SWONAP 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. Join Our Mailing List.

Service Area: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico & Ysleta del Sur (TX)

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Tribal News

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HUD announces $1.1B to fund tribal housing and community development (HousingWire.com)

HousingWire.com [5/15/2024 4:18 PM, Chris Clow, 27K]
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Wednesday announced that the Biden administration has approved a record $1.1 billion in funding for the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program, and an additional $75 million funding opportunity for the Indian Community Development Block (ICDBG) program to “support housing and community development projects.”

The funding marks a sharp rise in federal support for tribal housing programs, according to HUD acting secretary Adrianne Todman, who announced the award when hosting the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee at HUD headquarters at the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C.

“By prioritizing funding and support for housing in Tribal communities, HUD is living up to its mission of ensuring that everyone in this country has access to affordable housing options,” she said. “Today’s announcement emphasizes the Biden-Harris administration’s dedication to strengthening the Nation-to-Nation relationship with Tribes and making key investments in Indian Country,” she added.

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$36 million going to housing on Native Arizona land (KGUN 9, AZ)

KGUN 9 [5/15/2024 8:17 PM, Staff, 23K, AZ]
VIDEO. Congressman Raul Grijalva announced Wednesday that more than $36 million is going toward housing for tribes in Arizona’s District 7. For the full picture, here is the breakdown of the money disbursements: Tohono O’odham Nation - $25.6 million; Pascua Yaqui Tribe - $7.5 million; Cocopah Tribe - $1.1 million, Quechan Tribe - $2.5 million. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Housing Block Grant, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

This year’s installment is a 40% increase from last year at $1.1 billion. It’s also the largest investment in tribal housing in history. Funding can be used for affordable housing activities including new housing construction, rehabilitation, and housing services, and more. "It will give chronically underfunded Tribal communities the ability to build safer, quality affordable housing,” said Rep. Grijalva. "Everyone deserves access to affordable housing, no matter where they live."

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SWONAP Spotlight

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Navajo Housing Authority hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Development (Arizona Daily Sun, AZ)

Arizona Daily Sun [5/6/2024 12:15 PM, Staff, 5K, AZ]
The Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) celebrated a milestone on May 1 with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest development in Lukachukai Arizona Chapter comprising of 20 homes. The event marked the culmination of years of planning and collaboration to address housing needs within the Navajo Nation. Attended by community members, delegates, and NHA staff, the ceremony highlighted the extensive efforts and partnerships that made the project possible.

Ernest Franklin, chief operations officer at NHA, explained the importance of infrastructure development, including upgrades to power lines and water mains, to support the new homes and enhance community services.

“When you’re building new units out there, you have to address all the supporting infrastructure that goes along with it,” Franklin said. “We had to help upgrade the three-phase line all the way from Round Rock to make this happen. We had to also bring in approximately 9 miles of water main, just so that we can increase the water capacity within this area and to also provide the water for the school.”

The event was one of multiple the week on the Navajo Nation. On May 2, the celebration continued for the Rock Springs New Mexico Chapter for 10 homes and again on Wednesday, May 8, in Tuba City for the Former Bennett Freeze Area.

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More Than $26 Million to 37 State, Local, and Tribal Governments to Support Clean Energy Projects

On May 1, DOE announced more than $26.9 million to nine states, 27 local governments and one Tribe for the next round of formula grants through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

The awards announced this month include governments that will use Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program funds to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, develop e-bike incentive programs, conduct municipal building energy audits, provide efficiency retrofits and upgrades for low-income communities, and more.

• Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, California will contribute funds toward creating a strategic energy plan to join the local public utility power grid and increase renewable energy generation in the community. Currently, the Tribe relies on propane generators as its primary power source. By making a plan to connect to the public utility grid and install renewable energy systems, the Tribe will take a critical step toward reducing energy costs and local emissions and bolstering energy resilience (Award amount: $10,000).

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Navajo Sun Power! Home Solar Project

Location: Navajo Nation
Federal Cost Share: $2.6 million
Selectee: Navajo Transitional Energy Company
Technology: Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage

This project plans to install 375 kW of solar PV with battery energy storage systems on up to 75 off-grid Navajo Nation homes. A significant portion of Navajo Nation homes do not have reliable access to electricity, often depriving residents of essential home resources like refrigeration, medical devices, and internet access. The selected homes are located far from the grid as well as other structures, which has delayed electrification. The Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) has already installed 24 home solar systems and plans to use the same approach to deliver essential power to the additional homes. The project’s compact systems expect to reduce energy burdens, improve air quality, and deliver essential power to residents.

Additionally, NTEC plans to complete an energy analysis with every installation and provide guidance to residents on best practices to ensure their battery storage lasts as long as possible. The project anticipates that the installed systems will provide the power necessary for homeowners to participate in Navajo Nation and Indian Health Services programs that provide improvements such as bathroom additions, indoor plumbing, and cistern pumps at no cost to the homeowner.

For more information, email West_ERA3045@hq.doe.gov

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Hopi Tribe Housing Project Awarded Grand Prize at Solar Decathlon 2024 Design Challenge

The team from The University of Arizona earned the Grand Winner award in the 2024 Design Challenge. Photo by NREL

On April 22, 2024, DOE announced the University of Arizona won top honors in the 2024 Solar Decathlon Design Challenge—out of 40 finalist teams from around the world—taking home the Grand Winner trophy for their partnership with the Hopi Tribe on 24 eco-friendly rowhouses that integrate passive design techniques and a microgrid to promote energy sovereignty for the community.

The Solar Decathlon challenges the next generation of building professionals to design high-performance, low-carbon buildings powered by renewable energy, promoting student innovation, STEM education, and workforce development opportunities in the buildings industry. The Solar Decathlon’s Design Challenge is a one- to two-semester design-only competition.

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April 2024 Tribal House Party- Bernallio, New Mexico

Federal and state officials host housing information fair- (YouTube Video), (Flyer)

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The Jicarilla Apache Nation, along with leaders of the city of Albuquerque and other, will be celebrating a new Solar Direct facility with a ribbon cutting on Earth Day 2024. The new solar field is located on 500 acres of the tribe’s land in northern New Mexico and the Solar Direct project is the third largest type of project on tribal lands. The 50-megawatt field will provide renewable energy to tribal governments and entities as week as the local government and other commercial business that voluntarily opt into the program. The Jicarilla Apache Nation, City of Albuquerque, PNM, and Hecate Energy celebrate progress of PNM Solar Direct solar field — City of Albuquerque (cabq.gov) 

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San Carlos Apache Health Center – Eastern Arizona $10 Million

Clearinghouse CDFI (CCDFI) provided $10 million in NMTC allocation for The San Carlos Apache Health Center in Eastern Arizona. This financing supports the construction, development, and leasing of an approximately 45,000-square- foot hospital annex in Peridot, Arizona, and a 34,000-square-foot healthcare clinic in Bylas, Arizona, which will include a pharmacy department.

The San Carlos Apache Health Center is an integral component of a comprehensive strategic plan developed by the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation. The plan aims to enhance healthcare services for Tribal Members residing on the Reservation. The San Carlos Apache Health Center serves a historically medically underserved population of 3,500 patients annually. This development creates 84 construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs while retaining 64 jobs.

Financing Provided: $1,216,650

Location: Peridot, AZ

Impact: Serves a historically medically underserved tribal community serving 3,500 patients annually, while creating 84 construction jobs, 30 permanent jobs, and retaining 64 jobs

Purpose: Financing for the construction, development, and leasing of an approximately 45,000-square- foot hospital annex in Peridot, Arizona, and a 34,000-square-foot healthcare clinic in Bylas, Arizona, which will include a pharmacy department.

Year Funded: 2023

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Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico – Low Income Housing Tax Credit Project

February 1, 2023- SWONAP Deputy Administrator Cheryl Dixon Zuni and staff attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony at Pueblo of Laguna for the Laguna #3 Townhome project. This development will provide much needed affordable housing for members of the Laguna Pueblo. Project funding comes from the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.

From Left to Right: SWONAP staff Ben Weiss, Lisa Smith, Deputy Administrator Cheryl Dixon Zuni with Pueblo of Laguna
Governor Herrera

View More Photos

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Hear from John Flores with the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians on the Tribe's microgrid project.

Project Success Story: Microgrid Boosts San Pasqual Band’s Energy Sovereignty and Security Taking advantage of their abundant natural resources, the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians has followed an environmentally conscious approach of working with the land and the climate to support community energy sovereignty and security. “As a Tribe, we want to be energy independent. That means tapping into our natural resources—not oil or coal—but the sunlight,” explained John Flores, Environmental Director and Water Manager for San Pasqual. Read more and watch the video.

Cocopah Partners with NAU On Water Quality Testing Cocopah Environmental Protection Office in Action, Episode 2: Graduate students from Northern Arizona University partner with the tribe on water quality testing of various places along the Colorado River and on all three reservations.

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Tribal Leaders Handbook on Homeownership

The Center for Indian Country Development's Tribal Leaders Handbook on Homeownership provides detailed examples, case studies, checklists, and information on developing affordable homeownership in Indian Country. This essential guide provides information on new mortgage programs (government and private), the new kinds of lenders (loan funds, Native CDFIs), and the new energies that are transforming Indian housing. Download a copy HERE.

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Updated Healthy Home Checklist from EPA/CDC/HUD/DHHS

Home assessments can help make homes healthier. Checklist covers the major contributors to asthma and allergies, with suggested action items that are generally simple and low cost. Download a copy HERE.

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ONAP OFFERS FREE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING

HUD’s Office of Native American Programs offers FREE Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) for Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities for a wide variety of tribal housing and related issues. To request specialized Technical Assistance and/or Training from SWONAP click here and complete the form and email to Debbie Broermann at Deborah.S.Broermann@hud.gov.

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