New house exterior

About Us

Across the Great Plains, Native communities are building a future grounded in self-determination, financial sustainability, and cultural strength. Communities where safe, affordable homes are a foundation for thriving families.

Yet housing development on Tribal land remains complex. Limited capital, infrastructure gaps, and layered land policies have slowed progress. The Great Plains Housing Initiative (GPHI) is a Native-led nonprofit that helps local developers navigate these challenges.

Founded in 2024 by the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition with support from Wells Fargo’s Invest Native initiative, GPHI works alongside Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) and other local Native institutions to overcome barriers and expand access to financially sustainable, affordable housing.

Partners with Purpose

GPHI helps our local partners move from idea to action, aligning resources, designing solutions, and supporting long-term success.

Our team’s passion runs deeper than housing. We’re in this work to ensure Native communities have the right tools needed to shape our own future, economically, culturally, and for generations to come.

Mission

We increase housing opportunities for Native people through innovative and sustainable development and financing strategies.

Vision

We envision a future that fosters economic development and sustainable housing markets where Native people have access to quality housing that enables families to thrive physically, economically, and culturally for generations to come.

Values

Innovation. We rethink traditional models to provide solutions to community housing challenges.

Collaboration. We foster strong cooperative relationships to achieve shared goals.

Integrity. We commit to doing what is right for our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

brown house people in front of house construction

GPHI’s focus

Design housing solutions

Increase housing stock

Promote Native homeownership

Leverage housing financing resources

Introduce new capital for local lenders

GPHI Board of Directors