WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
HUD Expands Section 184 Indian Home Loan Program to More Communities Across Six States
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has expanded the approved lending areas for its Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program, opening access to Native homeownership opportunities in 356 additional counties and cities across six states.
Under Dear Lender Letter 2026-04, the expansion makes the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Virginia eligible for Section 184 lending. HUD said the changes were made in response to requests from tribal nations seeking broader access for Tribal citizens living outside existing program boundaries.
The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) praised the move, calling it a significant step toward increasing homeownership opportunities for Native families. NAIHC Executive Director Rudy Soto said the expansion reflects where many Tribal citizens live today and will help more Native families purchase, build, rehabilitate, and refinance homes.
HUD said the expansion was developed in collaboration with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the Shinnecock Indian Nation, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and the Lumbee Tribe. The Section 184 program provides a federal loan guarantee that helps lenders offer affordable mortgage financing to eligible Native borrowers, federally recognized tribes, and tribally designated housing entities.
OMB Proposal Could Significantly Impact Tribal Federal Funding; Comments Due July 13
Tribal nations, Native organizations, and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are being urged to review and comment on a proposed federal rule that could significantly reshape how federal grants and financial assistance are administered.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed a major overhaul of the Uniform Guidance, the federal rules governing grants, cooperative agreements, pass-through awards, and other forms of federal financial assistance. If finalized, the changes would take effect on Oct. 1, 2026, and could have far-reaching consequences for Tribal governments and Native organizations that depend on federal funding.
The Native CDFI Network (NCN) is preparing formal comments on behalf of Native CDFIs and plans to provide template comments that organizations can customize and submit to OMB. Public comments on the proposed rule are due by July 13, 2026.
NAFOA Webinar: Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here
To read the OMB proposed rule, please click here.
NICWA Raises Concerns Over Proposed Federal Grant Rule Changes
The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is raising concerns about a proposed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rule that could change how federal grants and financial assistance are awarded to Tribal governments, nonprofits, and state and local agencies.
Published on May 29, 2026, the proposal would revise the Uniform Guidance governing most federal grants and would require federal funding recipients to align more closely with administration priorities. The rule also would give federal agencies greater authority to terminate awards based on those priorities.
NICWA said the changes could affect Tribal child welfare and human services programs, particularly as some federal policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have been interpreted to include Tribal programs. The organization maintains that funding for Tribal human services is grounded in the federal government’s trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. NICWA is preparing comments on the proposed rule and its potential impacts on Tribal communities.
The document has a comment period that ends in eight days. (07/13/2026). Post a comment HERE
