THE INDIGENOUS HOMEBUILDING INDUSTRY CANNOT GROW AND PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED HOUSING TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WITHOUT A SKILLED WORKFORCE. AS THE LEAD FOR THE BUILDING JOBS, BUILDING HOMES PROJECT, LAKOTA FUNDS - A NATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI) - WILL ADDRESS A SEVERE HOUSING SHORTAGE ON TRIBAL LANDS (ACROSS NINE RESERVATIONS) BY TRAINING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN CONSTRUCTION TRADES AND AS CERTIFIED APPRAISERS AND INSPECTORS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, LAKOTA FUNDS WILL IMPLEMENT A CERTIFIED APPRAISER PROGRAM, ADDRESSING A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER TO HOUSING CONSTRUCTION ON TRIBAL LANDS. TO SUPPORT THIS DISTRESSED POPULATION, LAKOTA FUNDS WILL PROVIDE A VARIETY OF WRAPAROUND SERVICES DURING TRAINING.