How Section 184 Works
The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program is a home mortgage specifically designed for Native American and Alaska Native families, Alaska Villages, Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE’s), or Tribes. These loans can be used, both on and off native lands, purchase of an existing home, for new construction, rehabilitation, or refinance.
Because of the unique status of Indian lands being held in Trust, Native American homeownership has historically been an underserved market. Working with an expanding network of private sector and tribal partners, the Section 184 Program endeavors to increase access to capital for Native Americans and provide private funding opportunities for tribal housing agencies with the Section 184 Program.
To help increase Native access to financing, the Office of Loan Guarantee within HUD’s Office of Native American Programs, guarantees the Section 184 home mortgage loans made to Native Borrowers. By providing this guarantee, HUD has made it possible for lenders to serve Native Communities both on and off the reservation. This increases the marketability and value of the Native assets and strengthens the financial standing of Native Communities.
Section 184 is synonymous with home ownership in Indian Country. As of March 2017, the Section 184 program has guaranteed over 37,000 loans (almost $6 billion dollars in guaranteed funds) to individuals, Tribes, and TDHEs.