As the tribal membership increases, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Housing Department wants to ensure the housing program’s information is available to all. Many of these programs have existed for a very long time. This article lists general information about our current home ownership programs. For more details and one-on-one conversations, please feel free to contact our office at 405-273-2833 about the programs listed below.
A down payment and closing cost assistance grant is a one-time-only grant with priority given to CPN tribal members. All CPN tribal members residing in the United States may apply. Other Native American applicants must live within the tribal jurisdiction, must be 60 or older, and within the 80 percent of the national median income limit. We highly encourage the use of the tribally owned bank, First National Bank & Trust Co. in Shawnee for your financing, if applicable. The maximum grant is $2,125. Mobile homes are not eligible for this grant nor can applicant or any household member be a convicted felon. Applications must be submitted at least three weeks prior to closing or no later than 30 days after the closing date. Applications received after the 30-day limit will not be considered.
Our new home construction program enables CPN tribal members to construct a new home in certain areas located within the CPN tribal jurisdiction with a $20,000 buy-down grant to be applied to the construction cost of the home. Each applicant must meet the 80 percent of the national median income limit guidelines, and are required to mortgage through FNB. The land must meet HUD environmental requirements, land must be owned free and clear, and an Indian preference contractor must build the home. Neither applicants nor any household member can be a convicted felon.
The acquisition program enables CPN tribal members to choose and purchase existing homes from the CPNHA inventory. Each applicant must meet the 80 percent national median income limit guidelines, and are required to mortgage through FNB. Applicant or any household member cannot be a convicted felon. Each approved borrower is eligible for up to a $20,000 buy-down grant to be applied to the purchase price of the home.
An emergency home repair loan is available to all low-income Native Americans, with priority given to CPN tribal members within the CPN jurisdiction. Other Native American applicants are restricted to living within the tribal jurisdiction and must be age 60 or older. All applicants must meet the 80 percent of the national median income limit guidelines. This loan program provides emergency repair funds of a minimum of $1,000 and no greater than $5,000. The home must meet all HUD environmental criteria and must be built after 1978 to qualify.
Mobile homes are not eligible for this loan program. Applicants are required to submit a deed to the property, as a mortgage agreement for the amount of the loan will be recorded, which will be released at the time of loan payoff. Current homeowner’s insurance is required. Neither applicant nor any household member can be a convicted felon.
For more information, contact the CPN Housing Department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 405-273-2833 or email me at sbyers@potawatomi.org. We look forward to hearing from you!