Living in Oklahoma means living with severe weather. We are in the heart of Tornado Alley. Every spring, the sirens sound, and families rush to find safety.
For many homeowners, the safest place to be is a dedicated storm shelter. However, the cost of installing a below-ground garage unit or an above-ground safe room can be a barrier.
If you are a member of a Native American tribe in Oklahoma, you have a distinct advantage. Many tribes offer generous storm shelter tribal grants or rebate programs to their citizens. These programs often cover a significant portion, or sometimes 100%, of the cost.
Oklahoma Shelters works directly with these tribal programs. We understand the paperwork, the specific engineering requirements, and the inspection processes.
This guide covers the major tribal grants available in Oklahoma and how you can use them to protect your family.
Why Do Tribes Offer Storm Shelter Tribal Grants?
Tribal governments prioritize the safety of their citizens. In Oklahoma, tornadoes are a predictable threat. Providing funds for storm shelters is a direct way to save lives and protect the future of the tribe.
These programs are typically funded through tribal revenue or federal hazard mitigation grants. They are designed to remove the financial burden of safety.
The Chickasaw Nation Storm Shelter Program
The Chickasaw Nation has one of the most well-known storm shelter programs in the state.
Who is Eligible?
You must be a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
You must own your home.
The home must be your primary residence.
The home can be located anywhere (though specific rules may apply to citizens living outside the tribal boundaries, check current guidelines).
What Does It Cover?
The Chickasaw Nation program typically provides a grant that pays the vendor directly. You do not usually have to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. The grant covers the cost of the shelter installation up to a specific dollar amount.
At Oklahoma Shelters, we are very familiar with the Chickasaw Nation process. We handle the invoicing according to their strict standards to ensure the payment is processed smoothly.
The Choctaw Nation Storm Shelter Rebate
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma offers a Storm Shelter Rebate Program. This program is highly popular and operates on a specific funding cycle.
How the Rebate Works
Unlike a direct grant, this is often a rebate system.
Application: You apply through the Choctaw Nation Housing Authority.
Approval: You receive an award letter. Do not install the shelter before receiving this letter.
Installation: You hire a vendor like Oklahoma Shelters to install the unit.
Payment: You pay for the shelter.
Reimbursement: You submit the invoice and proof of payment to the tribe, and they send you a check for the rebate amount.
Funding Amounts
The rebate amount can vary by year and funding availability. It historically covers a significant portion of the cost for a standard garage floor shelter or safe room.
Note: The Choctaw Nation requires the shelter to meet FEMA 320 or ICC 500 standards. All products installed by Oklahoma Shelters meet and exceed these federal impact guidelines.
The Cherokee Nation Housing Rehabilitation
The Cherokee Nation offers assistance for storm shelters, often categorized under their housing rehabilitation or emergency repair programs.
Priority Groups
Funding for Cherokee citizens is sometimes prioritized based on need.
Elders: Citizens over a certain age often receive priority.
Disabilities: Households with members who have disabilities may move up the list.
Income: Some cycles may be income-based.
The Cherokee Nation program often puts out a lottery or a waitlist due to high demand. If you are a Cherokee citizen, contact the Cherokee Nation Commerce Services or Housing Department immediately to get your name on the list.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Storm Shelter Grant
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation provides storm shelter assistance to enrolled citizens.
Program Details
Location: The home must usually be located within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation jurisdictional boundaries.
Ownership: You must hold the title to the home.
Grant Type: This is typically a grant paid to the vendor.
They have specific lists of approved vendors in some years. Oklahoma Shelters works with Muscogee citizens to ensure our documentation matches their grant requirements perfectly.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) has utilized federal grants to provide storm shelters for their members.
Lottery System: Because demand often exceeds funding, CPN has historically used a lottery system to select recipients.
Jurisdiction: Preference is often given to those living within the tribal jurisdiction in Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, and Cleveland counties.
Check their Housing Department website for the current status of the grant window.
Absentee Shawnee Tribe
The Absentee Shawnee Tribe offers a storm shelter program for tribal members.
Coverage: This program typically covers a set amount toward the purchase and installation.
Requirements: You must provide proof of enrollment, a deed to the home, and proof of primary residence.
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
The Department of Housing for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes manages a storm shelter program.
Service Area: This is generally available to tribal members living within the tribal service area.
Waitlist: Funding is limited, so there is often a waiting list. Apply as early as possible.
Other Tribal Programs
Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized tribes. Many others have intermittent or permanent shelter programs.
Delaware Nation
Osage Nation (often includes health and safety assistance)
If you belong to a tribe not listed here, call your tribe’s Housing Authority or Emergency Management department. Ask specifically about “Hazard Mitigation” or “Storm Shelter Assistance.”
How the Process Works with Oklahoma Shelters
Using a tribal grant requires following the rules exactly. If you skip a step, you might lose the funding. Here is the standard workflow when you choose Oklahoma Shelters as your vendor.
1. Verify Eligibility
Contact your tribe first. Confirm you are eligible and ask for an application.
2. Submit Application
Fill out the tribal paperwork. This will require a copy of your CDIB card (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood), your house deed, and utility bills.
3. Receive the Award Letter
This is the most critical step. You will receive a letter or email stating you have been approved. It will tell you the budget and the deadline for installation.
4. Contact Oklahoma Shelters
Once you have the letter, call us at 405-367-7901. We will:
Review your award letter.
Help you choose the right shelter (Garage Floor, Concrete Slope, or Safe Room).
Schedule the installation.
5. Installation
We come to your home and install the shelter.
Garage Shelters: We cut the slab, excavate, lower the steel unit, and pour concrete. This usually takes one day.
Outdoor Concrete: We excavate the yard, place the unit, and backfill.
Safe Rooms: We deliver the steel room and anchor it to your existing slab.
6. Inspection and Payment
Most tribes require a final inspection. They may send a tribal inspector, or they may ask for photos and GPS coordinates.
For Direct Grants: We submit the invoice and inspection proof to the tribe. The tribe pays us.
For Rebates: You pay us, we give you a receipt and proof of installation. You send that to the tribe, and they mail you a check.
Why Choose Oklahoma Shelters for Tribal Grants?
You can buy a storm shelter from many places, but using a tribal grant requires a vendor who understands the bureaucracy.
1. We Are Approved
We are an approved vendor for many tribal programs. We have been vetted for insurance, liability, and product quality.
2. We Know the Paperwork
We know exactly what the Choctaw Nation needs on an invoice versus what the Chickasaw Nation needs. We provide the serial numbers, the GPS coordinates, and the engineering letters required to release the funds.
3. Engineering Standards
Tribal grants strictly require shelters to meet FEMA 320, FEMA 361, and ICC 500 standards.
Our shelters are impact-tested at the Texas Tech University Wind Science and Engineering Research Center.
We meet every safety criteria required by federal and tribal governments.
4. No Hidden Fees
Tribal grants have fixed budgets. We work with you to find a shelter that fits your grant amount. We are transparent about costs so you aren’t stuck with a surprise bill.
Types of Shelters Eligible for Grants
Most tribal grants cover the three main types of residential shelters we install.
Underground Garage Shelters
This is the most popular choice.
Space Saving: It goes in your garage floor. You park your car over it.
Access: You back the car out and enter the shelter.
Protection: You are underground, protected by the earth and a heavy-duty steel lid.
Outdoor Concrete Shelters
These are the traditional “slope-top” shelters you see in yards.
Capacity: Great for larger families.
Durability: Made of heavy, reinforced concrete.
Entry: Steps lead down into the shelter.
Above Ground Safe Rooms
These are steel boxes anchored to a concrete slab (usually in the garage or on a patio).
Accessibility: Best for elders or those in wheelchairs. There are no steps to climb.
Strength: Made of thick steel plate, designed to withstand EF5 winds and debris.
What If My Tribe Doesn’t Have a Grant?
If your tribe is out of funding or doesn’t have a program, don’t panic. You still have options.
SoonerSafe: This is the State of Oklahoma’s rebate program. It is a lottery system open to all homeowners in the state.
Financing: Oklahoma Shelters offers financing options. You can pay for your shelter over time, ensuring you have protection now while paying it off gradually.
Secure Your Funding, Protect Your Family
Storm season in Oklahoma is inevitable. The funding windows for tribal grants often open and close quickly.
If you are a tribal member, check your eligibility today. Do not wait for the storm sirens to sound. The process takes time, and you want your shelter installed before the spring storms arrive.
Oklahoma Shelters is here to guide you through the process. We service the entire state of Oklahoma. Whether you are in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Durant, or Lawton, we can install your shelter.
Ready to start? Have your tribal award letter in hand? Call us at 405-367-7901 or visit our Types of Storm Shelters page to see which model is right for your family.
Let us help you use your tribal benefits to stay safe.
