Housing Division Frequently Asked Questions

Housing Division rentals are available to tribal households who earn up to 115% AMI. Rents are a fixed rate, and not based on income. Housing Division rentals are first come, first served – when openings are available, consideration is based on the order applications are received. 

SHA offers low-income housing, which means that renters must make 80% or less AMI to qualify. SHA rentals are also subsidized, so rent is dependent on each household’s income. The rental process for SHA differs from the process used for the Housing Division. Please contact SHA directly to learn more. SHA is managed by the Housing Authority Board. 

Not at the moment. When apartments are available, notice will be shared on the tribe’s reader board, website, social media, and text messaging stream. To sign up for tribal text messages, text Swinomish1 to 91896.

If you rent in Tallawhalt II and need maintenance or repairs, please call (360) 588-3820, or email homes [at] swinomish.nsn.us (homes[at]swinomish[dot]nsn[dot]us).

The Housing Division administers funds for income-based programs:

• Swinomish Homeowner Assistance Fund, maximum income to qualify 150% AMI
• Home Preservation Grant, maximum income to qualify 80% AMI
• Housing Improvement Program, maximum income to qualify 30% AMI

Staff can also help low-income homeowners apply for the Skagit Weatherization Program, through the Housing Authority of Skagit County. This program can help with things such as furnace repair and replacement, insulation, and more. 

Housing Division staff can assist with the Site Preparation Assistance Grant, infrastructure funding through IHS, assistance with navigating loans on trust land, and have engineered housing plans available for Tribal member use. The Housing Division also assists with “scattered site” leasing and development when scattered sites are available to lease. 

You can call (360) 588-3820, or email homes [at] swinomish.nsn.us (homes[at]swinomish[dot]nsn[dot]us).

Median in mathematics is a term for “middle.” Meaning that, when put in order, half of the numbers in a set are higher and half are lower than the median. The area median income (AMI) is calculated for each town or county by HUD yearly, and is used to help decide who qualifies for low-income housing and other housing assistance programs. 

HUD typically breaks AMI into categories based on percentages:

• 30% of AMI or less: Extremely low income
• 50% of AMI or less: Very low income
• 80% of AMI or less: Low income

The Site Preparation Assistance Grant is a once-per-lifetime grant up to $20,000 for any tribal member wishing to build their primary residence within the Swinomish Reservation. It can be used for grading, grubbing, trenching for utilities, retaining walls, foundation excavation, and other excavation related to the home. It may also be used for the contingency, closing costs, fees, or other amounts required to finance a construction loan. Check the website for more information.

Scattered sites are tribal trust land on the reservation that can be leased to tribal members to build a home. Scattered sites are not widely available, but when they are, the Housing Division works with Land Management to facilitate the leasing process.