Correction is implemented in Section V. Application Review Information via Subfactor 3.2-Project Implementation Plan (p. 43-45) and in Section VI. B.1 (p. 59) by omitting the Section 3 requirements that are no longer applicable to this NOFA.

Section V Subfactor 3.2 omitted language (p. 43-45):

• Description of how the applicant will train and/or employ residents pursuant to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 or contract with Section 3 businesses to provide other economic opportunities in accordance with Section III.F and III.G of this NOFA; and

•. If a conflict is identified between Section 3 and Indian Preference requirements, describe the nature of the conflict and how it will be addressed.

This change does not change impact the maximum amount of points an applicant can receive for this rating factor.

Section VI. B. 1 omitted language (p. 59):

• Economic Opportunities for Low-and Very Low-income Persons (Section 3).

Download a copy of the updated version here.

Dear Tribal Leader Letter - Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG)-Competitive Grant Program: 1) Corrected Application Package and 2) Training Sessions

The initial Grants.gov posting of the IHBG-Competitive Grant Program NOFA contained an omission error regarding the Certification for Opportunity Zone (OZ) Preference Points. The application package, via correction, now includes the OZ Certification form for applicants to download. Also, for any applicants that started the application process, the OZ Certification form has been removed from the downloadable instructions zip file. All applicants should download a new application package to ensure you are accessing the most recent, updated materials. For further information and to view the changes, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=328626

HUD will host two training sessions via webinar for eligible applicants on the IHBG-Competitive Grant Program NOFA. These sessions are being offered to provide multiple opportunities for potential applicants to attend and ask questions. One session will be held September 21^st-24^th from 12:30-5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and the other session will be held September 29^th-October 2^nd from 12:30-5:00 p.m. EDT.  Please refer to the agenda for a breakdown of the webinar training topics.