Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program

What's New​

 

Dear Lender Letter 2025-04 extends the loss mitigation options currently in place for the Section 184 and Section 184A programs, which expired on March 1, 2025.  The DLL extends these options to December 31, 2025, to align with the compliance date of the Section 184 Final Rule entitled “Strengthening the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program.” The extension retains a full suite of loss mitigation options for American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian borrowers established under DLL 2023-04 and related technical correction under DLL 2023-09. 

Dear Lender Letter 2025-03 updates the maximum loan limits for the Section 184 and Section 184A Loan Guarantee Programs.  Additionally, the DLL includes Section 184 loan limits for four recently added counties in Arkansas: Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, and Lonoke counties.

Attachment: 2025 Section 184 and Section 184A Loan Limits

Dear Lender Letter (DLL) 2025-02 establishes a transition period between the Section 184 Final Rule effective date (December 31, 2024) and the compliance date (December 31, 2025). The DLL provides guidance for Tribes, Lenders, Servicers and other stakeholders on participating in the Section 184 program during the transition period, including a Questions and Answers supplemental document.

Attachment: Section 184 Transition Period Q&A Supplemental

Dear Lender Letter 2025-01 extends the foreclosure mortarium period for Section 184 loans in Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Areas (PMDAs) within the States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton until April 11, 2025.  For additional information on Section 184 and Section 184 A loans in a PDMA please see Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Notice 2015-15

  • OLG INFO Announcement 2024-23 - Process Change: Revised Process for Requesting Specific Waivers of Section 184 Indian Loan Guarantee Program Processing Guidelines (PIH Notice 2014-22).

  • OLG INFO Announcement 2024-22 - ONAP Provides Clarification on Accessory Dwelling Units for the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program and Section 184A Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Program.

  • OLG INFO Announcement 2024-21- ONAP Extends Comment Period for Draft Sections of the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program Policy Handbook

​On September 24, 2024, the Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) posted draft sections of the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program Policy Handbook (Handbook) to the Office of Loan Guarantee Drafting Table web page. ONAP has received requests to extend the deadline given the size and importance of the guidance document. ONAP agrees with the requests. The deadline to submit feedback is now extended to Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The financial closeout process is now complete. We are pleased to announce that on October 3, 2024, ONAP opened the Section 184, Section 184A and Title VI programs for FY 2025. ONAP has resumed issuing Cohort Numbers for these programs. Any requests for Cohort Numbers received during the financial closeout period was prioritized by the date of the request – with the oldest request being processed first.

On September 24, 2024, the Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) posted draft sections of the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program Policy Handbook (Handbook) to the Office of Loan Guarantee Drafting Table web page. The draft sections discuss the Section 184 loan origination through final Direct Guarantee Underwriter approval process and requirements.

Program Overview

The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program is a home mortgage product specifically designed for American Indian and Alaska Native families, Alaska villages, tribes, or tribally designated housing entities. Congress established this program in 1992 to facilitate homeownership and increase access to capital in Native American Communities.

With Section 184 financing borrowers can get into a home with a low down payment and flexible underwriting. Section 184 loans can be used, both on and off native lands, for new construction, rehabilitation, purchase of an existing home, or refinance.

Section 184 is synonymous with home ownership in Indian Country.

How Section 184 Works

The Office of Loan Guarantee within HUD’s Office of Native American Programs, guarantees the Section 184 home mortgage loans made to Native borrowers. The loan guarantee assures the lender that its investment will be repaid in full in the event of foreclosure.

The borrower applies for the Section 184 loan with a participating lender, and works with the tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs if leasing tribal land. The lender then evaluates the necessary loan documentation and submits the loan for approval to HUD’s Office of Loan Guarantee.

The loan in limited to single-family housing (1-4 units), and fixed-rate loans for 30 years of less. Neither adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) nor commercial buildings are eligible for Section 184 loans. Maximum loan limits vary by county. Click on the link below for the most current loan limits.

  • Section 184 - Maximum loan limit by county

By encouraging lenders to serve Native communities, Section 184 is increasing the marketability and value of the Native assets and strengthening the financial standing of Native communities.

Eligible Borrowers

  • American Indians or Alaska Natives who are members of a federally recognized tribe
  • Federally recognized Indian tribes
  • Tribally designated housing entities
  • Indian Housing Authorities

Native Hawaiians can access homeownership loans through the Section 184A Program.

Eligible Areas

Loans must be made in an eligible area. The program has grown to include eligible areas beyond tribal trust land. Click on the links below to determined participating States and counties across the country.

Map of States Approved for Section 184 Loan Guarantee Program

Lender Participation

Borrowers must apply with a HUD-approved Section 184 lender. Approved lenders are listed below.

Section 184 Participating Tribes

Resources

Additional homebuyer resources, including homebuyer classes, can be found at www.hud.gov/counseling.

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