New law targets mortgage delays on Tribal Trust land

WASHINGTON — Tribal housing leaders say a newly signed federal law aimed at reducing mortgage delays on Tribal trust land marks one of the most significant policy shifts for Native homeownership in years. President Donald Trump signed the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 on May 4 after the bipartisan measure cleared Congress with broad support.

The law, led by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R S.D.) and Sens. John Thune (R S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R S.D.), establishes enforceable timelines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mortgage review process and creates a realty ombudsman to improve communication between Tribes, lenders, and federal agencies.

For many in Indian Country, the reforms address a long-standing barrier that has stalled homeownership for generations.

“For too long, Native families have been forced to wait in uncertainty,” said Sharon Vogel, chair of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition and executive director of the Cheyenne River Housing Authority. “People would complete every step of the mortgage process and then sit for months waiting on a signature. This law finally acknowledges that our families deserve timely, predictable decisions.”

Vogel, a longtime advocate for Tribal housing reform, was formally recognized by national housing leaders for her role in advancing the legislation. The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) credited her persistence and coalition building as instrumental in pushing the bill across the finish line.

“Sharon’s leadership was essential,” said Rudy Soto, NAIHC’s executive director. “She kept this issue in front of Congress year after year. Her advocacy helped ensure that Native homebuyers and veterans will no longer be held back by bureaucratic delays.”

Johnson said the measure brings long needed accountability to the BIA’s mortgage review system.

“This is about fairness,” Johnson said in a statement. “Native families shouldn’t lose out on homeownership because of outdated processes. These reforms will help streamline the system and support stronger Tribal communities.”

Thune called the bill “a practical fix that will have real impact,” while Rounds said the law “gives Native families a clearer path to building equity and stability.”

Housing officials say the BIA’s slow and inconsistent review process has been one of the most persistent designed obstacles to mortgage lending on trust land, where federal approval is required. The new law requires the agency to meet specific deadlines and report on its progress.

Soto said the measure is a meaningful step but emphasized that broader reforms are still needed, including long-awaited modernization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act.

“This is a victory, but it’s not the end of the work,” Soto said. “We’re committed to continuing the momentum and ensuring Tribal housing is fully included in the national housing agenda.”

For families living on Tribal trust land, advocates say the law could translate into more predictable timelines, more completed mortgages, and more Native homeowners.

“Homeownership strengthens our communities,” Vogel said. “This law helps make that possible.”

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hopa at editor@nativesunnews,today)

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