HUD Section 184 Home Loans
Learn the program, estimate your payment, see how much home you may be able to afford, and connect with a mortgage specialist who understands Section 184.
Interactive tools
Use the payment calculator for a specific home price, or switch to Buying Power to estimate a purchase price from your income and monthly debts.
Illustration only. Rates, taxes, insurance, loan limits, fees and qualification vary. The 1% upfront guarantee fee may be financed, subject to program rules.
Buying power is a simplified estimate, not an underwriting decision. Actual qualifying debt-to-income limits and income treatment vary by file.
Section 184 explained simply
HUD's Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program was created to improve access to mortgage financing for eligible Native American and Alaska Native borrowers and communities.
Watch and learn
A short walkthrough of what the program is, who it is for, and what the steps look like — for anyone who would rather watch than read.
Why Borrowers Consider Section 184
A federal loan program designed specifically for Native American homeownership — with terms no conventional loan can match.
Only 2.25% down on loans over $50K.
Manual underwriting allows a more personal review of the borrower's full financial picture.
For loans closed on or after July 1st, 2023, there is no annual loan guarantee fee.
Eligible uses include buying an existing home, refinancing, new construction, and rehabilitation.
Who may qualify
Individual borrower eligibility generally begins with tribal enrollment or other qualifying status recognized by the program.
For individual borrowers, Section 184 is generally intended for an owner-occupied primary residence.
Program availability varies by state, participating tribe and property location.
Your loan officer will review qualifying income, debts, credit profile, assets and the property as part of the approval process.
How it works
A clean, five-step path keeps the process from feeling overwhelming.
Discuss your goals, timeline, tribal enrollment and property plans.
Confirm the borrower and property appear to fit Section 184 requirements.
Review income, credit, debts, assets and estimated purchasing power.
Submit the full application, property documentation and required program items.
Complete final approval, sign loan documents and move toward homeownership.
At-a-glance comparison
This comparison is intentionally simple. A loan officer should compare the actual numbers for your situation.
| Feature | HUD Section 184 | Traditional FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 2.25% over $50,000 | Often 3.5% | Varies, often 3%–5%+ |
| Monthly mortgage / guarantee fee | 0% annual guarantee fee* | Generally monthly MIP | PMI may apply below 20% down |
| Upfront program fee | 1% guarantee fee* | Upfront MIP generally applies | No government upfront insurance fee |
| Native land options | Designed for eligible Native lending | Property-specific restrictions may apply | Often more limited on trust land |
| Occupancy | Primary residence for individual borrowers | Primary residence | Program dependent |
Program terms change and product availability varies. This chart is educational only and is not a loan estimate or commitment to lend.
Frequently asked questions
It is a federal loan guarantee program created to improve mortgage access for eligible Native American and Alaska Native borrowers and communities. Approved lenders originate the loans and HUD provides the guarantee.
HUD currently lists a minimum required investment of 2.25% on loans over $50,000 and 1.25% on loans at or below $50,000, subject to program requirements.
The Section 184 annual loan guarantee fee is currently 0% for eligible loans closed on or after July 1, 2023. A 1% upfront loan guarantee fee currently applies and may generally be financed.
Yes. Section 184 may be available on fee-simple property as well as eligible tribal trust or allotted trust land, but the property must be located in an eligible program area.
The program can support eligible new construction and rehabilitation transactions. Construction requirements and property approvals are more detailed than a standard existing-home purchase.
No. Section 184 is not limited only to first-time buyers, though individual borrower and property eligibility rules still apply.
Start with a conversation. We can help you understand eligibility, estimate the numbers and map out the next step before you commit to anything.
Get started
We'll use this information to point you in the right direction. No pressure and no obligation to move forward.
