Housing & Utilities Assistance

Program Overview

The Down Payment Closing Costs Program is a tribally-funded program that provides a grant for Shawnee citizens in need of down payment and closing costs assistance to purchase a new home. Applicant income, location, or dual citizenship status will not be used to determine applicant eligibility. All program assistance will be awarded as funding is available. Complete applications will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. Incomplete applications are not guaranteed consideration.

Eligibility, Guidelines and Qualifications

• Applicant must be 18 years or older
• Shawnee Tribal citizen, only one applicant per household
• Applicant must be owner of the subject residence and verifiable by deed, BIA TSR, title report, or other form of acceptable verification
• Applicant must not be past due on subject property mortgage, debt, and/or liens
• Applicant must not have past due unpaid debts owed to the Shawnee Tribe
• Subject property must be applicant’s primary residence
• Proof or documentation must be provided to verify property taxes are paid and current
• Present housing condition must be in reasonable condition or brought up to reasonable standard condition after the emergency service assistance has been completed
• Repairs, modification and/or improvements must be made by contractors/vendors who have general liability coverage
• Applicants are eligible to apply for the Tribal Funded Home Emergency Services Assistance Program once per household every twelve months. After receiving Tribal Funded Program Assistance, applicants may apply and be considered eligible for other programs after a twelve-month waiting period following project completion.
• Procurement procedures of the Shawnee Tribe shall be followed.
• Exceptions to the policy must be approved by the Shawnee Tribe Business Council.
• Initial proof of project and post-project completion will need to be provided by photos and completed project form.
• Ownership of the residence will require verification by deed, BIA TSR, title report, or other form of acceptable verification.

Eligibility, Guidelines and Qualifications

• Applicant must be Shawnee Tribal citizen, 18 years or older.
• Housing rehabilitation services may only be conducted on the applicant’s primary residence.
• Proof or documentation must be provided to verify property taxes are paid and current.
• Present housing condition must be in reasonable condition or brought up to reasonable standard condition after the rehabilitation has been completed.
• Applicants must not have past due unpaid debts owed to the Shawnee Tribe.
• Applicants must not be past due on subject property mortgage, debt, and/or liens.
• Only one (1) Home Rehabilitation Program assistance/grant per household is allowed.
• All payments or checks will be directly to vendors/contractors.
• Contractors/vendors are required to have general liability coverage.
• Applicants are eligible for one Tribal Funded Program at a time. After receiving Tribal Funded Program assistance, applicants are eligible to apply for other programs in which they meet the applicable program criteria and guidelines.
• The full amount of the grant will be forgiven after 4 years from the date of the agreement, providing the tribal member complies and meets the following: maintains the home as their primary residence, remains compliant with all lending source liens on the property, maintains hazard and/or flood insurance on the property, and stays current on all property taxes. Recipients will not be eligible to apply again for Home Rehabilitation Program assistance for 4 years.
• Applicants not living in the home for required 4-year period after receiving Home Rehabilitation Program assistance, will not be eligible to apply for additional Home Rehabilitation Program assistance for 5 years from original date of assistance.
• Home Rehabilitation Program applicants may receive Storm Shelter Program assistance in either the year prior or the program year after Home Rehabilitation assistance.
• Procurement procedures of the Shawnee Tribe shall be followed.
• Exceptions to the policy must be approved by the Shawnee Tribe Business Council.
• Initial proof of project and post-project completion will need to be provided by photos and completed project form.
• Ownership of the residence will require verification by deed, BIA TSR, title report, or other form of acceptable verification.

NAHASDA emergency assistance helps an Indian family with:

• “move in” assistance; the Tribe will assist with first months rent, deposit, and utility deposits
• rent/mortgage payments if an eviction or foreclosure is underway
• utility bills up to when a shut-off notice has been received (electric, water/sewage, gas)
• propane purchases

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services. LIHEAP provides financial assistance to help very low income households pay for the costs of heating and cooling their homes. The Shawnee Tribe has to abide by the requirements and guidelines issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services for the LIHEAP program when distributing funds. More information about LIHEAP can be found at acf.hhs.gov.

Because LIHEAP funding is state-based, a tribal nation can serve only residents of the state in which it is headquartered. This is the reason why Shawnee Tribe LIHEAP funding is available only to Oklahoma residents.

Guidelines and Qualifications

• A storm shelter may only be constructed at the applicant’s primary residence.
• Only one storm shelter assistance/grant per household is allowed.
• Proof or documentation must be provided to verify property taxes are paid and current.
• Present housing condition must be in reasonable condition.
• Applicants must not have past due unpaid debts owed to the Shawnee Tribe.
• Applicants must not be past due on subject property mortgage, debt, and/or liens.
• All payments or checks will be directly to vendors/contractors.
• Contractors/vendors are required to have general liability coverage.
• Applicants are eligible for one Tribal Funded Program at a time. Applicants are eligible to apply for other programs in which they meet the applicable program criteria and guidelines.
• Recipients of Storm Shelter program must wait five years before applying for another Storm Shelter.
• Procurement procedures of the Shawnee Tribe shall be followed.
• Exceptions to the policy must be approved by the Shawnee Tribe Business Council.
• Initial proof of project and post-project completion will need to be provided by photos and completed project form.
• Ownership of the residence will require verification by deed, BIA TSR, title report, or other form of acceptable verification.
• Program requires property be owner occupied and located in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, or Arkansas.

Program Scope & Eligibility

Safe at Home Ramp Program & Handicap Accessibility Modifications supports Shawnee citizens who need wheelchair ramps or other home improvements to enhance accessibility such as, but not limited to widening doorways and installing handrails. The ramps are built following ADA guidelines and are safe, strong, portable, and durable.

• Shawnee citizens nationwide are eligible to apply
• The amount of assistance awarded will vary based on the particular project, location, property conditions, clearance issues, permits, and other issues that may arise during the installation process.
• Must be verifiable property owner or renter
• Must demonstrate a medical need

About The Program

The Fire Safe Tribal Citizens Program will assist tribal citizens to stay in their homes safely and be prepared in case of fire by providing fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Housing Improvement Program.