Music mountainMISSION

** In Hualapai – (Home is the center/beginning of family growth, understanding, respect and safety)** To provide the Hualapai tribal members continued opportunities for safe, decent, sanitary, quality  and affordable housing. To enable improvement of the physical conditions of existing housing developments; to continually upgrade and enhance the management and operations of the Housing Department (HHD) while developing and enhancing a stronger, healthier and viable economic initiative related to low-income housing assistance. This will include other affordable housing opportunities available under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) and any subsequent re-authorized Acts and other related federal housing aid and services. We will provide exemplary services through professionalism, leadership and respect.

About NAHASDA

NAHASDA revolutionized federal housing assistance by consolidating many disparate programs into the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program and was enacted on October 26, 1996, and became effective on October 1, 1997. By enabling local decision-making authority to tribes and the tribal housing programs, NAHASDA has allowed tribes to provide housing programs and services that are specifically modeled for their communities. While the funding level is modest compared to other federal housing programs, the estimated $650 million in annual NAHASDA appropriations is the single largest source of federal housing assistance to tribal communities. The Hualapai Tribe receives federal housing funding through the IHBG program created through NAHASDA.

Administration Department

The Administration works closely with the Hualapai Housing Board in policy development and compliance; preparing annual Indian Housing Plans and Annual Performance Reports; ensuring compliance with approved grant activities; and developing organizational goals and objectives. Administration is responsible for communicating with funding agencies, federal, state and other tribal programs/departments in designing and implementing all HHD housing programs.

Housing Management Services

The Hualapai Housing Department (HHD) provides the housing services described below. If you are interested in applying for housing assistance, please contact our Resident Service staff.

Resident Services

Responsible for the oversight and management of the HHD Homeownership and Low Rental Programs including determining eligibility for participation in HHD programs, conducting recertifications, monitoring housing accounts, maintaining waiting lists for homeownership and rental applicants, enforcement of lease agreements and policies, and also responsible for conducting scheduled inspections to identify deficiencies to the interior and exterior of each dwelling unit with the assistance of the Inspector.

Counseling services to rental tenants, homebuyers and homeowners are provided. Counseling services include but are not limited to basic budgeting, home & yard upkeep, home insurance, mortgage finance counseling, financial literacy and home inspections. Counseling can be conducted individually or in group sessions.

Title Conveyance is provided for homebuyers that reside in conveyance eligible Mutual Help housing units and maintains all related homeownership lease documents. This includes processing required documents when there is a change in the homeownership status. When a home is paid off and all other obligations satisfied, the title conveyance review process is initiated and processed through the Hualapai Planning Department and BIA for review and approval. Final steps include a Board approved Resolution and issuance of the Quitclaim Deed to the homeowners. This office also maintains updated inventory of all HHD housing stock, low-rental units and AMERIND insurance coverage.

Current Programs Under Resident Services

  • Low Rent Program – Provides low income rental housing to eligible participants who meet all the requirements of the Program. This program can serve as a stepping stone for the Homeownership Program. Hualapai tribal members receive first preference for the program.
  • Homeownership Program – Provides low income Homeownership opportunities to Hualapai Tribal members who meet the requirements of the Program through a lease to purchase agreement.

The above named programs are funded under the:

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG)

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.

Future Programs to Provide Additional Housing Opportunities

  • HUD Section 184 Loan Guarantee Program – The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program is a home mortgage specifically designed for American Indian families and Tribes. Section 184 loans can be used both on and off native lands, for new construction, rehabilitation, purchase of an existing home, or refinance. The Section 184 Loan Guarantee Program was designed to increase lending to Native American communities that were traditionally underserved by financial institutions. The loans are guaranteed 100% by the Office of Loan Guarantee within HUD’s Office of Native American Programs (ONAP). This guarantee encourages national and local lenders to extend financing to Native Americans and increases the marketability of their current assets and future investments. Section 184 loans can only be used for single family homes (1-4 units) and for a primary residences. Since 184 strives to increase homeownership to all Native Communities, the guarantee funds are reserved for primary residences rather than secondary or investment properties.
  • Title VI Loan Guarantee Program – Also 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.
  • Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program – As part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the United States Congress created the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) (IRC Section 42) Program to promote the development of affordable rental housing for low-income individuals and families. To date, it has been the most successful rental housing production program in Arizona, creating thousands of residences with very affordable rents. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, rather than a direct subsidy, encourages investment of private capital in the development of rental housing by providing a credit to offset an investor’s federal income tax liability. The State of Arizona has a Tribal Set-Aside amount and is a competitive process with the state’s other tribes.
  • There are other funding resources that the HHD will have to leverage the annual allocation amounts against to develop construction for new homes and rehabilitation of existing homes.

Maintenance

The Maintenance Department provides maintenance services to ensure safe, decent and sanitary living conditions for all HHD low rental units. The staff provides service to 135 low rental units and the Housing building and facilities. Under established Work Order procedures, the Maintenance staff also provides emergency services to 49 Mutual Help units, the HHD will research and develop policy that will allow the staff to provide services to conveyed HHD homes and privately owned homes in the community. The HHD is currently not able to assist homeowners with maintenance repairs, per HUD/ONAP Review on 6/16/2011.

STAFF

People of the Tall Pines

WELCOME

The Hualapai Tribe is a federally recognized Indian Tribe located in northwestern Arizona. Hualapai means "People of the Tall Pines". In 1883 an executive order established the Hualapai reservation.

Employee Email

Hualapai Tribe Employee Email can be accessed HERE.

Contact the IT Department if you are experiencing difficulty.

Housing Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm After hours emergency: (928) 769-2220 (dispatch)

Housing Documents

Contact Housing

HUALAPAI HOUSING DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 130 600 Highview Street Peach Springs, AZ 86434-0130 Phone: 928-769-2274 Fax: 928-769-2703

Master Plan

MASTER PLAN

Click HERE for updates on the Hualapai Master Plan Committee's progress to date.