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ACORN Community Legal Education Series
 California Indian Legal Services
 Bishop · Escondido · Eureka · Oakland · Santa Rosa · Washington, D.C.

At a Glance:
What Do Some of the Terms I Hear About Tribal Housing Mean?

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Helpful Information

What is NAHASDA?

  • The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) is a law passed by the U.S. Congress.
  • NAHASDA allows tribes to get funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to run tribal housing programs.
  • NAHASDA is the main source of federal money for tribal housing programs.

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How do Indian tribes run housing programs?

  • Some Indian tribes have something called an Indian Housing Authority (IHA).
  • Some Indian tribes run tribal housing programs out of the tribal housing office without officially calling it an IHA.

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What are Indian Housing Authorities?

  • Indian Housing Authorities (IHAs) are tribal programs that help Indians and their tribes get money to build homes for tribal members, improve existing homes, and provide other housing services.
  • IHAs help run the tribe’s Indian housing services for tribal members both on and off the reservation. Sometimes, the IHA for a tribe may also serve non-tribal members.
  • Each IHA has its own policies and procedures for the tribe’s housing-related programs. IHAs also comply with tribal and federal laws.

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Do tribes get federal funding for tribal housing programs directly?

Yes. Under NAHASDA, Indian tribes get federal housing funds directly from HUD. They can do this in a variety of ways:
  • Sometimes, a tribe will set up a Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE) to receive the funds on behalf of the tribe.
  • Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) are tribal agencies set up by tribal law or resolution. TDHEs receive HUD housing funds, including the Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBG), for the tribe.
  • Sometimes, the tribe will designate their IHA as the tribe’s TDHE.
  • Some tribes may join an inter-tribal TDHE.

TIP:  For more detailed information, see the ACORN Community Legal Education Guide, "As a Native American, How Can I Get Financial Help With Housing?"

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REVISION 07/03

Disclaimer

This information is intended to assist you with your legal problem. Each area of the law is complex and changing. Your case may have special factors that could affect the applicability of this information. CILS does not guarantee that this information is sufficient to resolve your legal problem. If you have any questions, you should seek the advice and counsel of an attorney.

ACORN Community Legal Education Series

The Advocacy, Collaboration, and Referral Network (ACORN) is a project of CILS. ACORN’s mission is to expand access to legal resources that increase Indian self-sufficiency. This guide is part of our Community Legal Education Series, providing Indians and Indian tribes with user-friendly information and self-help assistance pertaining to their legal status and rights. ACORN Community Legal Education guides, and more information about CILS and California Indian issues, are available on our website at www.calindian.org.

California Indian Legal Services

Central Office:
510 16th Street, Fourth Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 835-0284; Fax: (510) 835-8045

Do you have a legal problem? For assistance, contact your local CILS office:

Bishop: (760) 873-3581, or (800) 736-3582
Escondido: (760) 746-8941, or (800) 743-8941
Eureka: (707) 443-8397, or (800) 347-2402
Oakland: (510) 835-0284, or (800) 829-0284
Santa Rosa: (707) 573-8016, or (866) 251-8016
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