California Department of Housing and Community Development: Tribal Nations Engagement Handbook (2024) Part 1

Source: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/esg/esg-hcd-california-tribal-nations-handbook.pdf

Introduction and Purpose of the Handbook

As the state of California focuses on creating safe and affordable housing opportunities for all residents, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) plays a primary role in shaping state housing policy so that all Californians can live, work, and play in healthy communities of opportunity. One area where HCD has sought to deepen its understanding of and investment in affordable housing opportunities is with California Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs).¹

Specifically, HCD wants to improve access to state housing and infrastructure funding programs for Tribes and TDHEs, which aligns with the State’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its relationship with Tribes by considering and including the needs and input of Tribal communities throughout California. This handbook provides HCD and community-level staff and leadership with guidance on establishing and nurturing relationships with Tribes and TDHEs throughout California. There are 109² federally recognized Tribes in the state, in addition to 65 Tribes in California that do not yet have federal recognition.
Each Tribe is a sovereign nation, and while this handbook is not an exhaustive guide on each California Tribe, it strives to provide a blueprint for engaging with and supporting Tribes and TDHEs in their affordable housing and infrastructure efforts. This handbook is a living document, guided by
Indigenous perspectives, and should evolve and grow over time. We hope it provides the context and information HCD and community partners need to nurture mutually beneficial relationships with Tribes.

1. A Tribally Designated Housing Entity is a designation by the authority (such as a Tribal Council or like body) for an Indian Tribe of an entity other than the Tribal government to receive grants and assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) for affordable housing activities. 1998 Amendments [P (hud.gov) ↩︎
2. Appendix III provides a list of the 109 Tribal Nations in California. It identifies the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians as separate Tribal Nations (they are listed together in the Federal Register). The Modoc Nation situated in Oklahoma is also included on the list but not counted. ↩︎