Washington, D.C. – March 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Building on the efforts of the 113th Congress to improve the primary federal housing program for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, today Alaskan Congressman Don Young and the House of Representatives passed legislation to reauthorize the Native American House Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) and assist Native communities across the country in developing and implementing their own innovative housing assistance initiatives
“NAHASDA is a pillar in the federal government’s trust relationship with our Native peoples and continues to support overwhelmingly successful housing initiatives,” said Congressman Don Young. “Before enactment of NAHASDA in 1996, many federal housing programs completely ignored the many unique challenges and obstacles facing the Alaska Native and American Indian people. NAHASDA has fundamentally transformed the way our government addresses housing needs for our many villages and tribes. Congress must do its part to continue these successful programs.”
H.R. 360, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self‐Determination Reauthorization of 2015, reflects more than two years of work and compromise in the House to address some of the worst housing and economic conditions in the nation. With the support of tribes and housing organizations throughout the country, H.R. 360 works to streamline NAHASDA’s federal approval process, reduce red tape, make much needed reforms, and reauthorize the program for five years.
Upon passage of H.R 360 by a vote of 297 to 98, Congressman Young called on tribes and Native communities throughout the country to encourage swift passage of NAHASDA reauthorization in the Senate.
“I call upon you to speak to your Senators and advocate for passage of NAHASDA legislation,” said Congressman Young. “The ball is in the Senate’s court once again, and hearing from you about the tremendous housing needs in Indian Country and the innovative housing assistance offered under NAHASDA will help us in our efforts to pass this vital legislation.”
Reauthorization of NAHASDA has been supported by tribes, tribal organizations, and designated Indian housing authorities across the country, including the National American Indian Housing Council, which developed a foundation for the legislation, and the Cook Inlet Housing Authority, a tireless NAHASDA advocate in Alaska. Nearly identical legislation passed in the House in the 113th Congress on December 2, 2014.
Click here for a section by section description of H.R. 360.
