Government & Civic

Intermediate

7 min read 6 stepsMay 8, 2026Verified May 2026

How to Apply for the Native American Housing Block Grant

Step-by-step guide for tribal elders and families applying for HUD Indian Housing Block Grant funding through their tribally designated housing entity.

At a Glance

Find Your Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE)

~46s

Visit hud.gov and search for Indian Housing Block Grant recipients. The agency posts an updated list of every TDHE along with the contact phone number, address, and website. You can also search online for your tribe's name plus housing authority or housing department. Most TDHEs run their own website with program descriptions, application forms, and current waiting list status. Call the office and ask three questions. First, what housing programs are open for applications right now? Second, is there a separate elder program with a priority list? Third, what documents do I need to gather before I apply? Write down the name of the staff person you speak with because you will probably call back with follow-up questions.

Quick Tip

Some tribes have several housing programs running at the same time. Ask the TDHE for a full list rather than only the program you read about first.

Gather Income, Tribal, and Household Documents

~48s

Most housing programs ask for the same set of documents. Pull together your tribal enrollment card or Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), a photo ID, the most recent Social Security or pension award letter, the past 90 days of bank statements, a recent utility bill that shows your home address, and a list of every person who lives in your household with their Social Security numbers. If you receive a tribal per capita payment, bring a recent payment statement. If you served in the military, bring your DD-214 because some programs give priority points to veterans. Make two photocopies of every document. Keep one set in a labeled folder at home and bring the other set to the office.

Warning

Some programs only count specific income for eligibility, such as Social Security and pension, while excluding others, such as tribal per capita. Ask the TDHE which income types count for your specific program.

Fill Out the Online or Paper Application

~52s

If the TDHE has an online portal, create an account, pick a strong password, and start a new application. Save your work often because some portals time out. If you prefer paper, ask the office to mail you the application or pick one up in person. The form asks for basic personal information, household size, income, current housing condition, and the specific help you are requesting. Be detailed about the housing condition. Write a list of every problem you can think of, even small ones like a leaking faucet or a broken outlet. The more specific you are, the easier it is for the housing inspector to scope the repairs. Attach photos if you have them. Sign and date the form, and keep a copy of the signed version.

Quick Tip

If you are filling out a paper form, write in pencil first and then go over the final answers in pen. This saves you from having to start over if you make a mistake.

Prepare for the Home Inspection

~49s

After your application is reviewed, the TDHE schedules a home inspection. An inspector visits your home, walks through every room, and writes a report on what needs to be repaired, replaced, or upgraded. The inspector usually arrives in a marked vehicle, wears a TDHE badge, and has called ahead to confirm the appointment. Walk the inspector through every problem on your list and add anything you forgot. Tell the inspector about cold spots, drafty windows, a furnace that runs constantly, water that takes a long time to heat, or any safety concern like a loose handrail or a tripping hazard. The report becomes the work scope for the contractor who does the repairs. If the report is missing something important, you can ask for a follow-up inspection before work begins.

Warning

Never pay an inspector or contractor any out-of-pocket fees. Federal grant money pays for the entire scope, and any request for cash up front is a scam.

Sign the Agreement and Schedule the Work

~51s

If the inspection report and budget are approved, the TDHE sends you a written agreement that lists the work to be done, the contractor who will do it, the start date, and the expected completion date. Read every line. Ask questions about anything that does not match your understanding. Pay close attention to the part about access to the home and any requirement to move belongings out of certain rooms. Sign two copies, keep one, and return one to the office. The contractor schedules the work and may need to visit several times to measure, deliver materials, install, and clean up. Most projects take two to eight weeks depending on the size of the work. Keep a notebook with the contractor's name, phone number, the date of each visit, and what was done that day.

Quick Tip

Take before-and-after photos of every room the contractor works in. The photos help if a problem comes up after the project is closed out.

Manage Waiting Lists and Reapply if Needed

~52s

Many tribes have waiting lists of one to three years for new construction projects and six months to a year for repair projects. Most lists are sorted by need, with elders, veterans, and households with children receiving priority. Stay in contact with the TDHE at least twice a year and confirm that your application is still active. Some programs require you to recertify income and household status every 12 months. If your situation changes, such as a new diagnosis that limits mobility, call the office and update your file because it may move you higher on the priority list. If your application is denied, ask for the reason in writing and request a hearing. Tribal advocates, legal aid programs, and the National American Indian Housing Council at 1-202-789-1754 can help you appeal.

Warning

Do not assume your name stays on the waiting list forever. Missing a recertification or a verification call can remove you from the list. And you may have to start over at the back.

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The Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) is the largest federal housing program for Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sends the funds directly to tribes or to a Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), which is the local agency that runs housing programs on or near the reservation. Tribes then decide how to spend the money based on community needs. Common uses include building new rental homes for low-income families, fixing roofs and furnaces in existing homes, paying down payment help for first-time homebuyers, weatherization for elder homes, and emergency repairs after storms or wildfires.

For many Native elders, the housing block grant pays for the kind of repairs that would otherwise be unaffordable, such as a new water heater, an accessible bathroom, a wheelchair ramp, or a furnace replacement. Some tribes also offer rental homes that are reserved for elders age 62 and older, with priority for those living in substandard conditions or facing homelessness. Most programs use income limits based on a percentage of the area median income, but elders often qualify because Social Security and pensions are usually within the eligible range.

The application process happens at the tribal or TDHE level, not at HUD. That means there is no national application. You apply to your tribe's housing office using its specific forms. Most tribes now accept online applications, paper applications, or both. The forms ask for proof of tribal enrollment, proof of income, proof of household members, a list of needed repairs or housing needs, and sometimes a sketch or photographs of the home.

This guide walks you through finding your tribe's housing entity, gathering documents, filling out the application online or on paper, what to expect during a home inspection, and how to handle wait lists. Many tribes have waiting lists of one to three years for new construction, so applying as soon as possible, even before the immediate need arises, is a smart strategy. Elder priority lists usually move faster than general lists.

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housing

hud

ihbg

native american

tribal housing

elders

home repair

Official Resources

USA.gov — Government Services SSA — Social Security Benefits.gov IRS Free File

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