Background
According to census data, the poverty rate for Native Americans is
approximately 26 percent, more than twice the average for all
Americans. While 5.8 percent of the general population of the U.S. is
unemployed, the current unemployment rate among Native Americans living
on reservations is 13.6 percent. On Native American lands, 11.7 percent
of residents lack complete plumbing facilities and 16.9 percent lack
telephone service. This, coupled with the price of a new home and the
lack of existing housing, has created a dire need for affordable
housing on reservations.
On June 26, 2007, the Committee on Financial Services approved by
voice vote H. R. 2786, "Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Reauthorization Act" (NAHASDA) which reauthorized
NAHASDA through FY 2012. The goal of H.R. 2786 is to provide greater
autonomy to Native Americans in using federal grant funds and give
tribes more resources and flexibility to meet their affordable housing
needs. The bill specifically accomplishes the following:
- Authorizes the Indian Housing Block Grant program for five years.
- Reauthorizes
the loan guarantee program establishes under Title VI of NAHASDA and
requires HUD to conduct educational seminars with tribes on how to
utilize these funds.
- Reauthorizes funds for training and technical assistance to tribes regarding housing.
- Creates
a self-determination program whereby tribes may set aside 15% of their
NAHASDA grant, up to $1 million, for housing activities not approved or
directly regulated by HUD.
- Reauthorizes housing assistance and block grant programs for Native Hawaiians.
- Directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of NAHASDA's effectiveness.
- Clarifies the ability of tribes to compete for funds under the Home Investment Partnership Program.
- Make Federal supply sources through the GSA more accessible to tribes.
- Recognizes tribal in addition to Indian preference in hiring and contracting for NAHASDA activities.
- Makes various technical changes to existing law.