Survey on Tribal Homelessness and Housing Support for Communities that Utilize Tribal TANF

OMB Control Number: 0970-0531, Expiration Date: 9/30/2025

Survey on Tribal Homelessness and Housing Support for Communities that Utilize Tribal TANF

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your insights are essential in helping us understand how Tribal TANF programs are currently addressing housing challenges and homelessness within tribal communities. This survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. According to the 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, the percentage of people experiencing sheltered homelessness increased significantly between 2022 and 2023, with the largest increase—18 percent—among those who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous (an additional 1,631 people). This highlights the urgent need to gather relevant data to better support tribal communities in addressing these challenges. Your participation will help inform targeted strategies to improve housing stability and access to support services.

The primary focus of the survey is to gather information on how TANF funds are being used to support homelessness prevention and housing stability efforts in tribal communities. Your responses will directly inform an Information Memorandum (IM) that provides guidance to Tribal TANF programs on addressing homelessness and housing needs. This IM will accompany a broader Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on TANF to ensure alignment with national goals while addressing the unique needs of tribal communities.

Your participation in this survey is completely voluntary. Information collected will be kept private to the extent permitted by law.

Section 1: Current Housing and Homelessness Situation

1. Would you like to know more about how TANF can be used to support housing and homelessness services?

   • Yes

   • No

2. If not, why {lack of funding, manpower, need, etc.) (Open Answer)

3. How prevalent is homelessness for members within your tribal service area?

   • Not an issue, Minor issue, Moderate issue, Major issue, Severe issue

4. How prevalent is homelessness for members outside your tribal service area (for nearby urban areas)?

   • Not an issue, Minor issue, Moderate issue, Major issue, Severe issue

5. What are the primary causes of housing challenges for your members within your tribe service area? (Rate each on a scale of 1 to 5)

1. Housing Affordability / Poverty Related Barriers (unemployment, low income; lack of the security deposit; housing cost burden households spending over 30% of their income on housing)

2. Safe housing shortage / Overcrowding / Doubling up (limited supply of housing options that meet safety standards and housing that is suitable for different needs e.g., for large families, persons with disabilities, etc.)

3. Infrastructure Inadequacies or Poor housing conditions (lack of basic utilities like water, electricity, and sanitation that are necessary for housing to be considered habitable)

4. Lack of Housing Services and Supports (Limited availability of supportive services, such as housing counseling or rental assistance, and services that help with credit reports or rental history)

5. Other Barriers (Financing, lack of land, etc.)

6. Other (please specify): [Free Text Box]

6. What are the primary causes of housing challenges for your members outside your tribe service area (for nearby urban areas)? (Rate each on a scale of 1 to 5)

1. Housing Affordability / Poverty Related Barriers (unemployment, low income; lack of the security deposit; housing cost burden households spending over 30% of their income on housing)

2. Safe housing shortage / Overcrowding / Doubling up (limited supply of housing options that meet safety standards and housing that is suitable for different needs e.g., for large families, persons with disabilities, etc.)

3. Infrastructure Inadequacies or Poor housing conditions (lack of basic utilities like water, electricity, and sanitation that are necessary for housing to be considered habitable)

4. Lack of Housing Services and Supports (Limited availability of supportive services, such as housing counseling or rental assistance, and services that help with credit reports or rental history)

5. Other Barriers (Financing, lack of land, etc.)

6. Other (please specify): [Free Text Box]

Section 2: Use of Tribal TANF Funds

6. Do you use TANF Funds to help support housing for your tribal members?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Unsure

6. If yes, what type of housing support does your TANF program provide to tribal members? (Select all that apply)

1. Assistance with rent or mortgage

2. Utility assistance

3. Home repairs

4. Down payment assistance (Including: Individual Development Accounts)

5. Rental deposit assistance

6. Tenant Supports (Including navigating the application process and Working with Landlords)

7. Emergency assistance (disaster relief, crisis support, etc.)

8. Assistance with locating safe housing (both on and off the reservation)

9. Support for members outside of the tribal service area (providing TANF for members outside the service area or transitioning to the state system)

10. Support financial management

11. Support with other challenges (Domestic Violence, eviction assistance, mental health, substance abuse, transportation) (please specify): [Free Text Box]

6. If you provide down payment assistance, how is it provided to your tribal members? (Select all that apply)

   • Direct payment to the lender

   • Assistance through IDAs (Individual Development Accounts)

   • Nonrecurrent short term benefits (NRSTs)

   • Other (please specify): [Free Text Box]

6. How do you use TANF funds to prevent homelessness among your tribal members? (Select all that apply)

   • Emergency rental or mortgage assistance

   • Utility payments

   • Temporary shelter

   • Home repairs

   • Legal Services

   • Eviction Support

   • Other (please specify): [Free Text Box]

   • None of the above, my tribe does not use TANF Funds

Section 3: Barriers and Challenges

6. If your TANF program does not address housing or homelessness, what are the main barriers? (Select all that apply)

1. Competing Priorities

2. Lack of Funding

3. Regulatory Challenges

4. Political Will

5. Lack of Technical Expertise

6. Limited Collaboration or Partnerships

7. Cultural Considerations

8. Didn’t Know It Was an Option

9. Competing Interests

10. Other (Please Specify): [Free Text Box]

Section 4: Resources and Collaboration

13. What other resources are available to prevent homelessness within your tribe? (Select all that apply)

1. Federal funds (e.g., HUD, BIA)

2. State funds (ex: MOE)

3. Philanthropic partners

4. Tribal Funds

5. Other (including Demonstration projects, other grants like HUD Continuum of Care (CoC)): [Free Text Box]

13. Do you coordinate with tribal housing programs to address housing or homelessness for your tribal members?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Unsure

13. Do you work with other housing supports, such as philanthropic partners or Continuums of Care (CoC) within your tribe?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Unsure

13. Are there gaps in resources or services that make it difficult to address housing needs within your tribe?

    • Yes, significant gaps

    • Yes, some gaps

    • No, resources are adequate

    • Unsure

    • [Optional] Please explain: [Free Text Box]

Section 5: Support and Assistance

17. How can the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) assist your tribe in using TANF to address housing challenges? (Select all that apply)

1. Identify additional resources and funding opportunities

2. Offer technical assistance and training

3. Develop guidance documents

4. Facilitate partnerships and collaborations

5. Host webinars or gatherings

6. Facilitate Peer to Peer learning

7. Sharing Best Practices

8. Other (please specify): [Free Text Box]

17. Are you open to follow-up communication regarding the use of TANF funds for housing support for your tribal members?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Unsure

Section 6: Additional Feedback

19. Do you have any additional comments, suggestions, or questions regarding housing issues within your tribe?

    • Free Text Box

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) The purpose of this information collection is to…. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per respondent, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB # is 0970-0531 and the expiration date is 09/30/2025. If you have any comments on this collection of information, please contact Tonya Davis praquestions.tribaltanf@acf.hhs.gov