Senate Panel Holds Hearing on NAHASDA Reauthorization

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on July 31 to receive testimony on three pieces of legislation, including S.1352, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act (NAHASDA) of 2013. NAHASDA was originally authorized in 1996.The majority of the hearing was spent discussing issues related to the NAHASDA reauthorization bill. The bill, introduced on July 24, would extend the current authorization through 2018. Among other provisions, the bill would facilitate the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits for projects in Indian country and allow for tribes to access HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers. The measure also aims to streamline housing regulations and requirements, and to promote energy efficient housing on tribal land.HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Sandra Henriquez said in her opening testimony, “HUD is particularly pleased to see an effort on the part of the Committee to address the needs of homeless veterans on reservations. For the past year, PHAs collaborated with the Department of Veterans Affairs in an effort to find a way to use the HUD VASH program to work in Indian Country.” Secretary Henriquez provided HUD’s initial thoughts on the bill, specifically with respect to sections of the bill that could change requirements related to the tracking of program income, to the preservation of affordable housing, and to give tribes additional leeway in exceeding HUD’s total development cost limits. With respect to a previously circulated discussion draft, Ms. Henriquez said, “First, proposed amendments to Section 104 would further loosen already flexible requirements regarding the use and tracking of program income. We need to carefully explore the implications of this change on funding for affordable housing and federal oversight. Additionally, we need to consider the possible impacts of proposed amendments to Section 205 on the long–term preservation of affordable NAHASDA units.” The bill would amend Section 205 of NAHASDA to loosen the income targeting requirements for homeownership and lease-purchase units. Secretary Henriquez also expressed caution that while HUD supports energy efficiency, this goal needs to be balanced with efforts to address the outstanding shortage of housing units for extremely low income people.Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) asked Ms. Henriquez her views on HUD’s role in addressing the severe housing needs on American Indian reservations. Ms. Henriquez said she sees HUD having several key roles in addressing the need, including the establishment and refining of rules and regulations so that funds can be more effectively used by tribes. Ms. Henriquez also said the housing needs survey currently being used by HUD in Indian Country is an important tool in assessing outstanding gaps in housing and services.Both the Committee and the Administration have indicated an interest in advancing the bill expeditiously. Watch an archived hearing webcast and read all witness testimony at: http://1.usa.gov/11CTdhn