Interior, HUD sign agreement to advance tribal homeownership

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today signed an agreement to strengthen federal coordination in implementing the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on May 4, 2026.

"President Trump has made clear that improving housing affordability and removing unnecessary barriers to homeownership are priorities for this administration," said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland. "This agreement puts that commitment into action in Indian Country by strengthening federal coordination and improving the processes that help tribal families pursue homeownership on trust lands. We are focused on delivering results, respecting tribal sovereignty and ensuring federal government works more effectively for tribal communities."

The agreement, signed during the National Tribal Housing Summit by Interior's Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland and HUD's Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Benjamin Hobbs, establishes a framework for collaboration that will improve information sharing, streamline mortgage-related processes on tribal trust lands and enhance coordination with tribal nations, lenders and other partners to expand homeownership opportunities while supporting tribal sovereignty and self-determination. This aligns with the Trump administration's goals to improve housing affordability and strengthen market stability across the country; and streamlining federal government services.

"We are excited to begin this new chapter between HUD and the Department of the Interior as we work together to expand homeownership opportunities for Native families," said Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Benjamin R. Hobbs. "By bringing our two agencies closer, sharing information, and cutting red tape, we can streamline the mortgage process on Tribal trust lands and better serve Tribes, lenders, and prospective homeowners. Under Secretary Turner's leadership, we are taking another step toward delivering on the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, making the federal government work more efficiently, and helping Native families achieve the American Dream of homeownership."

Under the agreement, HUD and Interior will coordinate access to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Trust Asset and Accounting Management System and provide technical expertise and training. The departments will also coordinate on tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement and pursue joint training, technical assistance and potential pilot initiatives to strengthen tribal homeownership systems.

The Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 provides relevant federal agencies and Indian tribes with read-only access to TAAMS, which contains trust land records maintained by the BIA. The agreement establishes a framework for Interior and HUD to use that access to carry out their responsibilities under the Act and help address mortgage-related challenges on tribal trust lands.

The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues; communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration; provides leadership in consultations with tribes; and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter-departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on matters concerning American Indians and Alaska Natives and the federally recognized Tribes in the United States.

The Assistant Secretary for HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing oversees affordable housing programs for low-income families, senior citizens, disabled Americans, and Native Americans, including public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers.

####