[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 16, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION 
                          REAUTHORIZATION BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2001

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be an original 
cosponsor of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act (NAHASDA) reauthorization bill. The NAHASDA, enacted 
in 1996, was the first piece of comprehensive housing legislation 
directed solely to Native American and Alaska Native people. The Act 
provides basic housing, basic plumbing, basic water infrastructure, 
heat, and electricity to many of our country's Indian reservations. 
That is why I support the reauthorization of NAHASDA, an Act that has 
already gone so far in meeting the housing needs of our First 
Americans.
  The success of NAHASDA is clear. In the five years since NAHASDA's 
enactment, twenty-five thousand housing units have been constructed or 
are in development. With severely overcrowded conditions in more than 
fifty percent of homes in tribal areas, and more than forty percent of 
homes with serious physical deficiencies, the need has been 
demonstrated and is slowly being met. While development under NAHASDA 
is encouraging, it is estimated that there is still an immediate need 
for 200,000 housing units.
  NAHASDA promotes tribal self-determination. Under the Act, tribes 
administer their funds directly instead of the regional housing 
organizations administering their funds. The Act also encourages the 
involvement of private sector entities and promotes innovative 
financing.
  Mr. Speaker, the NAHASDA reauthorization bill will build upon the 
success of the past five years by providing more housing development on 
our nation's Indian reservations. Housing is the backbone of economic 
and community development. It creates jobs and drives tribal economies. 
It is a basic need that can strengthen progress in other areas like 
education and health care too.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman J.D. Hayworth for his 
dedication to Native American issues, and for introducing this bill 
today. It is my hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will 
support this bill for what it is--a renewed commitment to the well-
being of the Native American people of this nation.

                          ____________________