Senator Murkowski and Representative Downing Introduce NAHASDA Modernization Act; NLIHC Urges Congress to Reauthorize NAHASDA with National Congress of American Indians
May 04, 2026
By Kayla Blackwell, NLIHC Senior Housing Policy Analyst & Sarita Kelkar, NLIHC Policy Intern
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), and Representative Troy Downing (R-MT) introduced legislation to reauthorize and modernize the “Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act” (NAHASDA). NAHASDA is the primary federal statute governing the development, operation, and maintenance of housing in Tribal communities, and though it was enacted 30 years ago (see Memo, 2/17), the programs created by NAHASDA have lacked congressional authorization since 2013. NLIHC joined a letter led by the National Congress of American Indians supporting NAHASDA’s reauthorization, and NLIHC’s Tribal Partners, the United Native American Housing Association (UNAHA) and the Association of Alaska Housing Authorities (AAHA), were featured in press releases announcing the legislation.
NAHASDA is the primary federal statue addressing housing assistance for Native communities—significantly, the legislation recognizes Tribal sovereignty and the unique needs of Tribal Nations, who operate within and navigate a distinct legal framework and political relationship with the United States. NAHASDA provides annual, formula-driven funding to Tribal Nations and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), who are empowered to oversee and develop their own affordable housing programs for their citizens. While NAHASDA created an opportunity for Native communities to respond to local housing needs, such as issues of overcrowding, poverty, and unemployment, its enactment also restricted Tribes from accessing other HUD programs, like homeless assistance grants. NAHASDA has not been reauthorized since 2013, and while programs in the legislation receive annual appropriations, reauthorization is key in strengthening Tribes’ response to current infrastructure, economic, and housing challenges.
Rep. Downing introduced the “Native American Housing and Self-Determination Modernization Act” to modernize and reauthorize NAHASDA, and Sen. Murkowski introduced a more comprehensive Senate version of the bill, the “Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 (NAHASDA Modernization Act).” Sen. Murkowski’s proposal is endorsed by housing providers in Alaska, including two NLIHC State and Tribal Partners—the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness and AAHA—while Rep. Downing’s legislation is endorsed by NLIHC Tribal Partner the United Native American Housing Association.
Read the NCAI letter urging Congress to reauthorize NAHASDA.
Read the House and Senate versions.
Read “Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Housing Programs” from NLIHC’s 2026 Advocates’ Guide to learn more about NAHASDA’s history.