Yreka Office

1836 Apsuun
Yreka, CA 96097
(530)842-1644
FAX (530) 842-1646

Mission of the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority will acquire and maintain assets.  KTHA will strive to alleviate the acute shortage of decent, safe and sanitary dwellings for Native American persons of low and moderate income.  KTHA will promote and sustain the culture, education, language, health, welfare, self-sufficiency, and economic independence of its residents.  Affordable housing services shall include rental, home ownership, and model programs.

FY2024 Annual Performance Report Public Comments

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority has prepared its Annual Performance Report (APR) for submission to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for funds received under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA).

Constructive public comments from community members, in writing, are welcomed.  All comments must be RECEIVED by 5pm, Friday, December 20 in order to be considered.

A copy of the APR is available HERE.

Written comments/suggestions may be submitted using the Comment Form to Sara Spence, Executive Director as follows:

Email to: sspence@karuk.us 

Mail to: Sara Spence at PO Box 1159, Happy Camp, CA  96039

Hand Deliver to: Sara Spence at 635 Jacobs Way, Happy Camp, CA  96039

2024 Bureau of Indian Affairs, Home Improvement Program

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (KTHA) will be accepting applications for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Housing Improvement Program (HIP) until December 15, 2024. The Housing Improvement Program is a home: repair, renovation, replacement and new housing grant program, this is NOT the KTHA Home Replacement Program, it is a separate program with funding from the BIA.  KTHA administers projects approved by BIA.

To be eligible for the HIP assistance: you must be a member of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or be an Alaska Native, live in an approved tribal service area, have an income that does not exceed 150% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Poverty Guidelines (below), current residence must be in substandard condition, as defined by the regulations and without other immediate resource(s) for housing assistance. 

For more information on the BIA Housing Improvement Program contact Samantha White, at the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (530) 493-1414 extension 3108 or via email smwhite@karuk.us 

BIA HIP Application and Instructions

BIA HIP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Student Rent Voucher Program, NEW for 2024-25 School Year!!!

Click here to download the current Student Rent Voucher Program Application

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (KTHA) Student Rent Voucher (SRV) Program provides rental assistance to income eligible, Enrolled Karuk Tribal Members, attending college or vocational school full-time (12 units). Assistance is based on the household’s total income for a 10-month period (August-May), or a school year maximum of $5,000, whichever comes first. Please keep in mind, students may be responsible for their first month rent if there are delays in submitting documentation.

NEW!!!  For the first time, the 2024-25 KTHA Student Rent Voucher Program will be available to income eligible, Enrolled Karuk Descendants, residing in the KTHA Service Area (all of Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties), who are attending college or vocational school full time!

Applications are due by July 31 and students must re-apply each school year.  Students who do not meet the July 31 deadline, may still apply for partial school-year assistance. If you are eligible, assistance will begin the first of the month following the date your application is complete and approved by the KTHA Board of Commissioners, based on availability of funds, so please apply as early as possible.

For more information on this program contact Samantha White at (800) 50-KARUK or (530) 493-1414, Extension 3108 or email smwhite@karuk.us

Click here to download the current Student Rent Voucher Program Policy

COVID-19 HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE FUND (HAF)

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (KTHA) has not yet begun the Homeowner's Assistance Fund (HAF) Program.  As soon as the program is open, the policies and application forms will be posted here.

Programs Offered 

The Karuk Tribe Housing Authority offers Low Income and Elder Rental Units in Yreka, Happy Camp, and Orleans to income eligible Tribal individuals and families.  KTHA also offers the following assistance to income eligible Karuk Tribal Members, residing in the KTHA Service Area (Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties): Down Payment Assistance Grants, Mortgage Relief Grants, Student Rent Vouchers, Elder Rent Vouchers, and Temporary Rent Vouchers, Home Replacement Grants, Home Rehabilitation & Weatherization Grants and Loans, and Home Improvement Loans. 

Click here to download the current KTHA Brochure

Application Processing

Samantha White, Admissions/Loan Specialist, receives and processes ALL applications for KTHA assistance.  We encourage Tribal Members who have any unmet housing needs to SUBMIT AN APPLICATION!  The income limits that determine eligibility are not as low as you may think; many working families are still at or below 80% of US Median Family Income Limits set by HUD.  Samantha can be reached at (800) 250-5811, Extension 3108 or smwhite@karuk.us 

Click here to download the current KTHA Application Packet

We remind all applicants that a current, complete, application is required in order to determine eligibility for KTHA assistance.  Please be patient as you go through the application process and understand that everyone’s experience will be unique.  There is a checklist on the application listing mandatory items that must be included; however additional documents will be requested depending on your individual circumstances.  All applicants will be notified if there is missing documentation, or if additional information is needed, in order to continue processing the application, as well as when the application is deemed complete.  Processing times are different depending on the program applied for due to the necessary documentation, research, and third party verifications required for each program.

Waiting List and Offers 

All offers for KTHA units are made from the Waiting List based on the preference points assigned.  Points cannot be assigned without appropriate documentation and verifications, which is why additional information will often be requested during the application process.  It is a requirement that applications are kept current, and updated at least annually.  Because most changes will have an effect on preference points, applicants MUST submit ALL changes using the Information Update Form.  Examples of information to report include but are not limited to: address and phone number changes, income changes, household size changes due to marriage, divorce, birth, death, or custody orders, employment status changes such as schedule changes, employer changes, becoming a full time student or changing an existing student class schedule, etc.

Click here to download the current KTHA Information Update Packet

Unfortunately, KTHA cannot tell applicants where they are at on the Waiting List other than that they are, or are not, in the Top Ten for an offer, should an appropriately sized unit become available.  Once an application is complete, and you have been added to the waiting list, the only thing you need to do is report changes that occur, and keep your information current.

We understand the frustration that applicants encounter with the length of time they have been on the waiting list without an offer and the best advice we can offer, is to focus their efforts during that time on actions that can result in raising the number of points they have.  Some examples are gaining, and maintaining, full or part time employment, enrolling in school as a full time student carrying 12 units, etc.

We encourage all applicants to ask questions.  We want to ensure you understand the process.  If it weren’t for you, we would not exist to provide this valuable service!  We continuously have over 600 households on our waiting list and look forward to the day when adequate funding is provided to serve all eligible households, but until that day arrives, we have to continue working within our funding constraints.

Policies and Procedures of the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority

The link below will take you to a new page with the policies and procedures for the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority. 

KTHA Policies and Procedures

Disclosure:  The version of the policy on this website may not always be the most current as website updates may not always coincide with policy updates that have been approved but not yet uploaded.

Board Meetings

The Board of Commissioners meets twice each month, the meeting location rotates between the housing communities of Yreka, Happy Camp, and Orleans.  The Tenant Meeting, usually held the first Monday of each month, is open to the public.  The Director Meeting, is a closed meeting. 

In accordance with Chapter 12 Grievance Procedures, prior to submitting a request to the BOC, ensure all Tenant Matters have been through all levels of appeal as outlined in this Flowchart.  Failure to do so, will result in your request being tabled or returned to staff for review.

To request to be added to the agenda, submit an Agenda Request to:

Sara Spence, Executive Director at sspence@karuk.us -or- Ann Escobar, Assistant Director/Operations Manager at aescobar@karuk.us -or- Felicia Wolfenden, Executive Assistant at fwolfenden@karuk.us

2024 Meeting Dates

NOTE: All meetings begin at 10am and rotate between the communities.

January 8 - Orleans

February 12 - Yreka

March 4 - Happy Camp

April 1 - Orleans

May 6 - Yreka

June 3 - Happy Camp

July 1 - Orleans

August 5 - Yreka

September 9 - Happy Camp

October 7 - Orleans

November 4 - Yreka

December 16 - Happy Camp

Board of Commissioners

In accordance with the Karuk Tribe's Housing Ordinance, the Board of Commissioners is comprised of seven Enrolled Karuk Tribal Members appointed by the Tribal Council, two of which shall be currently seated Tribal Council Members.

Kenneth Brink                                           Wilverna Reece                                    Deborah Whitman

Chairman                                                   Commissioner                                       Commissioner

Happy Camp                                              Orleans                                                  Yreka

Dolores Voyles                                    Charlene Naef                                          Arch Super

Commissioner                                    Secretary                                                  Council Housing Liaison

Happy Camp                                      Orleans                                                     Yreka

Sherile Grant

Treasurer

Yreka