of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (2025)

Grand Traverse Band

of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Housing Department III

2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive

Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Office: (231) 534-7800

Fax: (231) 534-7025

DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Dear Applicant,

Before you submit your request for Down Payment Assistance, we suggest that you review the

following checklist to be sure that you have submitted copies of all necessary documents. This will

help ensure consideration as a complete application.

 Attend Pathways Home Class.

 Down Payment Assistance Application.

 Authorization for Release of Information.

 Copy of Tribal ID cards.

 Reside in the six-county service area.

 The 4 most current income check stub(s) for all family members within the household.

 The most current tax returns/W-2’s for all family members within the household.

 All other applicable forms of income for all family members within the household, which may

include but is not limited to, child support, unemployment, social security, or pension benefits.

 Purchase Agreement.

 All other applicable documents as stated in the rules and regulations.

 Check will be released at closing.

Tribe can assist with down payment money to buy a new home, stick built home, single and

doublewide mobile or manufactured and modular homes.

Land contract and Lease with option to purchase are not eligible.

Sincerely,

GTB Housing

Down Payment Assistance Application

A.

Applicant Information

Name

Last

First

Middle

Maiden (if any)

Current Address

Zip

Date of Birth

Phone

SS #

Tribe

Roll #

Marital Status

B.

Married

Single

Widowed

Other

Family Information

List all other persons living in household on a permanent basis.

NAME

Date of Birth

SS #

Relationship

Roll #

C. Income Information

Please provide all proof of income for the applicant and all permanent family members at least 18

years of age who are listed under Section F and have earned income. Provide copies of income tax

returns, W-2 forms, Per Capita, Trust fund distributions, wage/check stubs, social security award

letters, etc. for verification.

D. Housing Information

Address/location of the house to be constructed or purchased

Zip

Is electricity available?

Yes

No

Number of bedrooms

Type of sewer system: City Sewer

Septic Tank

Water source:

City Water

Private Well

E. Land Information

Do you or will you own the land in which you wish to build/purchase this home?

If no, please provide name and address of owner(s)

What is the current status of the land:

Fee Simple (most common)

Other (please describe)

If you do not own the land, do you have:

Yes

No

Tribal Trust Land

Leasehold Interest

Use Permit

Indefinite assignment or joint ownership (Please explain)

F. General Information

Have you or anyone in your household ever received Emergency Home Repair?

If yes, please provide amount received, year and location

Do you currently own a home?

Yes

No

Yes

No

If yes, will it remain your permanent and legal residence

(please explain)

Have you owned a home in the past five (5) years?

G.

Yes

No

Applicant Certification

Read this certification carefully before you sign and date your application in ink.

I certify that all of the information given on this application is true, complete and correct to the best

of my knowledge and belief, and they are made in good faith. This certification is made with the

knowledge that the information will be used to determine eligibility to receive financial assistance. I

further understand that misrepresentation of facts constitutes fraud and could render me ineligible

for financial assistance.

Applicant’s Signature

Date

Spouse’s Signature (if applicable)

Date

Grand Traverse Band

of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Housing Department III

2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive

Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Office: (231) 534-7800

Fax: (231) 534-7025

AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION

PURPOSE: The Grand Traverse Band Housing Department may use this Authorization and the information obtained with it to

administer and enforce Tribal and Federally subsidized Housing program rules and policies.

PROGRAMS COVERED:

1. Rental Housing (Single Family, NAHASDA Elderly, Section 515)

2. Homeownership Programs (Mutual Help & Tax Credit)

3. Rental Assistance (Formerly Section 8/Voucher)

4. HUD Section 202 Elderly Rental

5. Emergency Housing Shelter

6. Housing Department Loan Programs

7. Federal Loan & Loan Guarantee Programs (VA, HUD Sec 184, Rural Development Section 502, 504 & RNAP)

8. Down Payment Assistance Program

AUTHORIZATION: I, authorize the release of any information, including documentation and other material pertinent to eligibility for

participation under any of the above named programs. Additionally, I authorize the Grand Traverse Band Housing Department to

obtain information about me or my family that is pertinent to eligibility for participation in any of the above named programs.

INFORMATION COVERED: Inquires may be made and information provided on the following:

W-2 Payments

G.A.P. Payments

Federal, State, Tribal or Local Benefits

Credit History

Criminal Activity

Family Composition

Medical Expenses

Identify Martial Status

Employment, Pensions and Assets

Social Security Numbers

Child Care Payments

Handicapped Assistance Expenses

Residents Rental History

Unemployment Compensation

Wages

Loan Paperwork (all types)

Mortgage Loan Approvals

Foreclosure Notices (on Loans)

Delinquency Notices (on Loans, Rent, Utilities, etc.)

INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY RELEASE INFORMATION:

Any individual or organization, including any

governmental organization, may be asked to release information. Examples of such agencies/organizations are:

Financial Institutions (all types)

Tribal/County/State/Federal Courts

Credit Bureaus

Landlord(s) (Past/Present)

U.S. Social Security Administration

Utility Companies

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Welfare Agencies

Law Enforcement Agencies

Employers (Past/Present)

Schools and Colleges

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Dept. of HUD

U.S. Dept. of AG, Rural Dev.

PROVIDERS OF:

Alimony, child care, credit,

child support, medical care,

handicapped assistance, Pension,

Annuities

CONDITIONS: I, agree that photocopies of this authorization may be used for the purpose stated above. I also understand that if I

do not sign this authorization for the release of information, I can be denied eligibility for Tribal and/or Federal Housing Assistance.

/

/

/

/

(Head of Household Signature)

(Social Security Number)

(Spouse / Friend / Significant Other Signature)

(Social Security Number)

(Other Household Member - over 18 years of age -Signature)

(Social Security Number)

(Other Household Member - over 18 years of age -Signature)

(Social Security Number)

(Date)

(Date)

/

/

/

/

(Date)

(Date)

Grand Traverse Band

of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Housing Department III

2605 N West Bay Shore Drive

Peshawbestown MI 49682

Office: (231) 534-7800

Fax: (231) 534-7025

NAHASDA DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Housing Department created the

NAHASDA Down Payment Assistance Program in response to Membership desires to become

homeowners. The program provides financial assistance to help income qualifying enrolled Grand

Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal members who wish to purchase or build

their own homes. The program is limited to the six-county area (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand

Traverse, Leelanau and Manistee Counties) as recognized by the Secretary of Housing and Urban

Development. The funding is available for use on Tribal owned land and Fee Simple land.

NAHASDA is the acronym for the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination

Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-330). NAHASDA receives its funding through an annual appropriation by

Congress and administered through the Office of Native American Programs of the Department of

Housing and Urban Development. This Down Payment Assistance Program is required to meet all

provisions of the Act, which includes the income guidelines as defined in the Act.

Low-Income FamilyThe term “Low-Income Family” means a family whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the

median income for the area, as determined by the Secretary of HUD with adjustments for smaller

and larger families, except that the Secretary, for the purpose of this paragraph, may establish

income ceilings higher or lower than 80 percent of the median for the area on the basis of findings

of the Secretary or the agency that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of

construction costs or unusually high or low family incomes.

PLEASE NOTE THAT NAHASDA DOES INCLUDE ALL SOURCES OF INCOME, WHICH INCLUDES

PER CAPITA FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELIGIBILTY DETERMINATION.

MEDIAN INCOMEThe term “Median Income” means, with respect to an area that is an Indian area, the greater ofA)

B)

The median income for the Indian area, which the Secretary shall determine, or

The median income of the United States.

The Grand Traverse Band is permitted to use the Median Income for Leelanau County as baseline

income for all NAHASDA eligible activities within the six-county service areas.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations apply to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa

Indians NAHASDA Down Payment Assistance Program. It is important to note that the financial

assistance provided under this program is a grant.

Regulation #1

The NAHASDA Down Payment Program is limited to income eligible

enrolled Tribal members purchasing or building a home within the sixcounty service area of the Tribe.

Regulation #2

Applicants must complete the Tribal Down Payment Assistance application

and provide all required documentation 10 days before the anticipated

closing date of the proposed transaction. The Tribal member and/or their

Lender are to provide a copy of the following documents:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

11)

12)

13)

14)

Tribal ID;

Proof of Income to verify NAHASDA eligibility;

Mortgage commitment letter;

Good Faith Estimate;

Copy of the Purchase and Sales Agreement;

Appraisal;

Truth in Lending Statement;*

HUD One Settlement Statement detailing all associated costs of

the transaction;*

Final Loan Application;*

Copy of the Note and Mortgage;*

Copy of the Warranty Deed from the Title Company indicating

clear ownership to the property;*

Copy of proof of Homeowner’s Insurance;

Satisfactory Home Inspection Report from a Certified Home

Inspector (if home is not a brand new build);

Satisfactory completion of the Pathways Home Homebuyer

Education Course.

Copies of these documents may be obtained by the Lender Liaison on the

day of closing.

If the transaction is a cash purchase that does not include lender financing,

the Tribal member must provide items 1, 2, 5 and items 11-14 from the list

above before a check will be issued to the Closing Agent.

All checks will be made payable to the Settlement Agent/Lender and

the tribal member. Lender Liaison will attend closing and bring funds

at that time.

Regulation #3

The program is limited to First-Time Homeowners. The term “First Time

Homeowner” refers to an individual that has not owned or held a leasehold

interest in real property within the most recent five-year period. Members

who have owned a singlewide mobile/manufactured home may be eligible

for assistance provided they no longer hold the title to the

mobile/manufactured dwelling. Applicants are ineligible if they have

received Down Payment Assistance through another Tribal program in the

past. Members are limited to one (LIFETIME) Down Payment Assistance

Grant per head of household from any of the Tribal sponsored Down

Payment Assistance Programs (RAO, NAHASDA and any future programs).

Regulation #4

This assistance is to purchase or build an Owner Occupied Residence only,

i.e., the dwelling acquired must be the Member’s legal and permanent

domicile.

Regulation #5

The program is limited to structures that have a minimum width of 24 feet

and total square footage in excess of 800 square feet.

Regulation #6

The Down Payment Assistance Program is a grant of up to $15,000;

however the recipient must retain ownership interest in the property for a

minimum period of ten years. Should the Member sell his/her ownership

interest in the property before the expiration of the ten-year retention

period without investing the proceeds in a new dwelling, he/she must repay

the grant based on a level payment declining balance. Ten percent of the

repayment amount is forgiven annually.

The grant is forgiven over the life of the mortgage and/or holding period

of the home, whichever is longer. This provision addresses any potential

tax liability that may be imposed by the IRS at a later date.

Regulation #7

Recipients of the NAHASDA Down Payment Assistance are not eligible for

the RAO Down Payment Assistance Program and prohibited from applying

for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Home Repair

Program for a period of five years from the settlement date.

Regulation #8

New construction applications - the plans and specifications must be

reviewed by the Lender, and meet or exceed the International Building Codes

and/or applicable Tribal Building Codes. During construction, the building

inspector must certify that construction methods and techniques used when

building the dwelling are consistent with the approved plans and specs. Fee

Simple transactions must comply with all applicable local zoning and building

codes.

The NAHASDA Down Payment Assistance Program is intended for the

benefit of income qualified enrolled Tribal members, therefore all

mortgage lenders, banks and finance companies participating in this

program must agree to comply with the Tribe’s Anti-Predatory Lending

Policy. Any lender found to be in violation of this policy will prohibited

from participating in Tribal sponsored programs.

Grand Traverse Band

of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Housing Department III

2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive

Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Office: (231) 534-7800

Fax: (231) 534-7025

RAO Down Payment Assistance Program

More and more Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians members are becoming

eligible for loans from banks and mortgage companies to buy or build their own homes, yet still

need financial assistance to complete the loan transaction. This program would make financial

assistance available to those Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal members

who wish to become homeowners.

The Tribe recognizes the need to establish the Down Payment Assistance Program and will provide

financial assistance to those enrolled Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal

members who wish to buy or build their own homes, whether on Tribally owned land or fee simple

properties and permanently live in the six county service area.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Regulation #1: The Down Payment Assistance Program will serve enrolled Grand Traverse Band of

Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal members who reside in the six-county

service area for a home that is located within the service area.

Regulation #2: An application must be filed with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and

Chippewa Indians Housing Department before any action can be taken on

requests for assistance and meets minimum property standards as set by:

Local and Tribal regulations on building codes and minimum health and

safety standards.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Proof of all household income must be provided.

Copy of the executed purchase and sales agreement.

Copy of the Warranty Deed from the Title Company indicating clear

ownership to the property.

Copy of a lease from the Tribe must be furnished if the applicant

lives on Tribal land.

A satisfactory Home Inspection Report from a Certified Home

Inspector and a copy of the mortgage appraisal of the home must be

submitted to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa

Indians Housing Department before the Tribe releases financial

assistance.

Copy of settlement statement.

Proof of Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

membership must be furnished.

Regulation #3: The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians allows for applications

for singlewide mobile/manufactured homes that are in livable, clean and safe

condition, to be funded from this program.

1)

A Certified Home Inspector must inspect the home.

2)

The home cannot be more than ten (10) years old.

3)

The Tribal Member must contact a Certified Housing Inspector to

verify that the home they wish to buy meets minimum health and

safety standards as well as all prevailing codes.

a)

Inspection sheet must accompany the check request.

Regulation #4:

A maximum of 10% of the total cost of the home, or $15,000.00, whichever

is less, is available for Tribal Members wishing to buy their own homes.

Regulation #5: The Down Payment Assistance is paid to one Declared Head of Household on a

Declared Permanent Residence. (Down Payment can only be allowed for

one Head of Household.).

Regulation #6: Once the home is purchased and closing has taken place, the Tribal Member will not

be eligible to access the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa

Indians Tribal Home Repair Program for a period of five (5) years.

Regulation #7: The Down Payment Assistance Program is available on a “One Time Only Basis”

for the declared Head of Household.

1)

Previous Down Payment recipients are not eligible for this program.

2)

Tribal Members cannot access more than one Down Payment

Program to qualify for home financing.

Grantee understands that the grant is made subject to all the regulations now, or in the future,

written by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Housing Department and the

regulations adopted by the Tribal Council. Last revision was in October 2024.