Indian Country has the opportunity to make its voice heard on a critical issue facing all Native communities and their partners. The time to take action is now.
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act, known as NAHASDA, reorganized the system the U.S. government uses to fulfill its trust obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives to provide safe, decent housing.
NAHASDA created two separate programs: the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG), which is a formula-based grant program, and the Title VI Loan Guarantee program, which provides financing guarantees to tribes to make private market loans to develop affordable housing. It first became law in 1996 and was amended in 2000 to add Title VIII-housing assistance for Native Hawaiians.
The law expired back in September, and Congress has not moved quickly to reauthorize it. We need your help to tell Congress how critical NAHASDA is to the success of improving affordable housing in Indian Country.
Tribal organizations like the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) are working hard on this effort as well.
What can you tell Congress about NAHASDA? The reauthorization bill, H.R. 4329, is awaiting consideration by the full House of Representatives. Contact your representative today and tell him or her why NAHASDA is critical to your tribe and your community. Tell Congress it is critical that NAHASDA legislation is enacted before the 113th Congress comes to a close.