Housing Department Programs

Rental Housing Program

Tulalip Tribes Housing Department manages 135 rental units developed under the 1937 Housing Act, and 24 rental units developed under the Indian Housing Block Grant program. To be eligible for these programs, families must be Native Americans with an annual income not exceeding 80% of median income for Snohomish and King Counties. In addition, families must meet certain background requirements such as not having a family with a history of drug-related or violent criminal behavior, and not having a past-due debt to the Tulalip Tribes. Families pay 20% of the monthly adjusted income for rent and a security deposit of $500 ($250 for elderly) is required. There is currently a long waiting list for this program, but applications are still being taken.

Mutual Help Homeownership Program

There are currently 110 homes managed by the Tulalip Tribes under the Mutual Help Homeownership Program. Families under the MH program enter into a Mutual Help Agreement (MHOA) that specifies the purchase price of the home that is amortized over a fifteen year period. Eligibility requirements are the same as for the Rental Housing Program, above, plus families must have a minimum annual income of $15,000. Families pay 15% of monthly adjusted income, with a minimum monthly payment of $193. All payments above the minimum monthly payment (also called the “administrative fee”), are deposited into a Monthly Equity Payments Account (MEPA) that is used to pay down the unamortized balance of the purchase price. When the total of the funds in the MEPA account is equal to the unamortized balance of the purchase price, the home is conveyed to the family.

Home Repair Program

Low-income families who own their own homes can apply for up to $20,000 to perform repairs such as foundations, roofs, heating systems, or any other repair that’s needed to make their homes safe and habitable. Loans are amortized over ten years with the family only having to repay a portion of the loan if they move out of the home during the ten-year period. Homes must be owned and occupied by the family, and Tulalip tribal members have preference.

Rental Assistance Program

The Tulalip Tribes Housing Department is in the process of implementing a Rental Assistance Program whereby Tulalip would pay a portion of a low-income family’s rent. The amount of the assistance will likely be based on the family’s income. It is anticipated this program will be implemented before the end of the year.