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 EPIC or GEMS* to electronically submit an Indian Housing Plan (IHP) to receive funding and complete an Annual Performance Report (APR) (Form HUD-52737). EPIC and GEMS are internet-based applications 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.

*ONAP is currently in the process of transitioning area offices from the Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC) to the Grants Evaluation and Management System (GEMS). GEMS is currently available to Alaska ONAP and Northern Plains ONAP, starting September 25, 2023, GEMS will be available to all ONAP regions. EPIC will no longer be available for ONAP programs after September 14, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Once an area office has fully transitioned the use of the GEMS system will be required. Pease visit the GEMS webpage for the most current updates regarding the transition.