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PHOENIX — Navajo homeowners braved 105-degree Arizona heat Monday as they filled the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center to capacity in anticipation of the unveiling of a new program targeting urban members of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren announced the $55 million assistance program to a group of about 250 homeowners, including an overflow crowd waiting outside in the heat. About 900 Navajo homeowners in urban metros like Salt Lake City as well as rural areas across Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado will likely qualify for up to $125,000 in assistance for things like mortgage payments and home repair assistance, according to a press release.
Funding for the program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided almost $10 billion to states, U.S. territories and tribes to support homeowners facing hardships because of COVID-19.
The homeowner assistance program is part of Nygren's attempts to make good on a commitment to help urban tribal members, who have reported feeling underserved by the Navajo government. Next on the administration's list is buying or constructing a building owned by the Navajo Nation in the metro area to serve urban Navajos.
"Wouldn't it be nice if we used the entire $55 million this year?" Nygren said in a statement. "I know you made a commitment to live here and to take care of your family. I see a lot of familiar faces and I understand this is where your jobs are. We want you to have access to resources."
Although many federally-funded programs are restricted to low-income households, this program will help high- and medium-income Navajo homeowners as well. That difference will address a trend born from a historic lack of investment in Native communities.
"A significant lack of investment in tribal communities compared to non-Indian communities has resulted in a critical absence of homeownership on tribal lands, particularly for higher-income Native households," the press release states. "As a result, Navajos with higher incomes tend to purchase or build homes off the Navajo Nation where they can qualify for loans and mortgages to build equity and wealth."
I met with 250 Phoenix metro area Navajo homeowners that the Navajo Nation received a $55 million federal grant to provide financial assistance to Navajo homeowners under various Homeowner Assistance Fund programs. Tell your relatives, make sure we tell everybody about it. pic.twitter.com/HBnxW6462n
— Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren (@BuuVanNygren) September 14, 2023
Native Community Capital, a Native-led nonprofit and licensed mortgage lender, will administer the program on behalf of the Navajo Nation. CEO Dave Castillo urged applicants to ensure their applications are complete and submitted early since the program has only three years to administer the $55 million.
"It seems like we could do that quickly but we can only do it quickly if you help us, if you're ready, and if you submit the information that's necessary," he said.
The Navajo Nation Division of Human Resources said it plans to announce visits in conjunction with Native Community Capital to other urban areas soon.
