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Native America Calling: Tribal housing advocates work against a tide of obstacles
Monday, October 6, 2025

Tribal housing advocates work against a tide of obstacles
Someone looking to move to any of the Native American reservations in Montana will have a hard time finding a home.

A three-part series by the Montana Free Press finds there is a chronic shortage of housing on Native land caused by confusing land ownership frameworks, hurdles for conventional financing, and a lack of infrastructure. The government shutdown, funding cuts, and other changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could only exacerbate the struggle Native people have for finding homes. Native people typically have the worst housing needs in the country.

Tune in to hear about the problems facing Native homeowners and some of the innovative ways tribes are working to solve them.

Flathead Reservation
A sign on the Flathead Reservation in Montana, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Photo: Ken Lund

Guests on Native America Calling
Rudy Soto (Shoshone-Bannock), executive director for National American Indian Housing Council

Jody Perez (Salish and Kootenai), executive director of the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana

Nora Mabie, Indigenous affairs reporter with Montana Free Press

Christine De Los Santos, executive director of the Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority in California

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