[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIVE AMERICANS ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for H.R. 4471, the Home Ownership Opportunities for Native Americans 
Act. I was pleased to introduce this bill with my friend and colleague 
on the Financial Services Committee, Mr. Renzi.
  Many Native Americans continue to live in appalling housing 
conditions even as those in much of the nation have improved. American 
Indian and Alaska Native populations live in housing that is often and 
justifiably compared to third world nations. One out of every five 
Indian homes lacks complete plumbing facilities. Over 90,000, American 
Indians and Alaska Natives are homeless or underhoused.
  On May 3, the Housing Subcommittee of the Financial Services 
Committee conducted a field hearing on the Navajo Reservation in an 
effort to better understand the challenges facing Native Americans in 
obtaining housing and to find ways to improve housing opportunities for 
Native Americans.
  The Home Ownership Opportunities for Native Americans Act is the 
first of many needed legislative efforts to address the issues raised 
during our field hearing. This bill makes a simple and necessary 
correction--it will statutorily confirm a 95% loan guarantee under 
Title VI of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act (NAHASDA).
  While this vital Native American housing program at the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has operated at a 95% loan 
guarantee level since its implementation, a recent determination by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has indicated that only an 80% 
loan guarantee level is authorized without further action from 
Congress. H.R. 4471 makes this needed change and ensures that this 
important housing program will continue to be used to help Native 
Americans obtain housing.
  I appreciate the strong leadership of my colleague from Arizona, Mr. 
Renzi, Ranking Member Waters, and Chairman Ney on this issue. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation and I look forward to continuing 
to work with my colleagues to address the many difficult challenges 
facing Native Americans in achieving home ownership.

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