WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Under
Secretary for Rural Development Roger Glendenning today announced the Department is
partnering with eight Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) to
expand homeownership opportunities for Native Americans living on Tribal lands in eight states.
“Well-built, energy-efficient, affordable housing is essential to the vitality of communities in
rural and Tribal America,” Glendenning said. “Since 1949, USDA has helped provide homes for
people living in rural and Tribal communities, and our partnership with Native Community
Development Financial Institutions strengthens that legacy. That’s why we are proud to partner
with these expert organizations to help us continue driving economic security and prosperity for
people in Tribal communities across the nation.”
USDA is providing funding to each institution through the Native CDFI Relending
Demonstration Program. This USDA program provides loans to NCDFIs to relend to eligible
homebuyers on Native lands. The pilot program is being administered under the Single Family Housing Direct Loan program.
In the Midwest, Wisconsin Native Loan Fund is receiving a $1 million loan to finance eight
homes. Lake Superior Community Development Corporation in Michigan is receiving a
$500,000 loan to finance five homes. White Earth Investment Initiative in Minnesota is receiving
an $800,000 loan to finance eight homes. In South Dakota, Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial is
receiving a $500,000 loan to finance four homes and Four Bands Community Fund will receive a
$1 million loan to finance eight homes.
In the West, Hawaii Community Lending is receiving a $2.4 million loan to finance 10 homes.
NACDC Financial Services, Inc. in Montana is receiving a $1 million loan to finance 10 homes.
Native Community Capital which services Arizona and New Mexico is receiving an $800,000
loan to finance 10 homes.
Background
The Biden-Harris Administration made funding available for the Native American Relending
Demonstration program through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
The demonstration program was launched with two Native CDFIs in South Dakota. Initial loans
of $800,000 were provided to Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial (Mazaska) and Four Bands
Community Fund (Four Bands), that financed 16 homes. In Fiscal Year 2022, USDA lent an
additional $1 million to Mazaska and $3 million to Four Bands. Both NCDFIs have deep ties to
the local communities and were integral in demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. It
creates homeownership opportunities for the members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
Four Bands Community Fund, headquartered in Eagle Butte, South Dakota on the Cheyenne
River Reservation, provides home mortgages and other financial products to businesses across
the Cheyenne River Reservation and throughout service areas in South Dakota and North
Dakota.
Today's announcement expands the Native American Relending Demonstration program to
include six additional native lending institutions, to continue to address this historical disparity
and demonstrate USDA’s commitment to Tribal communities.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the
nearest USDA Rural Development state office.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help
expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of
Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business
development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and
high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit
www.rd.usda.gov.
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