[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REAUTHORIZATION OF THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS HOMEOWNERSHIP ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 2005

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce crucial legislation with 
my colleague from Hawaii, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, reauthorizing 
the Hawaiian Home Lands Homeownership Act of 2000. Our bill simply 
reauthorizes the program for FY 2006 through FY 2009.
  Established in 2000 through Title VIII of the Native American Housing 
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), the Hawaiian 
Home Lands Homeownership Act provides affordable housing opportunities 
to Native Hawaiian families living on the Hawaiian Home Lands of 
Hawaii.
  The Hawaiian Home Lands program, authorized by the federal government 
under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, is currently being 
administered by the State of Hawaii's Department of Hawaiian Home 
Lands. The Department receives over $9 million annually from Title VIII 
of NAHASDA. The rest of its funds come from the State of Hawaii as well 
as revenues derived from its own assets and commercial activities.
  Funds provided through the Hawaiian Home Lands Homeownership Act, 
which is the first significant infusion of federal housing for Native 
Hawaiians assistance since the Hawaiian Home Lands program began in 
1921, have been well-utilized and administered through the Department 
of Hawaiian Home Lands to service our under-served Native Hawaiian 
communities across the state. Funds have been used for: Infrastructure 
construction of approximately 200 residential lots; Technical 
assistance for 110 families constructing their homes using the selfhelp 
method or with the assistance of Habitat for Humanity; Homeownership 
counseling for over 300 families; Assistance to community associations 
to construct or renovate community facilities; and Downpayment 
assistance and low interest loans to families.
  As the housing needs of all of our Hawaii grow more and more 
critical, particularly given our small land base, any improvement to 
Native Hawaiian housing needs helps not only our Hawaiian community but 
all communities in our state.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, 
where a companion bill was introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye, on 
passage of this important legislation. Mahalo!

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