About the Tribal Housing and Capacity Building Initiative
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has approximately $27 million to fund two grant programs that are exclusively available to California Native American Tribes and Tribal entities: the Tribal Capacity Building Program and the Tribal Housing Pre-Development Fund. The goal of these two programs is to fund a wide range of activities related to housing development and climate resiliency.
Public Comment and Tribal Consultation Period Open
Based on a series of interviews and engagements with Tribes, SGC has developed Draft Grant Guidelines for both grant programs which are now posted online and available for a 90-day public comment period from Jan. 5, 2026, to April 6, 2026.
The Draft Grant Guidelines outline the goals, processes, and requirements for Tribes to participate in the programs. The public comment period offers Tribes and the public the opportunity to inform the development of the Final Grant Guidelines for both programs. Tribes can also request formal tribal consultation by emailing tribalinfo@sgc.ca.gov.
Draft Guidelines Workshop Series
From January 2026 to March 2026, SGC will be hosting both in-person and virtual workshop to discuss the contents of Draft Guidelines and be available to answer questions and receive feedback to inform the development of both programs. Workshops will be held in partnership with various Tribes and Tribal-serving organizations across the state of California. People from indigenous backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Information and registration will be shared online and via email as it becomes available. Please sign up for email updates!
Virtual Workshops
- March 25, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Workshop and Office Hours hosted by SGC. Register.
In-Person Workshops
- Northern California
- March 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with the Nevada/California Indian Housing Association in and the Department of Housing and Community Development at Hard Rock Casino, Wheatland. Register.
- March 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians in partnership with HCD at Black Oak Casino Resort, Tuolumne. Register.
- Central Coast
- March 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in partnership with the SGC’s Catalyst Convening in Salinas, CA. Register.
- Southern California
- Feb. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in partnership the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Department of Housing and Community Development at Pala Casino Spa Resort, 11154 CA-76, Pala | Register.
Past Workshops
- Jan. 27, 2026, from 10 – 11 a.m. in partnership with the Tribal Energy & Climate Collaborative eXchange (TECC-X).
- Feb. 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with the Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority and the Department of Housing and Community Development at the Consolidated Tribal Health Project, 6991 North State St., Redwood Valley.
- Feb. 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Workshop hosted by Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
About the Tribal Capacity Building Program
The Tribal Capacity Building Program has completed one round of funding awards and is currently in Round 2. The Tribal Capacity Building Program provides funding and technical assistance to California Native American Tribes, enhancing staff capacity to advance Tribes’ housing- and climate-related work. The program funds staff salaries and activities such as planning, securing funding for, and implementing housing projects and related efforts to advance climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
The individual award amount is between $350,000 and $420,000, distributed over a three-year grant term. The total program award amount is $5 million. This is a competitive grant program, and applications will open in May 2026. Both federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes are encouraged to apply. In May 2026, SGC will begin hosting workshops and regular office hours to assist Tribes in applying to either program.
About the Tribal Housing Pre-Development Fund
The Tribal Housing Pre-Development Fund is a grant opportunity that funds pre-development activities related to building affordable housing. These include planning, infrastructure, construction, site preparation, and other activities. The fund’s priority is to increase preparation to build affordable housing and access other state-funded, affordable housing programs.
The maximum award amount is $3 million. This is a non-competitive grant program, and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Both federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes are encouraged to apply. The SGC will provide technical assistance, or assistance applying to the grant program.