Important Indian Housing News

 

NEXT GLIHA MEETING – July 14-15, 2026

The GLIHA meeting will be conducted at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota on July 14-15, 2026 and hosted by the Mille Lacs Band. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on July 14, 2026 and will be completed by 3:00 p.m. on July 15th. Reservations can be made at the website Grand Casino Hinckley or by calling 1-800-468-3517 with the offer code: GL0713H. Guests will have until Thursday June12, 2026 to book the block. A special rate of $99.00 a night has been reserved for GLIHA members. Make your reservations now. The room block at our last meeting was quickly exhausted.

ICDBG Income Exclusion Requirement

Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) grantees must exclude Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) service-connected disability compensation when calculating income to determine a household’s Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) status.

  • The Legislation: This requirement was enacted under the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act (Public Law 119-70).
  • The Goal: The law eliminates the “income trap” where earned disability benefits accidentally disqualified disabled veterans from receiving critical low-income housing and community block grant assistance.
  • Application: All Indian tribes and tribal organizations administering an ICDBG grant must enforce this exclusion during individual household eligibility reviews.

ICDBG Income Calculation Guidance

Aspect

Policy Rules & Exceptions

Household LMI Eligibility

Must exclude all VA service-connected disability compensation from total annual income.

Area Benefit Category

Grantees may continue to use traditional Census-based data to verify if  an area is 51% LMI, even though standard Census metrics do not factor out VA disability pay.

Other Exclusions

Grantees must still track other mandatory exclusions, such as Tribal Trust Settlements, NAHASDA benefits, and specific lumpsum deferred VA payments.

Tribal Economies Webinar Series

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Department of the Treasury Office of Tribal and Native Affairs are hosting a national Tribal Economies Webinar Series. The four installments will highlight strategies Tribal governments and Indian Country businesses can pursue to finance projects that promote economic growth and housing opportunities. Practitioners will discuss the latest trends in Tribal finance, including the use of tax incentives, participation loans across regions, and the growth and development of financial institutions that serve Indian Country. There is no fee to participate, but registration is required.

Below is a description of each session:

Session 1 – Expanding Financial Institutions in Indian Country
June 17, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Description: Join this session to learn about increasing the number of financial institutions that serve Indian Country. Presenters will include representatives from banks, community development financial institutions, and credit unions.

Session 2 – Closing the Gaps: Lender Credit Stacking in Tribal Communities
July 22, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Description: Indian Country project finance often incorporates a range of private and public sources. This session will feature recent examples of participation loans and other creative solutions to Tribal finance challenges.

Session 3 – Attracting Private Capital in Indian Country Through Tax Credit Financing
August 19, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Description: Tax credit finance is a critical aspect in many Tribal projects, including housing and economic development. This session will provide examples of how Tribal projects can utilize New Markets Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Session 4 – Bond Finance in Tribal Communities
September 23, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Description: During this session, hear from financial institutions and Tribal governments how bond issuance can help grow Tribal economies and bring more capital to Indian Country. Presenters will share current examples.

To register for any of the Tribal Economies Webinar Series sessions, please click this link: https://cvent.me/M15QKQ [cvent.me].

GLIHA MEETING – March 11-12, 2026

A GLIHA meeting was held March 11-12, 2026 at the Soaring Eagle Casino Hotel in Mt.Pleasant, MIchigan. A number of important Indian housing issues were addressed at this gathering. PowerPoint links are below.

IHBG 1% Fire Wind Hail Deductible final (1)
2026 DTE Multifamily Program Overview – RBF
Kanso_HOTMA_Tribal_Executive_Briefing (1)
GLIHA Presentation SFC Overview 20260310 (1)
FINAL.IMPLementation TA ppt.CDOLPHIN.DEC.226.2026

Section 184

HUD is in the process of revising the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program regulations located at 24 CFR Part 1005. Pursuant to HUD’s Tribal consultation policy, HUD is seeking Tribal comments on revisions to the relevant regulations. Although the Section 184 Program regulations were extensively revised following thirteen Tribal consultations that occurred between 2022 and 2023, HUD is now seeking further Tribal feedback on the revised regulations that may be administratively burdensome to Tribes and lenders participating in the program. The Section 184 program is a critical program that brings mortgage capital to Tribal communities and brings much needed homeownership opportunities to Indian Country. Please submit all comments by March 28, 2026, to Section184consultation@hud.gov. Please include “Tribal Consultation on HUD Section 184 Program Rulemaking” in the subject line with your submission

GLIHA MEETING – October 14-15

A GLIHA meeting was held October 14-15, 2025 at the Ho-Chunk Wisconsin Dells Casino in Baraboo, Wisconsin. A number of important Indian housing issues were addressed at this gathering. PowerPoint links are below.

Federal Micro-Purchase and Simplified Acquisition Thresholds Increased

A Final rule entitled “Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds” was published. Effective October 1, 2025, the FAR inflation adjustment updates key procurement thresholds that directly affect Tribal grantees and recipients of HUD funding through the Office of Native American Programs (ONAP). The Micro-Purchase Threshold increases from $10,000 to $15,000, and the Simplified Acquisition Threshold increases from $250,000 to $350,000. These changes offer greater flexibility for Tribes and TDHEs to streamline purchasing, reduce administrative overhead, and expedite project delivery.

To support implementation, HUD will publish updated guidance for ONAP grantees soon. Tribal programs should prepare to revise procurement policies and ensure staff are trained on the new limits to maintain compliance and maximize efficiency in managing federal funds.

Spotlight on Training and Technical Assistance

The Codetalk T&TA webpage has been updated! Please explore the new site to learn more about the T&TA process, types of TA, some of the covered TA topics, and links to recorded training materials. As a reminder, please reach out to your Area ONAP office to submit a TA request form for processing.

The T&TA team is kicking off the start of the BABA On-Call TA! Submit your request via email ONAPBABAon-callrequest@hud.gov. Please include your Tribe/TDHE name, primary contact information (name, phone number, and email), and project information (type of project, funding sources and amount, and specific questions you would like to address).

FY2020-FY2025

FY 2025 IHBG Formula Final Allocation

FY 2025 Final Cover Letter: The purpose of this Dear Tribal Leader letter is to inform Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) of their Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Final Allocation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. In the past, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would mail this information.

HUD Issues Updated Guidance on How to apply for an Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Imminent Threat (IT) grant and Increases Grant Ceilings 

PIH Notice 2025-09 PIH Notice 2025-09 provides Tribes with program requirements and instructions on how to apply for Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Imminent Threat (IT) funding.  This Notice also increases ceilings for ICDBG-IT grants. ICDBG-IT grants must alleviate or remove imminent threats to public health or safety. Imminent threats are issues that if unresolved or not addressed will have an immediate negative impact on public health or safety. Imminent threats must be independently verified, must be of a non-recurring nature, must represent a unique and unusual circumstance, and must impact an entire service area.  

Eligible applicants are Tribes and Tribal organizations as described in the ICDBG regulations at 24 CFR §1003.5. ICDBG-IT grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been awarded. This Notice increases the grant ceilings based on feedback from Tribal consultations and to adjust for inflation and the cost of construction. The updated ICDBG-IT grant ceilings are $750,000 for disasters that are not Presidentially Declared Disasters (PDDs) and $1,500,000 for PDDs.  

HUD Publishes Notice on How Tribes Can Access Discounted Good and Services  

HUD has published a Notice on Federal supply sources and other General Services Administration (GSA) services available to Tribes and TDHEs carrying out NAHASDA programs. Tribes can use these resources to get pre-negotiated discounted rates for goods and services currently offered through Federal supply sources. HUD encourages Tribes and TDHEs to take advantage of these GSA programs and resources to save on costs when constructing, rehabilitating, maintaining and operating housing funded under NAHASDA.  The Notice can be found here. 

New IHBG Income Limit Program Guidance  

This guidance replaces Program Guidance 2024-01 and provides the latest U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Limits applicable to the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program. The Program Guidance can be found here.

GLIHA MEETING – March 18-19

A GLIHA meeting was held March 18-19, 2025 at the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. There was a high level of participation at this meeting and GLIHA membership should be commended for their continued commitment to Indian housing.  A special thank you to Rudy Soto, the new NAHC Executive Director, for joining us at this gathering. Below are PowerPoints from this meeting.

GLIHA Presentation2025 Updated
Reducing Energy Costs in Tribal Housing GLIHA Training 3_18_2025 (3)  
GLIHA_EAP_Workshop_Presentation_v2  
Dynamic Homes – Our Story  
GLIHA Meeting 3.18  
MSHDA Resources_1st Gen DPA_Employer Assisted_GLIHA March 2025
GLHS General Presentation_vF (2)

GLIHA MEETING

A GLIHA meeting was held on November 19-20, 2024 at the Seven Winds Casino Conference Center in Hayward, Wisconsin. PowerPoints from the meetings can be found under the Training Materials tab.

HUD Publishes Multi-Agency Tribal Public Interest BABA Waiver

HUD’s proposed Multi-Agency Tribal Public Interest BABA Waiver was posted to the Federal Register. The proposed waiver would apply as follows.

  • 5-Year Exemption for Awards of $2.5 Million or Less. For 5 years from the effective date of the final Waiver, awards and subawards to Tribes, TDHEs, or DHHL of $2.5 million or less would be exempt from BABA requirements so long as (1) the total prime Federal award or subaward does not exceed $2.5 million and (2) the Federal award or subaward amount does not exceed $2.5 million for the life of the award.
  • Manufactured Products. In addition to the 5-year $2.5 million exemption, for Federal financial assistance obligated to Tribes, TDHEs, and DHHL between the effective date of the final Waiver and September 30, 2026, manufactured products would be exempt from BABA requirements, regardless of the Federal financial assistance amount. For Federal financial assistance issued prior to the effective date of the final waiver, the waiver would apply to funds not yet expended.

PIH Notice 2024-28– Total Development Cost (TDC) for Affordable Housing Under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA)

This Notice transmits the updated schedule for the maximum amount of funds that may be used for affordable housing under NAHASDA based on Marshall Valuation Service, Marshall & Swift/Boeckh, LLC (M&S/B) and RSMeans Residential Cost Data (RSMeans) for 2024.

Dear Tribal Leader Letter- Simplified Environmental Review Process

ONAP is excited to share new processes that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) developed to simplify and streamline environmental reviews for certain activities funded by the Indian Housing Block Grant, Indian Community Development Block Grant, Title VI Loan Guarantee, Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant, and Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.