AKONAP ensures that safe, decent and affordable housing is available to Native American families, creates economic opportunities for Tribes and Indian housing residents, assists Tribes in the formulation of plans and strategies for community development, and assures fiscal integrity in the operation of the programs.

Service Area: Alaska

Established by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), the IHBG program is a formula based grant program provided to Federally recognized Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entity (TDHE), and a limited number of state recognized tribes who were funded under the Indian Housing Program authorized by the United States Housing Act of 1937 (USHA).The grant amount received is determined annually based upon the Tribe’s current assisted housing stock and the need for additional low-income housing, as determined by population. Eligible activities include housing development, assistance to housing developed under the Indian Housing Program, housing services to eligible families and individuals, crime prevention and safety, and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems.

IHBG informational links:

Awarded under an annual competition, Indian Community Development Block Grants provide single purpose grants to eligible grantees for housing rehabilitation, land acquisition, community facilities, infrastructure construction, and economic development activities that benefit primarily low and moderate income persons. The Secretary of HUD may set aside 5% of each year's allocation for the noncompetitive, first come-first served, funding of grants to eliminate or lessen problems which pose an imminent threat to public health or safety.

ICDBG informational links:

Section 184 Loan Guarantee Program: The Section 184 Program was created in 1992 to help increase Native access to homeownership by providing a guarantee to lenders on mortgage loans made to Native borrowers, including American Indian and Alaska Native families, Alaska Villages, Tribes, or Tribally Designated Housing Entities. Section 184 loans can be used, both on and off native lands, and for new construction, rehabilitation, purchase of an existing home, or refinance. By guaranteeing these loans 100%, lenders are encouraged to serve the Native Communities. This increases the marketability and value of the Native assets and strengthens the financial standing of Native Communities.

Section 184 informational links:

Title VI Loan Guarantee Program

Authorized under NAHASDA, the Title VI Loan Guarantee Program assists Indian Housing Block Grant recipients (borrower) who want to finance eligible affordable housing activities, but are unable to secure financing without the assistance of a federal guarantee. The borrower pledges future IHBG grant funds as security for repayment of the loan obligation to a private lender or investor who then provides lump sum project financing. HUD provides a guarantee to the lender or investor to repay all or a portion of the unpaid principal balance and accrued interest if a borrower fails to repay the debt and a default is declared. HUD repays the obligation and will seek reimbursement from the borrower’s future IHBG grant funds. The requirements of NAHASDA and the regulations apply to all projects using Title VI financing.

Title VI informational links:

The Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) has embarked on an innovative and responsive method of delivering formal training and remote on-site Technical Assistance to its IHBG grantees.

Technical Assistance related to the NAHASDA Indian Housing Block Grant Program is currently available (but not limited to) in the following areas:

The following training sessions related to the NAHASDA Indian Housing Block Grant Program are currently available:

Training and Technical Assistance services in the Alaska region are provided primarily through grants administered by the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities. To request training and technical assistance on a particular need, please complete the request form at the following website: www.aahaak.org/training-technical-assistance. This process submits the form directly to the AONAP office where it will be reviewed. The AONAP office will then follow-up with the Recipient to discuss the request.

Training Calendars

• Upcoming Local Alaska Training Opportunities
• National ONAP Training Calendar