A note from Tony Walters, Executive Director, National American Indian Housing Council and Nikki Pieratos, Center for Indian Country Development
In late April 2018, the National American Indian Housing Council released a survey to its members to learn more about the general state of housing programs across Indian Country1. The Center for Indian Country Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, through its National Native Homeownership Coalition, contributed questions relating to the state of homeownership in tribal communities.
The survey highlighted some important issues, providing a stage for additional follow-up and action. Foremost, NAIHC recognizes the importance of making it easier for members to respond to surveys like this one. The response rate was less than 20%, with only 46 TDHE respondents. Data drives policy decisions and NAIHC’s advocacy efforts. NAIHC relies on its members to share information about the state of housing in their tribal communities.
This survey is a useful starting point to implement better data-gathering practices, so we would like to share the high-level results to begin an ongoing process of collection and evaluation of the state of housing and homeownership in our communities.