Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing

Current Goals/Objectives :

To create opportunities that meet the housing needs of Cowlitz tribal members in an efficient, professional and financially responsible manner.

Emergency Programs

* How do I know if I qualify?  HUD income limits are updated yearly.  You can see if you may qualify by clicking on the link and selecting your state and county.  Locate your household size for the 80% income limit category or if the program goes up to 150% median income, you may use the same instructions by multiplying the 50% income limit category by 3.  

Emergency Programs  - Download Application
 

Limited funding is available to help with housing-related emergencies or hardships. We have two emergency programs this year.
 

• EMERGENCY MEDICAL RELATED HOTEL STAY
• ONE-TIME EMERGENCY $5K HOUSING RELATED ASSISTANCE

Emergency Medical Related Hotel Stay – This program is designed to assist Cowlitz families in need of emergency hotel stays while a first-degree relative receives medical treatment more than 50 miles from home. Restrictions apply.

One-time Emergency $5,000 Housing Assistance – Each Cowlitz Tribal member is eligible for once in lifetime assistance with emergency repairs up to $5,000. Assistance may also be used for other housing emergencies on a case-by-case basis.

Required documentation:

• Tribal ID
• A detailed statement describing the emergency. Member must demonstrate an urgent need.
• Additional documentation may be requested.

APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED IN THE ORDER RECEIVED.

Aging in Place - Download Application  |  Download Cover Letter
 

Cowlitz tribal elders 62+ living anywhere in the United States are eligible each year to receive assistance with taxes, insurance and repairs to help them remain in their homes. Repair requests must be related to keeping them in their home. Assistance can pay property taxes, home insurance, homeowners association dues and some home repairs. Restrictions apply.

Eligibility

• Cowlitz Tribal member
• Homeowners or renters with a need that will keep them in their home. If renting, landlord must agree to terms.
• Must be 62 or older
• Must be below 150% median income per current Hud guidelines -  Income Limits | HUD USER

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Proof of income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)
• Proof of homeownership or current lease
• Documentation relating to your request.
• If you are requesting taxes, please provide tax statement in addition to your mortgage statement. Current insurance statement, etc.
• Identify your request in detail and provide associated documents.

If you have any questions about this program, please call housing.

Student Rental Assistance - Download Application | Unit Information Form
 

This program supports low to moderate-income Tribal members living anywhere in the United States attending post-secondary educational institutions by providing rental assistance.

Eligible students may receive rental assistance paid directly to the landlord.

Independent students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Are 24 or older by January 1 of the year they applied.
• Married or separated but not divorced as of the date of the application.
• At the beginning of the school year, the student will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program such as MA, MBA, MD, PHD or graduate certificate).
• Student is currently serving on active duty in the US Armed forces or is in the National Guard or Reserves, called into duty.
• Student is a veteran of the US Armed forces.
• Student has dependents other than children or spouse that live with them who receive more than half of their support from the student.
• At any time when the student was age 13 or older both of the student’s parents were deceased, the student was in foster care, or the student was a dependent/ward of the court.
• The student is now or was upon reaching the age of majority, an emancipated minor (released from control by his or her parent or guardian) as determined by a court in his or her state of legal residence.
• The student is now or was upon reaching the age of majority, in legal guardianship as a determined by a court in his or her state of legal residence.
• Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth, homeless or at risk of being homeless (additional information required).

In addition to the criteria above, the student filed a tax return with the IRS that confirms the student has not been claimed on any other tax return for the previous year. If the student did not file a tax return for the previous year, the student’s parents or legal guardians must provide their tax return to confirm the student was not claimed as a dependent.

Independent students must submit their own financial information, including any financial aid. If they have no income a zero-income statement and budget must be provided.

Dependent students: must submit their parents’ tax returns. CITH will offset housing costs by deducting the parents mortgage or rent from income, medical expenses, and travel if evidence is provided.

Eligibility Rules

• Must be enrolled Cowlitz
• Must be enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary school in the United States
• Must be below 150% median income level.  Income Limits | HUD USER Note: Parents income is used if student doesn’t meet independent student status.
• Must maintain a GPA must be 2.0 or higher
• Must apply annually. Applications are due yearly before every academic year
• *Grades and enrollment verification must be sent in before every term.
• Must contribute up to 30% of adjusted gross income towards rent (varies by program)

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Proof of income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)
• Proof of enrollment in school
• School housing agreement/statement or lease
• If in a dorm an itemized statement is required.
• Completed FAFSA form
• W9

Dependent Students:

• Parents’ tax return for previous year
• Parents housing statement if applicable
• Additional documents may be requested

*Grades will be due at the end of each term. If you do not provide grades within 30 days of the new term, your rental assistance will be terminated. If you fail to provide grades at all, you will be responsible for paying back all assistance for the previous term.

If student fails to meet GPA requirements they will be put on probation for the next term. If they fail the next term, drop out or do not meet full time status, they will be in default of the program and will be required to pay back any rental assistance for that term. If CITH does not receive grades for the term, it will be considered default.

Elder Rental Assistance - Download Application | Unit Information Form | Checklist
 

This program supports low-income Tribal member elders 62+ living anywhere in the United States by providing rental assistance. To be eligible for this program, members income must fall below 80% of the area median income. Program participants are required to contribute up to 30% of their income towards their monthly rent. (if applicable)

Eligibility Rules

• Must be below 80% median income level -  Income Limits | HUD USER
• Must be 62 years or older
• Applications are in effect for one year or as funding is available.
• A passed inspection is required each year.
• Rent must be within fair market guidelines
• Member must pay up to 30% of their adjusted gross income (varies by program)

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Social Security Card or current statement
• Proof of current income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)
• Current signed lease
• W9 provided by landlord
• Additional documentation may be required upon request

Disabled Rental Assistance - Download Application | Unit Information Form | Checklist

This program supports low income disabled Tribal members living anywhere in the United States by providing rental assistance. To be eligible for this program income must fall below 80% of the area median income. Program participants are required to contribute up to 30% of their income towards their monthly rent. (if applicable)

Eligibility Rules

• Must be below 80% median income level -  Income Limits | HUD USER
• Social Security Disability statement
• Applications are in effect for one year or as funding is available.
• A passed inspection is required each year.
• Rent must be within fair market guidelines
• Member must pay up to 30% of their adjusted gross income (varies by program)

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Proof of current income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)
• Lease or Rental agreement documentation
• Current Social Security Statement to document disability
• W9 from the landlord
• Additional documentation may be required upon request

Standard Rental Assistance - Download Application | Unit Information Form | Checklist

This program supports low-income Tribal members living anywhere in the United States by providing temporary rental assistance to help with their monthly rent.

This program provides 1 to 6 months of assistance per year.

To qualify for this program, you must meet program requirements.

Program is only available if no other assistance is used for rent in the 6 months prior.

Applicants must be below 80% of the median income level for their area. Program participants are required to contribute up to 30% of their income towards their monthly rent. (varies by program)
 

Eligibility Rules

• Must be below 80% median income level -  Income Limits | HUD USER
• Must contribute up to 30% of adjusted gross income towards rent (varies by program)
• Applicant must not receive rental assistance 6 months prior to participating in this program.
• Rental must pass inspection
• Rent and occupancy must be within current fair market guidelines.
• Member was qualified to enter into the lease without CITH assistance.

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Social security card (copy)
• Proof of current income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)
• Lease or rental agreement documentation
• W9 from landlord
• Additional documentation may be required

This program is a temporary program available to members up to 6 months a year who meet the following needs requirement:

• Full-time income falls below the 80% median Income level for their family size.
• A circumstantial hardship has affected their monthly income.

This program was not intended to be the only source of rental payment. If member has no income additional information will be required.

Saint Mary’s Apartments - Download Application

St Mary’s consists of 30 units comprised of studios and one-bedroom apartments available to Native American’s 62 and older. To be eligible for this program, members must have an adjusted gross income below 80% of the area median income. Residents must contribute up to 30% of their income towards rent (varies by program and apartment). A preference is given to Cowlitz tribal members.
 

Eligibility Rules

• Must be enrolled in a federally or state recognized Indian tribe
• Must be below 80% median income level - Income Limits | HUD USER
• Must contribute up to 30% of adjusted gross income towards rent (varies)
• Applications must be renewed and inspected annually
• Member must agree to occupancy rules.
• Member must pass a drug and background screen

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Copy of social security card
• Proof of income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)
• Additional documentation may be requested

St. Mary’s apartments is not an assisted living facility. Members must be capable of living independently. CITH makes no representations of providing additional services or benefits to residents, however there are other programs onsite that may provide meals, activities and a community.

Down Payment Assistance - Download Application

The Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing down payment assistance program is designed to help tribal members become homeowners with up to $35,000 for a down payment on a home. Down payment assistance can’t be used on raw land. Applicant can’t own any other real estate. Funding is limited and all members will be placed on a wait list.
 

Eligibility

• Must be a Cowlitz Tribal member
• Income must be below the 150% median level -  Income Limits | HUD USER
• Must be approved for a loan from an accredited lending institution
• Cannot own any other land or real estate
• Must be used for a primary residence
• Must agree to the Useful Life restriction
• Additional requirements may apply

Required Documents

• Tribal ID
• Social Security card (copy)
• Proof of income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc.)
• Copy of pre-approval letter
• Additional documentation will be required once you have made an offer on a home.

Down payment assistance is a forgivable loan. Restrictions apply

Well and Septic Assistance - Scattered Sites Brochure  | Download Scattered Sites Application
 

The housing department facilitates paperwork for every tribal member to receive once in a lifetime assistance for a well or septic up to $20,000. Available for any enrolled native American residing in Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.

Eligibility

• Enrolled Native American Tribal
• Must be a homeowner

Required Documents

• Tribal ID

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State Home Electrification & Appliance Rebate Program (HEAR) - Download Application

Please return all completed applications to: HEAR@cowlitz.org 

This program is designed to provide Energy Star Certified Dryers and Stoves to homeowners of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.

Eligibility:

• Must reside in the Western Washington Counties specified in the map below
• Must be within 150% median income range -  Income Limits | HUD USER
• Must select from the product selection list

Required documents:

• Tribal ID
• Proof of income (i.e. Tax return, paystubs, social security statement, etc)

Appliances will be delivered to the member’s home. Member is required to place an identification sticker on the appliance, take a photo and send it to CITH. 

Additional requirements may apply. Please reach out to housing at HEAR@Cowlitz.org for more information.

OPTIONS INCLUDE:

Energy Star Certified Stoves

• GE 30 in 5-burner | Model # PB900YVFS
• GE 30 in  | Model # GRS600AVFS

Black or stainless steel

Energy Star Certified Dryers

• Whirlpool 7.4 cu. ft. | Model # WED560LHW White
• GE 7.8 cu ft. | Model # PTD60EBPRDG White or black

Please return all completed applications to: HEAR@cowlitz.org 

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* How do I know if I qualify?  HUD income limits are updated yearly.  You can see if you may qualify by clicking on the link and selecting your state and county.  Locate your household size for the 80% income limit category or if the program goes up to 150% median income, you may use the same instructions by multiplying the 50% income limit category by 3.  
 

Hud Income Requirements:

 Income Limits | HUD USER

Hud Fair Market Rent requirements:

Fair Market Rents (40th PERCENTILE RENTS) | HUD USER

Due to limited funding CITH will be implementing a wait list for all programs.

PLEASE NOTE: Policies are subject to change and may affect program requirements. Additional documentation such as bank statements and social security statements, may be required.

Members with insufficient income or zero income will be required to provide additional documentation.

All applications will be processed in the order received, with a Cowlitz tribal preference.