Legislation Introduced to Reauthorize Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) introduced legislation (S. 1895 and H.R. 3864) to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) through the end of fiscal year 2022. NAHASDA was last reauthorized in 2008, but the authorization expired in 2013.

NAHASDA is comprised of three major components: the Indian Housing Block Grant, the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant, and the Tribal Housing Activities Loan. NAHASDA, enacted in 1996, consolidated multiple federal housing assistance programs for Indian tribes or tribally designated housing entities to provide affordable housing for low income families residing on reservations and in other tribal areas. Funds can also be used for community facilities.

The bills add several positive changes such as new timelines for departmental decisions and approvals, new authority to use Indian Health Service sanitation facilities funding when building HUD-assisted homes, a demonstration project to encourage private investment in tribal communities, and authorization for the tribal HUD-VASH program.

American Indians, Alaska Natives, and native Hawaiians face high rates of poverty and unemployment and lack access to infrastructure and resources. The programs under NAHASDA are critical in providing affordable housing in Indian Country where 38% of households are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income for housing. 

Learn more about the House bill at: http://bit.ly/2kp1aIK

Learn more about the Senate bill at: http://bit.ly/2fWuW6h