IHBG Meeting

Questions and Answers About the Community Meetings and Survey

What is the Indian Housing Block Grant Program?

The Indian Housing Block Grant program is a program operated by the Office of Native American Programs (ONAP). ONAP is part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Indian Housing Block Grant program is supposed to help Indian and Alaskan Native people meet their housing needs by increasing the supply of safe, decent, affordable housing in Native Country.

Why is this meeting happening?

ONAP wants to find out about the Indian Housing Block Grant program’s results and is sponsoring an evaluation of the program. The evaluation will help ONAP to:

1. Learn more about the Indian Housing Block Grant activities,

2. Determine whether the program is addressing the affordable housing needs of tribes and Native people, and

3. Collect information about the major challenges to operating the program.

This information will help ONAP understand the strengths and weaknesses of program and explore its outcomes.

Why should I talk to people from ACKO, Inc., or Abt Associates, Inc.?

ONAP has contracted with ACKCO, Inc. (an Indian owned corporation located in Phoenix) and their subcontractor, Abt Associates Inc., to conduct the study.

What will ACKO and Abt researchers do?

ACKCO and Abt are visiting 30 tribal organizations across the nation to gather information on Indian Housing Block Grant operations. They are working with tribal staff to have community meetings in each of those 30 locations to get information from residents about housing conditions and issues.

What else will I be asked to do if I attend this community meeting?

In addition to participating in the community meeting discussions, people who attend the meeting will also be asked to complete a short 2-page questionnaire on housing issues in the community.

How can I be sure that no one will see my answers? How do I know that I won’t lose my housing if I participate?

ACKO, Inc. and Abt Associates, Inc. staff are committed to protecting the identity of all people they talk to. Your answers will not be associated with your name, and in fact, your name will not even be collected on the survey. Your participation in this study will in no way affect your current housing.

Do I have to do the survey?

No, you are not required to do the survey. Your participation is completely voluntary. If you do decide to complete the survey, you do not have to answer all of the questions if you don’t want to. You can also stop filling out the survey at any time.