We would be grateful if you submitted your application completely filled out along with all proper documents as requested, no later than the end of day on November 30, 2022.
The Housing Improvement Program (HIP) is a home repair, renovation, replacement and new housing grant program administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and federally-recognized Indian Tribes for American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals and families who have no immediate resource for standard housing. While not an entitlement program, HIP was established under The Snyder Act of 1921 as one of several BIA programs authorized by Congress for the benefit of Indian people.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE? To be eligible for HIP assistance, you must be a Wiyot Tribal citizen; have an income that does not exceed 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Poverty Guidelines; have present housing that is substandard, as defined by the regulations; have no other resource for housing assistance; and have not acquired your present housing through a federally sponsored housing program that includes such housing assistance.
WHO CAN I CONTACT ABOUT OTHER INDIAN HOUSING PROGRAMS? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is the primary provider of new housing on Indian reservations and in Indian communities through the Office of Native American Programs, the sponsor of Indian Housing Authorities (IHA’s) and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE’s). Other federal housing resources available to AI/AN are the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Program and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Direct Home Loan Program.
WHAT DOES HIP PROVIDE? Interim Improvements: Provides up to $7,500 in housing repairs for conditions that threaten the health and/or safety of the occupants. Repairs and Renovation: Provides up to $60,000 in repairs and renovation to improve the condition of a homeowner’s dwelling to meet applicable building code standards. Replacement Housing: Provides a modest replacement home if a homeowner’s dwelling cannot be brought to applicable building code standards. New Housing: Provides a modest new home if you do not own a home, you may be eligible if you are the owner or leaseholder of land suitable for housing and the lease is for not less than 25 years at the time assistance is received
WHAT IS THE HIP INCOME GUIDELINE? The HIP Income Guideline is comprised of two charts, one for the Lower 48 states and the other for Alaska. The income figures on the chart establish the points you will receive for the first Need Ranking Factor based on Annual Household Income. Applicants with an annual household income exceeding 150 percent of the federal Poverty Guideline are not eligible for the program.
Please remember to complete ALL questions and do not leave any areas blank. It is CRITICAL that all income verification documents are completed and submitted along with the application for all citizens 18 years of age or older. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Furthermore, all applications and income verification must be POSTMARKED no later than November 30, 2022 or submitted in person at the Tribal Office before close of business at 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday November 30th.