TMB Assistance Programs

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Down Payment Assistance

The Down Payment Assistance Program offers Gun Lake Tribal Citizens the opportunity to receive a matching award, up to $10,000, towards down payment and closing costs when purchasing a primary residence, refinance or principal paydown of a home. The Down Payment Assistance Program is a great opportunity for our Tribal Citizens to obtain their goal/dream of Homeownership while helping to create economic self-sufficiency, build wealth and equity.

Structure: The Tribal Member Benefits Department will match the Applicant’s contribution, dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum of $6,999. If the Applicant contributes $7,000, the Department will award an additional $3,000 for a total benefit of $10,000.

Program Requirements

  • Applicants must be a Gun Lake Tribal Citizen
  • Must complete a Homebuyer Education Class in person or virtually, facilitated or approved by the Tribal Member Benefits Department. Benefit can only be applied to a primary residence
  • The mortgage loan amount combined with any Down Payment assistance cannot exceed 100% of the appraised value of the property
  • The property must be zoned for residential use, wood-frame and/or other approved construction type, and meet the Department’s inspection requirements
  • Have a debt-to-income ratio, including housing cost, less than 41% of the Applicant’s income
  • Shall not be eligible for any other assistance program for a five-year period, with the exception of the Sewer/Sanitation Program
  • All funds must be used for down payment and closing costs, no funds can be returned at closing
  • Provide a copy of the Warranty Deed and Closing Disclosure from closing documents within thirty days

Forms

Housing Improvement Program

The Housing Improvement Program provides funding of  up to $10,000, to apply toward home repairs in order to create a safe and healthy housing environment.  Improvements are prioritized to address repairs in order of importance; emergent, health & safety, major mechanicals, special needs, weatherization, energy efficiency and minor repairs. 

Structure: The applicant will submit an application that contains a list of desired improvements they would like to perform on their primary residence. Once approved, funds will be allocated based upon the priorities determined by the Housing Committee. Priority will be placed on improvements that affect the overall safety and soundness of the home.

The projects will be prioritized as follows:

  1. Emergent Home Improvement Needs
  2. Lead, Asbestos and Radon Abatement Needs (if applicable)
  3. Major General Building
  4. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
  5. Special Needs Modifications
  6. Weatherization
  7. Energy Efficiency or Green Project
  8. Minor General Building and Other

Program Requirements

  • Applicants must be a Gun Lake Tribal Citizen.
  • The home must be owned by the Applicant and be the primary residence for the Tribal Citizen.
  • Home must be located within the five-county Service Area or otherwise approved by the Housing Committee.
  • Provide proof of ownership, homeowners insurance, show that mortgage payments are current and that property taxes are paid in full.

Forms

Settlement

The Settlement offers rental housing to Tribal Citizens, and provides a healthy, safe, and clean environment. There is a total of 17 rental homes that Tribal Citizens may Lease on an annual basis. The houses are constructed with safety features such as emergency shelters, walk/roll in showers and open floor plans with generous door openings.

Structure:  The Settlement offers two (2), three (3), four (4) and five (5) bedroom homes, ranging from 1,300 to nearly 3,000 square feet, with rental rates from $850 – $1,300 per month. If no vacancy exists, then applicants will be placed on a waiting list with priority given to Elder Households.  

Program Requirements

  • Must be a Gun Lake Tribal Citizen
  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must pass a criminal background check

Forms

Water Sewer Sanitation Program

The Water & Sewer Sanitation Improvement Program. provides a ONE-TIME replacement of outdated or malfunctioning well and/or septic system, connection to municipal water or sewer system or install a new well and/or septic system into a newly built home.

Please note that this program is not administrated by the Gun Lake Tribe, the Tribe facilitates the application process.  It can take up to ninety (90) days for approval and planning for use of the program will need to be done accordingly.

Structure:  When an applicant has obtained the necessary permits, has submitted the required documents including three (3) bids to include prevailing wages, and approval has been granted, the Tribal Member Benefits Department (TMB) will work with IHS to perform the required work .

Program Requirements

  • Applicants must be a Gun Lake Tribal Citizen
  • Reside in the five-county service area
  • Property must be titled in the Applicant’s name and be owned on fee simple land
  • Must be the primary residence of the Applicant
  • Property must successfully pass an Environmental Review
  • Applicant will acquire the necessary permits and other documentation necessary
  • Solicit a minimum of three (3) project bids to include prevailing wages
  • One-time use

Forms

Individual Development Account (IDA) 

An IDA is an Individual Development Account which is a matched savings program that helps youth in Middle and High School save money for a qualified purchase. For every $1 saved, the IDA Program will match up to $3 and funds can be used for a qualified purchase. There are currently three purchases that qualify for matching funds: Education, Vehicle and Small Business.  

Requirements

  • Agree to save a minimum of $25.00 per month based on savings from earned income, gifts received, participation in Tribal activities or referring another Tribal Citizen
  • Complete Financial Education classes
  • Agree to review and, if necessary, address any issues that would inhibit your financial success and completing your qualified purchase
  • Abide by the Program's rules and responsibilities as described by program staff and in the written materials received

Forms

Estate Planning

Planning for Your Peace of Mind

The Tribal Member Benefits (TMB) Department offers Estate Planning Services for Tribal Citizens. The Tribe has partnered with  Attorney’s to offer these services at no out of pocket cost to you. The goal of this program is to provide the opportunity for Citizens to receive the following Estate Planning documents:  Will, Patient Advocate Designation and Financial Power of Attorney. Additional estate planning documents that are offered are a Trust, Quit Claim Deed and Lady Bird Deed.

Below is a brief definition of the services offered:

A Will or testament is a legal document by which a person, the testator, expresses their wishes as to how their property is to be distributed at death and names one or more persons, the executor, to manage the estate until its final distribution.

A Patient Advocate helps patients communicate with their healthcare providers so they get the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Patient advocates may also help patients set up appointments for doctor visits and medical tests and get financial, legal, and social support. 

The durable Financial Power of Attorney is simply a way to allow someone else to manage your finances in the event that you become incapacitated and are unable to make those decisions yourself. More precisely, it grants someone legal authority to act on your behalf for financial issues.

A Trust is a vehicle to pass assets to a trustee, who in turn holds those assets — in a trust fund — for a third party, such as a beneficiary. Trusts can be an appealing option if your aim is to minimize taxes, protect assets and avoid the probate process. If you create a trust, you also can control how and to whom those assets will be disbursed. A trust can save your beneficiaries from paying estate taxes and court fees, and can protect your assets from beneficiaries’ creditors or from loss through divorce settlements. It also lets you specify where remaining assets should go in the event of a beneficiary’s death. Trusts also allow you to pass on assets quickly and privately by avoiding the public probate process.

A Quitclaim Deed is a legal instrument that is used to transfer interest in real property. The entity transferring its interest is called the grantor, and when the quitclaim deed is properly completed and executed, it transfers any interest the grantor has in the property to a recipient, called the grantee. Estate planning is very complex and is of vital importance. Estate Planning allows Tribal Citizens an effective way to distribute their assets to provide for their loved ones after death. Estate planning often avoids the time and cost of probate, avoids bitter family inheritance fights, names guardians for  minor children or dependent adult, avoids conservatorship upon incapacitation and directs family members and physicians about healthcare decisions if one becomes unable to do so. This program is open to all Tribal Citizens.