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Panelists warn CDFI Fund staffing losses could stall awards and jeopardize leveraged investments
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Summary
Speakers at an NCAI–NAIHC webinar said termination notices at the Treasury's CDFI Fund risk interrupting awards and technical assistance to Native CDFIs, which could jeopardize $63 million in federal funding and $500 million in leveraged private investment.
Speakers at a joint webinar on Native housing warned that staffing changes at the Treasury CDFI Fund could interrupt awards and technical assistance that Native CDFIs rely on to unlock financing for homeownership and development.
Blythe McWhorter told attendees that the CDFI Fund had issued termination notices effective Dec. 13 and that, "with no staff at the CDFI Fund, that's jeopardizing $63,000,000 in federal funding, and $500,000,000 in leveraged private investment, that is at risk." Panelists said those resources and the technical support native CDFIs receive are critical to channel private capital into tribal homeownership and development projects.
The presenters urged tribal stakeholders and allies to press Congress and the Treasury to protect CDFI Fund staffing and to preserve funding streams that support native-led community development financial institutions. They noted related federal programs — including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the Housing Assistance Fund created during the pandemic, and SSBCI tribal allocations — interact with CDFI‑supported lending and technical assistance.
Speakers cautioned that while some routine disbursements may continue during a shutdown, selections and staffing‑dependent processes could stop or slow; they recommended monitoring Treasury notices and participating in coordinated advocacy to protect program continuity.
