The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee is a HUD-backed mortgage for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. In California, it’s most commonly used on Agua Caliente Band reservation land in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. It requires just 2.25% down, has no monthly PMI, and works on tribal trust land where most conventional lenders won’t lend.
What Is Section 184?
Section 184 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 created a HUD loan guarantee program specifically designed to increase homeownership among Native Americans. The program addresses a structural problem: conventional mortgage underwriting is built around fee-simple land, making it difficult or impossible to finance homes on tribal trust land through normal channels.
By having HUD guarantee Section 184 loans, the program gives participating lenders the security they need to finance homes on Indian land — making the process work for both borrowers and lenders.
Section 184 Eligibility in California
To use Section 184, you must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, or the spouse or eligible dependent of an enrolled member. In California, this includes members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Palm Springs area), as well as hundreds of other federally recognized tribes throughout the state.
Section 184 Loan Terms
- Down payment: 2.25% for loans over $50,000 (1.25% for loans under $50K)
- Upfront guarantee fee: 1.5% of the loan amount (can be financed)
- Annual fee: 0.25% of the outstanding balance — NO monthly PMI
- Credit score: No program minimum; lender discretion (typically 580+)
- Income limits: None
- Loan limits: FHA limits by county — Riverside County: $644,000 (2026)
- Property types: 1–4 unit residential, condos, manufactured on permanent foundation
- Occupancy: Primary residence only
Section 184 in the Coachella Valley
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ 31,500-acre reservation spans Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert. For eligible tribal members buying anywhere on this reservation, Section 184 is almost always the best financing option — better terms than FHA, no monthly PMI, and specifically designed for this type of property.
We handle Section 184 loans and conventional Indian land financing throughout: Palm Springs | Cathedral City | Rancho Mirage | Palm Desert | Desert Hot Springs | Indian Wells
📞 Call: (800) 239-1103 | Cell: (310) 849-9124
Michael G. DiVita, Broker of Record | CA DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655
DiVita Home Finance, Inc. | CA DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700
