FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI)
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) is a grant for homebuyers in Montana, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (via participating member financial institutions).
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: At least one household member on the mortgage must be a first-time homebuyer
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Must qualify for mortgage financing with participating FHLB member lender
- A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved homebuyer education course required if first-time homebuyer
- Residency: Home purchased must be located within the FHLB Des Moines district (includes all of Montana)
- Citizenship or immigration status: Must be Native American, Native Alaskan, or Native Hawaiian
- Must work through a participating FHLB Des Moines member lender — FHLB does not take applications directly. Signed Purchase and Sale Agreement required at enrollment. Homebuyer education required if first-time buyer. $150,000 per-member cap per cycle — may be depleted.
- A home in Montana
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 80% of area median income
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
80% of the area median income where the home is
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
Montana’s homesMontana’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 68.8% single-familysingle-family
- 4.5% townhousetownhouse
- 7.4% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 9.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 9.6% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$375,800
Montana median home value
48.9%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HUD-approved homebuyer education course required if first-time homebuyer.
Contact Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (via participating member financial institutions) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; limit $150,000 per FHLB Des Moines member institution per cycle, and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI)?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) is a grant for homebuyers in Montana, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (via participating member financial institutions). The Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) is a down payment and closing cost assistance grant offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to qualifying Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian homebuyers through participating member institutions. Grants of up to $25,000 per household for down payment, closing costs, and repairs, or new construction. 5-year deed restriction with prorated repayment if home sold early. Montana is fully within the FHLB Des Moines district. Up to $25,000 grant. Available for purchase, new construction, in-connection repairs. Forgiven after 5 years. Applicable statewide across all of Montana. Funding comes from Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines net income (10% to affordable housing); NAHI-specific pool.
How much assistance does it provide?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) offers up to $25,000 in assistance. Homebuyer contribution: Must have signed Purchase and Sale Agreement to enroll. The program can be combined with HUD Section 184; Blackfeet Housing Home Ownership Program; Apsaalooke Nation Housing Authority DPA; state programs. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (via participating member financial institutions) determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by Sale or transfer within 5 years (prorated repayment); forgiven on sale at net loss, sale to LMI buyer, or foreclosure. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: At least one household member on the mortgage must be a first-time homebuyer. On credit, the program states: Must qualify for mortgage financing with participating FHLB member lender. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved homebuyer education course required if first-time homebuyer. Residency requirement: Home purchased must be located within the FHLB Des Moines district (includes all of Montana). Citizenship or immigration status: Must be Native American, Native Alaskan, or Native Hawaiian. Must work through a participating FHLB Des Moines member lender — FHLB does not take applications directly. Signed Purchase and Sale Agreement required at enrollment. Homebuyer education required if first-time buyer. $150,000 per-member cap per cycle — may be depleted.
What are the income limits?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) caps the purchase price as follows: No published purchase price limit; property must be within FHLB Des Moines district (Montana included). Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, Manufactured, and Other. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.
Is there eligibility for specific groups?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) names American Indian and Alaska Native homebuyers among the groups it serves. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.
Where does it apply?
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in Montana.
How do you apply?
Applications for FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) go through Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (via participating member financial institutions), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; limit $150,000 per FHLB Des Moines member institution per cycle. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Montana homebuyersOther programs open to Montana homebuyers
- HUD Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee ProgramUp to $524,225
- NeighborWorks Montana Statewide Low-Mod Amortizing SecondUp to $20,000
- MBOH Plus 0% Deferred Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $15,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 73 programs for MontanaProgram terms are set by Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (via participating member financial institutions) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.