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California Tribal Housing Program

California is making great improvements in affordable housing for American Indian communities. In March 2024, California passed a new bill; AB 1878, which aims to lower the barriers that tribes often face when applying for state housing loans.  

What is AB 1878?

Under this bill, AB 1878 creates a Tribal Housing Advisory Committee within the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency (BCSH). This committee is made up of tribal experts from all over the state that understand the housing needs of Tribal communities, this committee will: 

  • Identify and fix barriers that tribes face when applying for housing programs. 
  • Help design housing grant programs specifically with tribal communities in mind. 
  • Create a standard grant agreement for tribal housing, 
  • Advocate for betting hiring standards for experts who help tribes with housing. 
  • Build a tribal housing data system to track the needs and services that will be provided to tribal members. 

Key Changes

  • The state’s housing department will offer more hands-on help to tribes throughout the whole grant application process. 
  • The state’s housing department can now waive or adjust strict requirements to better align with tribal governance.  
  • Any waiver a tribe requests and outcomes must be posted online to promote transparency. 
  • Every conversation between the state and a tribe has to include the state’s tribal liaison unless the tribe says otherwise.  

Why is This Important?

For so many years, tribal communities in California have not been included in housing plans the state has created. Many state programs were not created with tribes considered, which creates barriers for American Indian communities to even apply or qualify. This bill addresses this issue by giving tribal communities a voice at the table. It also opens the door for tribal nations to shape housing initiatives that reflect their own priorities, such as creating smokefree housing policies and spaces. By ensuring that new housing efforts include protections that keep families healthy and environments tobacco-free, this legislation respects the sovereignty of tribes while supporting the wellbeing of their future generations.

References

AB 1878: Housing Programs: Tribal Housing Program. Digital Democracy. (2024). https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab1878