[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1934-E1935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION ACT 
                          REAUTHORIZATION BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 17, 2002

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in strong support of S. 1210, 
a bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996 that also includes various 
amendments to the Act. The NAHASDA, enacted in 1996, was the first 
piece of comprehensive housing legislation directed solely to Native 
American and Alaska Native people. It has become the basic program 
aiding Native Americans in tribal areas with affordable housing 
development including homeownership, rehabilitation, infrastructure 
development and other affordable housing assistance. As an original 
cosponsor of H.R. 1873, the companion bill to S. 1210, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of the passage of S. 1210 today.
  There are many reasons that I support the reauthorization of NAHASDA, 
an Act that has created incredible opportunities for tribes to meet the 
housing needs of their members.
  The success of NAHASDA is clear. In the five years since NAHASDA's 
enactment, over twenty-five thousand housing units have been 
constructed or are in development. This is nearly three times the rate 
of production before NAHASDA. With severely overcrowded conditions in 
more than thirty percent of homes in tribal areas, and more than forty 
percent of homes with serious physical deficiencies, the need has been 
demonstrated and is now slowly being met.
  While development under NAHASDA is encouraging, it is estimated that 
there is still an immediate need for 200,000 housing units, a need that 
continues to grow for one of the fastest-growing population groups in 
the country. The poverty rate for rural Native Americans remains at 
nearly forty percent, a rate that is higher than other racial and 
ethnic groups of the United States, so the need for programs such as 
NAHASDA continues to be strong.
  For all its attributes, one of the most important benefits of NAHASDA 
is that it promotes tribal self-determination. Under the Act, the focus 
is on the tribal government rather than a separate housing entity. 
Tribes are given more autonomy in administering their funds

[[Page E1935]]

and can tailor their plan to their specific needs. 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. The amendments included in the bill 
help to streamline the Act to make it more user-friendly and also 
further emphasize the self-determination aspect of the Act. 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 working so diligently 
toward the passage of this bill. 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. Thank you.

                          ____________________