American Indians in Urban Areas Experience Disproportionate Housing Challenges

A recent HUD report, Housing Needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives Living in Urban Areas, finds American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) in metropolitan areas have a higher incidence of housing cost burdens, overcrowding, and other housing problems than the general metropolitan population. The report is based on interviews with staff from social service organizations serving the AIAN population and analysis of data from the decennial census, the American Community Survey (ACS), and the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). And it is one of five reports based on a congressionally mandated assessment of AIAN housing needs conducted between 2011 and 2016.

The study stated that 65 percent of AIAN individuals live in metropolitan areas, but few housing services are targeted to them. The study examined housing conditions of AIAN households in 24 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). In the median MSA, 43 percent of AIAN households were cost-burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing and utilities, compared to 37 percent of all households. AIAN households in the sample MSAs were also more likely than all households to live in overcrowded housing with more than one occupant per room.

The AIAN population was also disproportionately disadvantaged economically and educationally compared with the general population in the 24 MSAs. In the average MSA, the AIAN population had lower household income ($53,000 compared to $80,000), a higher poverty rate, lower rates of employment, and lower educational attainment.