Other methods of Applying or contacting
- Download Application
- Email: repairs@thrha.org
- Mail: 5446 Jenkins Dr. Juneau, AK 99801 – ATTN Program Services
- FAX: 866-253-0890
- Call: 907-780-6868 – ATTN Program Services
This program is available in the following communities:
Angoon
Juneau
Kasaan
Klawock
Petersburg
Saxman
Wrangell*
*Interested in applying but your community is not listed above? Contact your local tribe or BIA Housing Office.
The Housing Improvement Program (HIP) provides grant funding to assist with the construction of a new home.
The BIA Housing Improvement Program is a home repair, renovation, replacement, and new housing grant program for American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals and families who have no immediate resource for standard housing and is administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and federally recognized Indian Tribes.
To be eligible for BIA HIP assistance, you must meet the following requirements:
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- Be tribal citizen of a federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native nation;
- Reside in an approved tribal service area community that THRHA can serve (see list below);
- Have an income that does not exceed 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices (DHHS) Poverty Guidelines (see matrix below);
- Have present housing that is substandard, as defined by regulation;
- Have no other resource for housing assistance; and
- Have not acquired your present housing through a federally sponsored housing provider.
2024 DHSS Poverty Guidelines for AK—published January 17, 2024
Persons in Family/ Household | Income Limit |
1 | $18,810 |
2 | $25,540 |
3 | $32,270 |
4 | $39,000 |
5 | $45,730 |
6 | $52,460 |
7 | $59,190 |
8* | $65,920 |
*For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $6,730 for each additional person.
Eligible Categories
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- Category (A)
a. Provides up to $7,500 in housing repairs for conditions that threaten the health and/or safety of the occupants. - Category (B)
a. Provides up to $60,000 in repairs and renovation to improve the condition of a homeowner’s dwelling to meet applicable building code standards. - Category (C)
a. Provides a modest new/replacement home if a homeowner’s dwelling cannot be brought to applicable building code standards. - Category (D)
a. Provides down payment assistance for individuals to use with Tribal housing programs and/or other participating lenders.
- Category (A)
Application Period
THRHA accepts BIA HIP applications year-round and will submit complete applications to BIA near the end the calendar year for the next year’s funding allocation.
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- BIA HIP applications not funded can be carried over, or pooled, for up to three years.
- BIA HIP application must be updated every year to remain in the application pool.
If you are ready to apply, make sure you have all four of the following documents on hand:
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- ID/Tribal ID
- Proof of income
- Proof of homeownership, and proof of home insurance.
To Apply:
For an application to be considered complete, it must include:
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- Original signed application
- Proof of tribal enrollment
- Proof of income (most recent Federal Tax Return and W-2 Form)
- Copy of property deed or land lease (if applicable)
Applications are reviewed at the end of each calendar year • Not all applicants are selected • Thank you for your patience.
FAQ’S
Click on question below for answer.
Can I apply if I am renting?
o No, you must own the home that you are applying to repaired.
Do I have to own my land to build a modest home?
o 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.
Do I need a preapproval letter from the bank/USDA before applying for Category D?
o No, you can put “in progress” for bank financing when applying for down payment assistance.
What should I send to THRHA right away?
o BIA HIP Application— Download Application Here
o Proof of federally-recognized Tribal citizenship
o Proof of income for all household members—earned & unearned
o Proof of homeownership—only for Category A, B, & C applicants
o BIA HIP Authorization to Release Information—attached
Do I need to own my home?
We’d like to encourage you to contact us to discuss the specifics of your situation. Please look at the “contact information” on this webpage. Our programs are generally targeted at homeowners.
What do I need to apply?
At a minimum, you need an ID and a Tribal ID for the application. Income from all household members includes pay, dividends, PFDs, or any other sources of income, proof of homeownership, and proof of home insurance.
After I apply, what are the next steps?
Please give us two weeks to process your application. After that, you will receive a notification that the application is incomplete and what is needed or that it is complete.
Where do I send my documents?
This is important; for home repair, ensure that it is sent to our email address at repairs@thrha.org, faxed to 866.253.0890, or mailed to 5446 Jenkins Dr. Juneau, AK 99801, Attn: Program Services.