Eligibility

The three most common requisites for Housing Services eligibility under our NAHASDA programs are

1. Being Native American/Native Alaskan

NAHASDA establishes that at least one member of the applying household must be a Native American/Native Alaskan. It doesn’t have to be the main applicant. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a Louden Tribe member (although LT members get preference).

2. Income Limits

NAHASDA establishes certain income limits, and a household cannot exceed them to be eligible for housing services. However, these limits are higher than those of other housing programs available for natives (i.e. BIA-HIP). These limits depend on the household size and the service area, and are adjusted by HUD annually.

HUD annually defines the MFI (Median Family Income). A household that makes 80% or lower of the MFI is eligible to receive full assistance, while families with an income between 80% and 100% of the MFI can receive partial assistance.

The table below shows the Income Limits per Household size for 2025.

For example, let’s assume a family of four. To receive full assistance, their gross income cannot exceed $91,440; to receive partial the limit is $114,300.

Note that for eligibility purposes, the gross household income must include all wages for all adults in the household, all dividends (PFD, ANCSA) for all members (including minors), etc.

3. Residence in the Service Area

Housing Assistance under NAHASDA is limited to the Galena Service Area

Essential Families

While the criteria above are the most common ones, there are a few exceptions that allow non-native families or those with higher incomes to receive assistance. This exception involves Essential Families, which, according to Tribal Resolution 2024-34, includes Educators, Health and Elder Care, and Law Enforcement workers in Galena whose housing needs could not be covered otherwise without NAHASDA assistance.