Section 184 is a HUD loan guarantee—not simply another name for FHA Section 248.
The programs share a federal housing mission, but they are separate. Getting the program identity right matters for eligibility, fees, geography, underwriting and lender participation.
Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee
HUD's Office of Native American Programs guarantees Section 184 loans for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native borrowers and eligible tribal entities. HUD says the program can be used for purchase, new construction, rehabilitation, purchase-plus-rehabilitation and qualifying refinances on eligible 1–4 unit primary residences.
Current Section 184 features
HUD currently states that Section 184 uses a 1% upfront loan-guarantee fee, which may be financed, and that there has been no annual loan-guarantee fee since July 1, 2023. Fixed-rate terms are 30 years or less; ARMs are not eligible.
Where can Section 184 be used?
It is not limited to trust land. Participating tribes determine eligible Indian/Alaska Native areas, including qualifying fee-simple areas. In June 2026 HUD announced an expansion to 356 counties/cities across six states, making Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New York and Virginia entirely eligible under that expansion.
Section 184A Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee
Section 184A is a separate HUD guarantee designed to provide private mortgage financing on Hawaiian Home Lands for eligible Native Hawaiian borrowers and qualifying entities. HUD states that the guarantee can cover 100% of unpaid principal and interest due on an eligible loan.
184/184A vs FHA 248/247
Section 184 and 184A are administered through HUD's Office of Native American Programs/Office of Loan Guarantee. FHA Sections 248 and 247 are FHA mortgage-insurance authorities. Similar mission; different programs.
Official program sources
Primary sources are HUD/FHA program pages and Handbook 4000.1. Program availability and lender participation can be narrower than statutory eligibility, so a program's existence does not mean every FHA lender offers it.