$55 Million in Federal Aids for Diné Homeowners Unveiled by Nygren
In Phoenix, a forthcoming wave of substantial financial aid is set to benefit urban Navajos, a group who, until now, felt underserved by tribal governance. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren revealed this uplifting news on September 11 to a gathering of 250 homeowners from the Navajo community residing in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The help, sourced from a hefty $55 million federal grant allocated to the Navajo Nation, promises to address a variety of pressing needs under the umbrella of the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) programs.
The grant, a part of the American Rescue Plan Act’s broad strategy to allocate $9.9 billion nationwide to back homeowners affected financially due to COVID-19 repercussions, will facilitate mortgage payments and home repair endeavors for Navajo homeowners. While such federal schemes generally target low to very low-income factions, this initiative extends a helping hand to higher-income Navajo households as well, alleviating the economic pressures wrought by the pandemic.
A collaborative effort involving Native Community Capital (NCC), a non-profit spearheaded by the native community and recognized as a legitimate mortgage lender in Arizona and New Mexico, will steer the program’s implementation. Todd Francis, the CFO of NCC, underscored the program’s commitment to aiding both higher and medium-income homeowners, opening up opportunities for families with an annual income ceiling as high as $132,450 to avail non-repayable, tax-free funds.
The Navajo HAF Project outlined by Nygren delineates a multifaceted assistance strategy encompassing five key activities for the upcoming 36 months, with a maximum grant limit of $125,000 per eligible applicant in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. This includes a generous offering for mortgage payment assistance up to $72,000, aiming to prevent foreclosures stemming from lost household incomes, and a mortgage reinstatement assistance capped at $50,000 to aid those grappling with potential home loss due to active forbearance, delinquency, or default status.
Moreover, homeowners witnessing a dip in their home’s fair market value below its purchase price can avail of a mortgage principal reduction assistance up to $100,000. Significant home repair needs are met with a substantial $100,000 fund, and clear title assistance ensures up to $30,000 in grants for individuals seeking unambiguous title rights over their primary residences.
The strategy comes as a realization of Nygren’s commitment during his 2022 presidential campaign, where he pledged allegiance to the urban Navajo populace, addressing their longstanding grievances of inadequate representation and assistance from the tribal government.
NCC CEO, Dave Castillo, emphasized the significance of this endeavor in bridging the existing gap in homeownership in tribal communities, a gap exacerbated by a historic neglect and a stark disparity in investments when compared to non-native communities. He urged prospective applicants to ready themselves for the impending grant application process, advising diligent adherence to the checklist to avoid application expiry, a status attained if not pursued within a 30-day timeframe post submission.
The clock is ticking, with a stringent three-year window allotted for the full allocation of the mammoth $55 million fund. Despite the challenging timeframe, there is a united front of optimism and readiness, embodied in Castillo’s rallying cry for communal cooperation to expedite the application process, a move that promises to turn a new page in the history of Navajo homeownership and bring forth a beacon of hope and substantial financial relief to many.
