Housing Department

Since its inception in 1978, formerly, the Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing Authority has built nearly 150 units of affordable housing, of which about 1/3 have been conveyed into private ownership by Tribal members on Indian Island.  The Housing Authority has since re-organized (in 2000) to become the Penobscot Nation Housing Department which is now part of Tribal Government responsible for providing safe and affordable housing to over 200 Tribal Members.  Funding for the Housing Department comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA).  This federal grant program funding authorized under NAHASDA is ‘via’ the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), the primary means by which the federal government fulfills its trust responsibilities for housing to Penobscot Tribal members.  The program is designed for affordable housing activities (i.e. build new homes, rehabilitate existing homes) and other assistance for low-income Tribal members.

Today, the Housing Department manages 45 single family homes and 4 multi-family apartment buildings with a total of 50 units of living space for income eligible Tribal Members.  With a dedicated staff of 8 personnel, we look forward to providing affordable, safe homes.  Eligible Tribal members may apply for single bedroom up to 4-bedroom homes.  We also have designated elderly/senior and disabled units. Applications are as follows: 

• Low Rent & Elderly or Disabled Application;
• Low Income Tax Credit Penobscot Elder Building Application;
• Wenonas Place Application for Housing

The Housing Department also provides assistance for income eligible Tribal Members for the following Programs:

• Down Payment Assistance Program – downpayment and closing costs associated with the purchase of a new home;
• Housing Assistance ‘aka’ Home Improvement Program (HIP) – emergency repairs for private homeowners upto a certain threshold;
• Emergency Rental Assistance Program – onetime/lifetime support for Tribal members for costs associated with renting a home;

Through partnerships the with other departments, the Housing Department has also been instrumental in fighting crime, supporting youth programs, providing essential community facilities (i.e. boardwalk, cultural grounds, boat landing, etc.), and assisting the elderly.

These services are focused primarily on Penobscot Tribal lands, and Penobscot County.   

 

CONTACT METHODS TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE

MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 8 AM TO 4:30 PM

Lisa Pardilla, Housing Secretary

Office Phone:  207.817.7370

Email: Lisa.Pardilla (at) penobscotnation.org

Leave your name, address, and a short description of the emergency. If NOT an emergency, please note this in your contact with us, and we will record your request and follow up when things return to normal.

NIGHT AND WEEKEND CONTACT

If an emergency can’t wait to contact us during normal business hours, please contact the Penobscot Nation Police Dispatch at 207.817.7358. 

OFFICE HOURS

HOUSING BUISNESS HOURS

• Monday – 8:00 to 4:30
• Tuesday – 8:00 to 4:30
• Wednesday – 8:00 to 4:30
• Thursday – 8:00 to 4:30
• Friday – 8:00 – 12:00*

*Closed early for admin processing time.

OFFICE CLOSED DAILY FROM 12:00 TO 1:00 DAILY FOR LUNCH.  

***RENT PAYMENTS AFTER 4PM, MUST EITHER BE DEPOSITED IN THE DROPBOX OR BROUGHT IN THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.***