Indian Housing Block Grant Program

The Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program is the primary means by which the Federal Government fulfills its trust responsibilities to provide adequate housing to Native Americans and is the single largest source of Indian housing assistance. It is a formula grant that is distributed annually and funds affordable housing activities including new housing construction, rehabilitation, and housing services, and much more.

Tribal sovereignty and Tribal self-determination drive the IHBG program. These principles are grounded in long-standing treaties, court decisions, statutes, Executives Orders, the U.S. Constitution, and the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). NAHASDA emphasizes the government-to-government relationship between the Federal Government and Tribes and recognizes that Tribes should make policy decisions and manage programs for their members and their communities.

Eligible IHBG recipients are federally recognized Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), and a limited number of State-recognized Tribes.

Each year, IHBG recipients use GEMS to electronically submit an Indian Housing Plan (IHP) to receive funding and complete an Annual Performance Report (APR) (Form HUD-52737). GEMS is an internet-based application that automates much of the process for completing and submitting IHPs/APRs, IHP Amendments, IHP Waivers, and Tribal Certifications. A fillable PDF version of the IHP/APR form is available through Area ONAPs for IHBG recipients with unreliable internet service. Please contact your local Area ONAP office with questions.