Kildee Ensuring Tribal Self Determination

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today voted to reauthorize the foremost program that aids in providing Native Americans with affordable housing in tribal areas.  Congressman Dale E. Kildee, Democratic Co-Chairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus, sponsored H.R. 2786, the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 2007. 

The bill drew broad support in the House, including that of Committee on Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank and Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Chair, Rep. Maxine Waters.  The bipartisan reauthorization bill was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 333-75.

NAHASDA, enacted in 1996, authorized the first comprehensive housing program focused solely on Native American and Alaskan Native people.  Since that time the program has enabled the construction and development of thousands of housing units.  NAHASDA reorganized and simplified existing Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs to create a single block grant to provide housing assistance to Native Americans.

“Despite the success of this program, there is still a substantial need for affordable family housing in tribal areas,” said Kildee.  “That great unmet need continues to swell for one of the country’s fastest growing populations.”

Under the Kildee bill, the reauthorization of NAHASDA would provide $2.2 billion in federal assistance to tribes and tribal designated housing entities for the construction and enhancement of affordable housing in tribal areas.  Revisions included in the House-approved bill would build upon the existing framework of NAHASDA and provide greater flexibility in meeting the housing needs of tribal citizens.

H.R. 2786 creates a self-determination program which authorizes tribes to set aside 15% of their annual NAHASDA funding, up to $1 million, for the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing.  The bill would also require a HUD review of the program to be reported to Congress one year prior to the authorization’s 2012 expiration.

The bill would reauthorize NAHASDA to enact the following revisions:

• Permits tribes to compete for funds under HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Act which presently provides affordable housing in the form of block grants to States and local governments;  
• Removes competitive procurement rules and procedures for purchases under $5,000;
• Increases access to federal supply sources, such as government discounts when on business travel, provided through the U.S. General Services Administration;
• Recognizes tribal preference laws for NAHASDA hiring and contracting;
• Permits tribes to carry over funds to a subsequent grant year;
• And Permits tribes to establish a reserve account for up to 20% of the tribe’s annual NAHASDA grant amount.

The bill, based largely upon the recommendations made by the Native American Indian Housing Council, has widespread support from tribes across the country including the National Congress of American Indians. 

The bill goes to the Senate for consideration.  The current authorization for NAHASDA expires on September 30, 2007.