[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 28188] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-13147] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD Forum on Successful Mortgage Lending Practices in Indian Country AGENCY: Federal Housing Finance Board. ACTION: Notice of forum. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Housing Finance Board (Finance Board) is hereby announcing a Forum on Successful Mortgage Lending Practices in Indian Country. DATES: The forum will be held on May 27, 1999 beginning at 9:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: The forum will be held at the Office of Thrift Supervision Amphitheater, 1700 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20552. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roberta Youmans, Program Analyst, Community Investment Division, at (202) 408-2581, or Naomi Salus, Director, Office of Public Affairs at (202) 408-2957, Federal Housing Finance Board, 1777 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There is a well-established need for housing and particularly homeownership among Native Americans. Between 1992 and 1996, only 91 conventional loans were closed on trust lands, and 80 of those were made to the members of two tribes. The absence of a private lending and real estate market has taken a toll on many Indian communities. Forty percent of housing in tribal areas lacks basic amenities like indoor plumbing and bathrooms. Twenty-one percent of reservation housing is overcrowded--a rate nearly ten times larger than that for the United States generally. The forum will focus on success stories: solutions to critical problems that have prevented homeownership. Tribal housing directors, tribal families and bankers will share information on how to join together to achieve homeownership. One outcome is for tribes to begin using funds more creatively and lenders to start to recognize the market potential of lending in Indian country. The Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996 represented a watershed by replacing traditional government housing programs with block grants. But to move Indian Country's housing into the 21st century, policy makers and industry professionals must encourage and help replicate successful initiatives. The Finance Board is co-sponsoring the forum with the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC). Through research, training and technical assistance, NAIHC encourages the development of greater housing and homeownership opportunities for Native Americans. Through its Mortgage Partnership Program it also assists financial institutions in providing greater lending on reservations through educational forums and direct means. Forum moderators are: Bruce Morrison, Chairman, Federal Housing Finance Board; J. Timothy O'Neill, Director, Federal Housing Finance Board; Chester Carl, Chairman, National American Indian Housing Council and Executive Director, Navajo Housing Authority; John Williamson, Vice Chairman, National American Indian Housing Council and Executive Director, Lower Elwha Housing Authority; Jacqueline Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Native American Programs, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Christopher D. Boesen, Executive Director, National American Indian Housing Council. By the Federal Housing Finance Board. Bruce A. Morrison, Chairman. [FR Doc. 99-13147 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6725-01-U