The Department of Agriculture is providing $4 million in loans to expand the Native American Relending Pilot program. Two Native Community Development Financial Institutions will use the loan funds to expand homeownership opportunities for Native Americans living on tribal lands in South and North Dakota. Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl (So-CHEEL) Torres Small says, “We are proud to partner with expert organizations that help us continue to drive economic security and prosperity for rural people.” USDA is providing the funding under the Single Family Housing Direct Loan program. Through this program, USDA provides loans to Native Community Development Financial Institutions, which relend the funds to eligible homebuyers to purchase homes on Native lands. USDA has helped nearly four million rural residents purchase homes since the passage of the Housing Act of 1949. Homeownership rates on Native American lands have historically been lower than those for other communities.
