Pala Tribal Housing Dept.
Pala Tribal Housing Department is a Department established through the Pala Band of Mission Indians in 1998. PTHD was previously under an umbrella housing authority and withdrew to administer and operate housing programs for direct assistance for Pala Tribal Members.
Pala Housing Resource Center
In 2019, PTHD wrote a plan and proposal for a Model Activity to utilize HUD funding to construct the Pala Housing Resource Center located in Pala. The purpose of PHRC was to open and operate a facility to assist tribes with Indian Housing such as trainings and resources to assist with housing needs, share ideas and strengthen the Native American communities. NATIVES HELPING NATIVES.
The plan was reviewed by a HUD panel and was approved based on previous positive monitoring reviews. Pala is the 2nd Tribe throughout Indian Country to be approved for this type of Model Project. The Seminole Tribe operates the Native Learning Center on the East Coast in Florida.
PHRC has been inspired by NLC and NLC has been very supportive of our new adventure and has offered to assist us in anyway possible. PHRC is in the preliminary operating phase and will be up and running in the very near future.
The center is 6200 square feet with housing offices, a classroom, conference room and meeting rooms.
Current Efforts
State Funding - Set Asides
Annalee Trujillo, Executive Director of PHRC, Elizabeth Elliott Executive Director, and Moriah McGill of Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority and LeeAnn Brown, Executive Director of Wilton Rancheria along with the continued support of California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA) have been working with State Program Directors and Legislators for State Set-Asides for Housing.
Historically Tribes have been excluded from State funding for housing. Through AB 1010, Tribes were eligible for the first time to apply for housing programs. $130 million was set-aside for Tribes, but only a portion was accessed due to program barriers and lack of capacity by Tribes to navigate or submit applications. The programs just don’t work.
In 2021 the Pala Band of Mission Indians invited State program reps to the reservation in an effort to build a strong working relationship.
June 2022, Pala hosted a roads how with State Program Directors, Staff, legislators and Tribes, with over 50 in attendance. Our goal was demonstrate first hand the need for housing assistance on reservations. This was the monumental for the Tribes as it was the first time Department Directors and Legislators visited the reservation for the 2-day event. Pala provided a shuttle for Directors and Legislators to tour the Pala Indian Reservation and Chairman Robert Smith led the tour and provided information about the Pala Tribe, proceeded by a tour of the San Pasqual Indian Reservation.
The Roadshow was very powerful, effective and educational for State Directors and Legislators. It raised awareness of the housing issues Tribes are facing and the need to create new programs and remove barriers from existing programs. We continue to work closely with the State and advocate for programs that work for all Tribes. Our next Roadshow will be held in February with State Program Directors, Tribal Leaders, Legislators and Tribal Housing Experts to discuss the set-asides and eliminate barriers. We would also like to recognize the efforts from HCD, CCRH and RCAC
Accomplishments
HUD184 LOAN PROGRAM (HUD)
PTHD was one of the first Tribes to be approved and utilize the Section 184 HUD Loans. These loans are guaranteed loans thru HUD for housing construction. There were barriers to the loan which included;
Restricted to Indian Lands
Not all Tribes have a land base therefore disqualifying Tribes from utilizing the program.
Environmental Issues
Tribes encountered Environmental issues such as Pala.
PTHD was one of the first Tribes to be approved and utilize the Section 184 HUD Loans. These loans are guaranteed loans thru HUD for housing construction. There were barriers to the loan which included; Restricted to Indian Lands Environmental Issues
In 2004, Pala Tribal Housing Department requested to HUD and was granted the ability to expand our service area to Riverside and San Diego County which would allow our Tribal Members access to housing by purchasing a home off the reservation.
In 2005, PTHD again requested to expand our service area to the entire State of California. The request was granted.
Outcome
- Tribal members from any Federally Recognized Tribe were able to utilize the HUD184 Loan program to purchase homes on fee land throughout the State of California.
- Other Tribes were able to expand their service area to their respective states.