Housing conditions for many Indians have reached the crisis point. The entire Native American families live in just one room; children huddled in housing so poorly insulated that shafts of light could be seen through the flimsy wooden walls. Four in ten Indians are under-housed. The substandard and overcrowded housing contributes to a plethora of health, social and family problems within her community. At a time when the housing deficiencies of many Native American families remain the most severe in the nation, a more equitable and efficient method of distributing federal resources have been developed.
Congress has provided funds not only for the development of additional public and Indian housing units, but also for the modernization of the housing stock, the improvement of the management of the programs by the public and Indian housing authorities which own the housing, and for programs to address crime and security and provide supportive services and tenant opportunities. Organizations such as the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) ensure safe, decent and affordable housing; create opportunities for residents' self-sufficiency and economic independence, etc. PIH is responsible for administering and managing a range of programs authorized and funded by Congress. The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is another national membership organization that promotes, supports, and upholds tribes and tribal housing agencies. NAIHC provide sanitary, culturally-relevant, safe and affordable housing for American Indian communities and Alaska Native villages.
Northwest Indian Housing Association provides training and education opportunities; advocates for the collective benefit of all members; links members to information and financial resources.
American Indian Housing Initiative is a multi-university program exploring sustainable housing solutions for American Indians. It's an effort between Penn State and its partners to restore a culture of self-sufficient housing in American Indian Tribes. It provides culturally enriching and applied experiences for students in various disciplines including engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture. The Educational programs and technologies are explored through courses and research. Course for students in various disciplines combine an exploration of American Indian culture with research on sustainable building methods. Collaborative research examines the technical properties of sustainable building methods and their applications to address housing problems. Both courses and research promote resource-efficient and regionally-appropriate housing solutions. Research conducted, also helps to clarify and refine resource-efficient and regionally-appropriate building methods. American Indian Housing Initiative introduces volunteer friendly and sustainable building methods in American Indian Communities in support of community-built housing program.
All the American Indian Housing programs help break the cycle of hardship faced by American Indian children.