This year’s selected projects in FHLBank Topeka’s Native American Housing Initiatives (NAHI) Grants Program will support grassroots efforts across the district to assist Native American communities.

“Our 2026 NAHI selections reflect the diversity of our district and the distinct needs of Native American residents,” said Jeff Kuzbel, FHLBank Topeka president and CEO. “The strong interest and high quality of applications continues to affirm that NAHI is a flexible, effective program that makes meaningful impact. Congratulations to the 14 selected tribes on their awards.”

This year’s selections will renovate aging housing stock, build infrastructure for new housing developments, build tiny homes, support housing organizations who help Native American communities and provide assistance to new homeowners. Explore the list below to learn more about each of the 2026 grants.

Thank you to our members for supporting tribes and tribally designated housing entities in your communities in the grant application process. 

Grant funds will be used to support affordable housing and community development for Native American communities. Following is a full list of the selected applicants: 

1. $400,000 to Cheyenne and Arapaho Housing Authority in Clinton, Oklahoma, in partnership with Sovereign Bank, Shawnee, Oklahoma, to develop up to three tiny homes for tribal veterans and provide down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible low-income tribal household.
   
   From the application: “The project will convert fee land owned by CAHA into a productive housing asset.”
2. $200,000 to The Chickasaw Nation in Ada, Oklahoma, in partnership with Chickasaw Community Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to build roads, sidewalks and utility infrastructure for a planned 40-unit rental housing development in Sulphur.
   
   From the application: “These housing units will allow Chickasaw citizens who are currently on a waiting list to obtain affordable, secure housing.”
3. $444,000 to Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in partnership with Sovereign Bank, Shawnee, Oklahoma, to replace flooring, countertops, baseboards and door casings in 20 low-income elder housing units in Rossville, Kansas.
   
   From the application: “This will enhance safety and quality of life for all occupants and reduce the number of slips and falls.”
4. $240,000 to Comanche Nation Housing Authority in Lawton, Oklahoma, in partnership with Liberty National Bank, Lawton, Oklahoma, to provide critical repairs and accessibility improvements for at least 62 elder-owned homes.
   
   From the application: “This program not only repairs homes; it preserves elder independence, family stability, and community connection.”
5. $250,000 to Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in partnership with Chickasaw Community Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for staffing and initial supplies to launch the 100-bed Cherokee Crisis Center for people experiencing crisis or homelessness.
   
   From the application: “The goal of the Cherokee Crisis Center is to provide more than temporary shelter—it is designed to create a pathway from crisis to stability through education, employment, supportive services, and community connection.”
6. $500,000 to Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in Hugo, Oklahoma, in partnership with Chickasaw Community Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to establish a program combining down payment assistance, closing cost assistance and rehabilitation funding for approximately 15 to 20 low-income tribal homebuyers.
   
   From the application: “The ROOTS Program increases housing choice while preserving existing housing stock.”
7. $250,000 to Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska in White Cloud, Kansas, in partnership with GNBank, Girard, Kansas, to purchase and make minor repairs to up to two existing homes for tribal families and workers.
   
   From the application: “Acquiring these first homes is a pivotal strategic step; it proves our income-inclusive housing model.”
8. $200,000 to Kialegee Tribal Town in Wetumka, Oklahoma, in partnership with BancFirst, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for housing repairs and essential services, including water and sewer, electrical, HVAC, appliance, rental and energy assistance.
   
   From the application: “Demand for services far exceeds our budgeted amount each and every year.”
9. $500,000 to Kiowa Tribe in Carnegie, Oklahoma, in partnership with Sovereign Bank, Shawnee, Oklahoma, to establish a housing-focused Realty and Title Department that will help tribal families address ownership, probate, heirship and land-record barriers to housing assistance.
   
   From the application: “This department will help convert existing homes and home sites into documented, repair-ready, finance-ready, and inheritable housing assets for Kiowa families.”
10. $150,000 to Omaha Tribal Housing Authority in Macy, Nebraska, in partnership with CharterWest National Bank, West Point, Nebraska, to repair its headquarters, secure its data infrastructure and rehabilitate critical systems in existing tribal housing units.
    
    From the application: “Our needs are urgent and two-fold: the complete restoration of our command center and the stabilization of our residential housing portfolio.”
11. $100,000 to Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, in partnership with Sovereign Bank, Shawnee, Oklahoma, to construct up to five energy-efficient tiny homes for Native veterans at Sky Lodge Estates in Osage County.
    
    From the application: “The deployment of these funds will produce immediate and measurable impacts by expanding the availability of safe, energy efficient, and culturally appropriate housing for Native veterans.”
12. $166,000 to Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Ignacio, Colorado, in partnership with First National Bank Cortez, Cortez, Colorado, to provide dollar-for-dollar matching assistance of up to $12,000 per eligible tribal member for home purchases, construction or renovations within the reservation.
    
    From the application: “This matching structure not only maximizes the impact of grant funds by leveraging personal contributions but also fosters personal investment in the homeownership process.”
13. $500,000 to United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Housing Department in Park Hill, Oklahoma, in partnership with Sovereign Bank, Shawnee, Oklahoma, to complete infrastructure and accessibility improvements for an 18-unit elder and veteran duplex project in Tahlequah, support two housing laborer positions and add community amenities.
    
    From the application: “Together, these investments will create more than housing alone.”
14. $100,000 to Wyandotte Nation in Wyandotte, Oklahoma, in partnership with Welch State Bank, Welch, Oklahoma, to provide critical repairs to approximately 14 to 16 tribal homeowners’ primary residences.
    
    From the application: “In a rural environment where new housing development is limited and costly, maintaining and improving existing homes is a critical strategy for sustaining long-term housing availability.”