Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

NAHASDA Reauthorization Bill Introduced in the House

H.R. 360, a bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA), which includes provisions for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant, was introduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Hawaii Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Mark Takai (D-HI) are leading the effort to advance this legislation as co-sponsors of this bill offered by Representative Steve Pearce of New Mexico.

A recipient of NAHASDA funding since 2002, DHHL has used these federal resources to assist over 1,500 native Hawaiian families through home construction activities, direct loans to income-eligible families, home repair and replacement, down payment assistance, support to non-profits that provide self-help home construction, home repair training, financial counseling, home energy efficiency training services, and other related housing services.

The department is grateful for our Congressional delegation’s efforts on this issue and extends its sincere “mahalo nui loa” for the advocacy and diligence they have demonstrated in supporting our trust, our program, and our native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
MEDIA RELEASE
Jan. 14, 2015
Contact: B.C. EchoHawk at 202.454.0948 or [email protected]

NAHASDA Reauthorization Bill Introduced in House

WASHINGTON, DC – Jan. 14, 2015 – National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) Chairwoman Sami Jo Difuntorum applauds Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM) for introducing legislation to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA).

“For more than 2 years, NAIHC has worked with Rep. Pearce and numerous Members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle on this important legislation. We are appreciative of Mr. Pearce and his colleagues for their collective efforts to reauthorize NAHASDA,” said Difuntorum.  A similar reauthorization bill was introduced in the last Congress and passed the House of Representatives, but did not clear the Senate.

The House bill (H.R. 360) has the following original cosponsors:  Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK), Don Young (R-AK), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Denny Heck (D-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Mark Takai (D-HI), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and David Schweikert (R-AZ).

NAHASDA is the most significant source of federal housing assistance for low-income American Indian families and has succeeded in providing quality, affordable housing throughout Indian Country. Passage of NAHASDA in 1996 signaled a shift away from federal control of housing decisions and recognized that tribal governments are best able to design, develop and manage housing in their own communities.

“We are grateful for the support of NAIHC members, tribal leaders and the many tribal housing professionals who helped shape and advocate for reauthorization of NAHASDA.  Indian country remains unified in its efforts in Congress, and we are confident that working with our Republican and Democratic friends we will get this legislation enacted early in 2015,” Difuntorum added.

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NAIHC assists tribes and tribal housing entities in reaching their self-determined goals of providing culturally relevant, decent, safe, sanitary, and quality affordable housing for Native people in Indian communities, Alaska Native villages and Native Hawaiian Communities. www.naihc.net