West Sacramento, CA — Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and Native Capital Access (NCA) will accept applications for the Tribal Housing Excellence Academy (THE Academy) until September 1, 2016. THE Academy is a three year initiative to apply best practices in leveraging resources historically underutilized by Native communities to increase the number and type of housing units produced on Native lands.

Eight to 10 NAHASDA grantees will be selected to participate. The selected organizations will each send two staff people to five intensive week-long trainings held over 18 months. In addition, each organization will receive individualized technical assistance and coaching for up to 30 months from RCAC, NCA and our consultants, who are experienced in housing development, finance, and organizational management.

An application webinar will be offered July 19 at 11:00 am PDT.

For an application packet, eligibility information and information about the webinar, go HERE, or email Eileen Piekarz at epiekarz@rcac.org; or Dave Castillo at dcastillo@nativecapitalaccess.com.

Founded in 1978, RCAC provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals and visions. RCAC serves rural communities in 13 western states and western Pacific islands. Services are available to communities with populations of fewer than 50,000, other nonprofit groups, Tribal organizations, farmworkers, colonias and other specific populations. RCAC staff provides direct services in collaboration with local and community partnerships in three program areas: affordable housing, environmental services, and lending.