The bipartisan Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2021, recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), would extend the single block grant program for another decade to help more Native American families find safe, affordable housing.
Sen. Rounds on June 24 cosponsored S. 2264 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and six other members of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, including U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND), to reform and reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA).
Enacted in 1996 and last reauthorized in 2008, NAHASDA combined nine programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program, which aims to improve tribal housing. NAHASDA today is considered the foremost housing delivery vehicle for awarding funds to tribes and tribal organizations through a noncompetitive block grant, according to information provided by Sen. Rounds’ staff.
“The Indian Housing Block Grant program established by NAHASDA has played a critical role in improving tribal housing infrastructure in South Dakota and generating economic opportunity in our state through construction projects,” Sen. Rounds said. “Our bipartisan legislation will reauthorize NAHASDA and reform it so that these housing resources are more accessible to Native families and Native students attending college or other educational institutions.”
If enacted, S. 2264 would reform components of NAHASDA to reduce barriers for tribal housing development, allow IHBGs to be used to support Native students’ housing needs, create greater access to home loans for Native veterans, and empower tribes to develop housing rental laws, according to the senator’s information.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is reviewing the bill.