Introduction to Indian Housing Management

This course covers the skills and knowledge necessary for managing a typical Indian housing operation and the more common housing programs administered there. The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) requires that tribes, Indian Housing Authorities (IHAs), and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) manage their housing program based on locally developed needs and priorities and sound business practices.

During this course, students will first learn about the history of the federal Indian housing program (pre-NAHASDA) and then transition to the changes that were brought about by NAHASDA. Students will learn about effective management principles for all areas of the housing operation (e.g., admissions, occupancy, resident services, maintenance, etc.); what fiscal controls are needed and recommended; what audit requirements apply; how existing housing programs (e.g., low-income rentals, homeownership, rental assistance, etc.) should be managed; as well as a detailed look at the policies and procedures necessary to operate a housing program. Students will also learn how to plan for housing development projects, how the daily maintenance operation should function, and what the long term maintenance obligations are.

Finally, students will learn why it is important to monitor the progress of the Indian Housing Plan (IHP) and then prepare and submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to keep Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funds flowing to the housing program.

Who Should Attend: New Executive Directors, Deputy Directors, Housing Managers, Housing Department Supervisors, other interested housing staff, Housing Committee members and Housing Board members.