U.S. Rep. Steve PearceU.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce has introduced H.R. 3864, the reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), to increase access to safe and affordable housing for Native Americans across the nation.
Original co-sponsors of this bipartisan legislation include U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI), Don Young (R-AK), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Denny Heck (D-WA), Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN).
NAHASDA was first signed into law in 1996 to make housing assistance directly available to tribes through the Indian Housing Block Grant program. The program works to increase and strengthen the tribal authority and autonomy in housing development, construction, and management.
The following tribes and organizations in New Mexico and across the nation have come out in support of Rep. Pearce’s legislation to improve economic opportunities and quality of life for Native Americans:
National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC_ Chairwoman Sami Jo Difuntorum:
“The National American Indian Housing Council appreciates the work of Congressman Pearce, Senator Udall, and all the cosponsors of the companion NAHASDA bills. Since 1996 NAHASDA has allowed tribes to take control of housing development in their communities, and these bills include vital improvements to the program. NAIHC stands ready to work with the sponsors and other members of Congress to move the bills through the House and Senate as quickly as possible.”
Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Cuck Hoskin, Jr.:
“For the past 20 years NAHASDA funding has improved housing conditions for countless Cherokee Nation tribal citizens, allowing many to become first time homeowners and assisted college students and elders with affordable living so that all across Indian Country Cherokees have more equity and opportunity,” Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “Housing Assistance for tribes through a reauthorization is a step in the right direction to continue this important legacy, and one that members from both sides of the aisle have traditionally supported.”
Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation Executive Director Gary J. Cooper:
“NAHASDA has changed, in a positive way, the delivery system of housing within Indian Country by allowing tribes to determine the best way to deliver services to their people. Today, the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation assists more than 6,500 eligible Native American families with varying needs of housing assistance. We fully use those dollars to provide decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing. We have a long way to go to meet all the housing needs within the Cherokee Nation, but reauthorizing NAHASDA helps us tremendously. We stand ready to work in support of reauthorization of NAHASDA, and these bills which make significant improvements to the way we are able to deliver housing assistance I can tell you, the Housing Needs Assessment released earlier this year can quantify it, and any trip to Indian Country will prove evident the overall need of housing, and how vital NAHASDA dollars are to making an impact. The Cherokee Nation has been good stewards of NAHASDA spending and will continue in that tradition if reauthorized.”
Pueblo of Santa Ana Governor Lawrence Montoya:
“We are thankful to Congressman Pearce for leading the effort to reauthorize the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act. NAHASDA is the primary means by which Indian tribes and the federal government work collectively towards addressing the critical housing need for Native American families.” Governor Montoya added, “a safe home is a primary need of all human beings to live a dignified life. Pueblo housing, as is evident throughout New Mexico, for centuries has been at the core of Pueblo community experience. NAHASDA provides the means by which Indian families can live in dignity. Congressman Pearce has spent a lot of time working with Native communities to develop this legislation, which will improve the quality of Indian housing in the coming years.”
All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman E. Paul Torres:
“Access to affordable, safe housing is the foundation for strong families, communities, and economies. Tribal governments have the responsibility to ensure that safe and affordable housing is available to our members and their families. Many tribes depend on assistance provided through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, or NAHASDA, program to help address the critical housing needs that imperil our tribal communities. For years Native American communities in New Mexico and throughout the nation have been working to address problems associated with substandard housing and inadequate utility services, and we applaud Congressman Pearce for his strong support of the NAHASDA program. Reauthorization of NAHASDA will help provide tribes with the resources and flexibility to meet our unique housing challenges and improve our communities. On behalf of the New Mexico’s Pueblos, I thank Congressman Pearce for his unwavering efforts on behalf of tribes.”
Letters of support were also written by Native Village of Barrow Housing Director Samuel Okakok, Karuk Tribe Housing Authority Executive Director Sara Spence, and Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority Executive Director Floyd Tortalita.
