The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority will acquire and maintain assets. KTHA will strive to alleviate the acute shortage of decent, safe and sanitary dwellings for Native American persons of low and moderate income. KTHA will promote and sustain the culture, education, language, health, welfare, self-sufficiency, and economic independence of its residents. Affordable housing services shall include rental, home ownership, and model programs.

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (KTHA) has not yet begun the Homeowner's Assistance Fund (HAF) Program. As soon as the program is open, the policies and application forms will be posted here.

Combined Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and

Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI-RROF)

Date of Posting: August 16, 2023

This combined Notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Karuk Tribe.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS: On or about September 6, 2023 the Karuk Tribe will authorize the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority to submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Indian Housing Block Grant – American Rescue Plan Act (IHBG-ARPA) funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Public Law 117-2), to undertake a project known as the RV Park Home Construction for the purpose of constructing seven (7) two-bedroom, single family homes at 64410, 64414, 64418, 64422, 64426, 64430, and 64434 Second Avenue, Happy Camp, CA (Siskiyou County), Assessor Parcel Numbers (APN): 016-510-030 through 016-510-090. Additional site improvements will include fencing between the homes, an access driveway, and a barrier wall. The total estimated cost of the project is $2,700,345.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT: The Karuk Tribe has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority Administrative Office located at 635 Jacobs Way, Happy Camp and may be examined or copied Monday through Friday, between 8am and 5pm.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Sara Spence, Karuk Tribe Housing Authority, PO Box 1159, Happy Camp, CA 96039. All comments received by September 5, 2023 will be considered by the Karuk Tribe prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION: The Karuk Tribe certifies to HUD that Russell Attebery in his capacity as Chairman consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS: HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Karuk Tribe’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Karuk Tribe; (b) the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Deborah.s.broermann@hud.gov, HUD SWONAP Native American Program Specialist. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Russell Attebery, Chairman, Karuk Tribe

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority offers Low Income and Elder Rental Units in Yreka, Happy Camp, and Orleans to income eligible Tribal individuals and families. KTHA also offers the following assistance to income eligible Karuk Tribal Members, residing in the KTHA Service Area (Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties): First-Time Homebuyer Loans, Down Payment Assistance Grants, Mortgage Relief Grants, Student Rent Vouchers, Elder Rent Vouchers, and Temporary Rent Vouchers, Home Replacement Grants, Home Rehabilitation & Weatherization Grants and Loans, and Home Improvement Loans.

Samantha White, Admissions/Loan Specialist, receives and processes ALL applications for KTHA assistance. We encourage Tribal Members who have any unmet housing needs to SUBMIT AN APPLICATION! The income limits that determine eligibility are not as low as you may think; many working families are still at or below 80% of US Median Family Income Limits set by HUD. Samantha can be reached at (800) 250-5811, Extension 3108 or smwhite@karuk.us

We remind all applicants that a current, complete, application is required in order to determine eligibility for KTHA assistance. Please be patient as you go through the application process and understand that everyone’s experience will be unique. There is a checklist on the application listing mandatory items that must be included; however additional documents will be requested depending on your individual circumstances. All applicants will be notified if there is missing documentation, or if additional information is needed, in order to continue processing the application, as well as when the application is deemed complete. Processing times are different depending on the program applied for due to the necessary documentation, research, and third party verifications required for each program.

All offers for KTHA units are made from the Waiting List based on the preference points assigned. Points cannot be assigned without appropriate documentation and verifications, which is why additional information will often be requested during the application process. It is a requirement that applications are kept current, and updated at least annually. Because most changes will have an effect on preference points, applicants MUST submit ALL changes using the Information Update Form. Examples of information to report include but are not limited to: address and phone number changes, income changes, household size changes due to marriage, divorce, birth, death, or custody orders, employment status changes such as schedule changes, employer changes, becoming a full time student or changing an existing student class schedule, etc.

Unfortunately, KTHA cannot tell applicants where they are at on the Waiting List other than that they are, or are not, in the Top Ten for an offer, should an appropriately sized unit become available. Once an application is complete, and you have been added to the waiting list, the only thing you need to do is report changes that occur, and keep your information current.

We understand the frustration that applicants encounter with the length of time they have been on the waiting list without an offer and the best advice we can offer, is to focus their efforts during that time on actions that can result in raising the number of points they have. Some examples are gaining, and maintaining, full or part time employment, enrolling in school as a full time student carrying 12 units, etc.

We encourage all applicants to ask questions. We want to ensure you understand the process. If it weren’t for you, we would not exist to provide this valuable service! We continuously have over 600 households on our waiting list and look forward to the day when adequate funding is provided to serve all eligible households, but until that day arrives, we have to continue working within our funding constraints.

Applications are due by July 31 each year to Samantha White, Admissions/Loan Specialist who can be reached at (800) 250-5811, extension 3108 or smwhite@karuk.us

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority Student Rent Voucher Program provides rental assistance for income eligible Karuk Tribal Members while attending college or vocational school full-time (12 units). Assistance is based on the household’s total income, for a 10-month period (August-May), up to a school year maximum of $5,000, whichever comes first.

Students who do not meet the July 31 deadline, may still apply, and if eligible for assistance, may receive partial year assistance, beginning the first of the month following the date their application is deemed complete, with BOC approval, based on availability of remaining funds.

The link below will take you to a new page with the policies and procedures for the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority.

Disclosure: The version of the policy on this website may not always be the most current as website updates may not always coincide with policy updates that have been approved but not yet uploaded.

The Board of Commissioners meets twice each month, the meeting location rotates between the housing communities of Yreka, Happy Camp, and Orleans. The Tenant Meeting, usually held the first Monday of each month, is open to the public. The Director Meeting, is a closed meeting.

In accordance with Chapter 12 Grievance Procedures, prior to submitting a request to the BOC, ensure all Tenant Matters have been through all levels of appeal as outlined in this Flowchart. Failure to do so, will result in your request being tabled or returned to staff for review.

In accordance with the Karuk Tribe's Housing Ordinance, the Board of Commissioners is comprised of seven Enrolled Karuk Tribal Members appointed by the Tribal Council, two of which shall be currently seated Tribal Council Members.

Date of Posting: August 16, 2023

Russell Attebery, Chairman, Karuk Tribe

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