Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Program (IHBG-COMP) for FY2025

The Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive Program (IHBG-COMP), administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Office of Public and Indian Housing, is a discretionary federal grant designed to increase the availability of affordable housing for low-income Native American families. This program provides competitive funding to eligible recipients of the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Formula allocations. It operates under the authority of Title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), and is governed by the regulations in 24 CFR Part 1000. For the fiscal year 2025 cycle, HUD has announced a funding pool of approximately $150 million, with an anticipated 35 awards and a performance period spanning five years. The program places a strategic emphasis on increasing housing availability through new construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of housing units for low-income tribal families. Priority is given to proposals that spur development on Indian reservations and within Indian areas. In addition to supporting construction activities, projects may include infrastructure necessary to support housing developments, as well as related planning and administrative tasks, provided these do not exceed the cap on planning and administrative costs. While indirect costs may be included, they must be properly documented using HUD-426 and fall under the program's total planning and administrative cost limitations. Grant funds must primarily benefit low-income Indian families, though certain exceptions exist per NAHASDA section 201(b). Eligible applicants include Indian tribes, as defined by NAHASDA, and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) that have previously received IHBG Formula funding. Specific rules apply to Alaskan tribes and TDHEs, and individual persons are not eligible. Only one application will be accepted per tribe or corresponding TDHE, and if both apply, HUD will evaluate only the last submission received. Additionally, applicants with open or pending enforcement actions for noncompliance with ONAP grants will be deemed ineligible. Grants range from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $7,500,000, with population-based ceilings applied based on IHBG Formula population data. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by January 15, 2026, at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include standard forms such as the SF-424, HUD-424B, HUD-2880, cost summaries, detailed budgets, and implementation schedules. A narrative project plan responding to HUD’s rating factors is also required. Additional documents may include tribal resolutions, indirect cost certifications, and site-related materials. Failure to submit required documents in the correct format may result in ineligibility. For new construction projects, specific assurances and environmental reviews are also required. HUD evaluates applications through a rigorous three-tiered review process: threshold review, merit review, and risk review. Applicants must meet a minimum score of 25 points for Rating Factor 1 (Project Feasibility) and an overall minimum of 75 points across the three rating factors to be considered for funding. Applications are rated on project feasibility, alignment with program priorities, and past performance in managing federal funds. Preference points are available for projects located in Opportunity Zones or supporting Promise Zone goals. HUD may apply tie-breaking criteria based on project type, number of housing units, and past performance ratings in the event of scoring ties. Award notices are expected around June 17, 2026, with a performance start date of July 1, 2026, and a five-year project timeline concluding on July 1, 2031. HUD may impose special conditions on awards based on risk assessments and may withdraw offers if terms are not finalized. All projects are subject to environmental review and other federal compliance requirements, including reporting and auditing. HUD emphasizes that funding decisions are subject to the availability of funds and reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the applications received. Applicants needing assistance may contact HUD at [email protected] or refer to resources on Codetalk and Grants.gov.

Emphasize feasibility and clean compliance history; match budget details across all forms; reach 75-point score minimum for funding consideration.