On NAHASDA 25th Anniversary, HUD Deputy Secretary Todman, Tribal Leaders, Congressional Leaders Commit to Continued Collaboration

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today held a virtual event with Tribal leaders, housing practitioners, and members of Congress to recognize the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). The landmark legislation bolstered Tribal Self-Determination and restructured how the federal government works with Tribes to address the housing and infrastructure needs in Indian Country. President Biden and Secretary Fudge have committed to engaging with Tribal Nations to address the housing crisis on Tribal lands and have called for historic funding for Tribal Nations in the Build Back Better plan. Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman delivered a keynote address commemorating the anniversary and reiterating the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to continued collaboration with Tribal Nations.

"The lasting legacy of NAHASDA is helping Tribes meet their communities' housing needs with flexible resources and self-determination," said Deputy Secretary Todman. "As we celebrate this 25th anniversary, we also look forward to the immense progress we can make in the next 25 years in partnership with Tribal communities."

Through NAHASDA funding, Tribal communities construct and rehabilitate affordable housing for low-income Native American families, operate and modernize existing housing, provide rental and mortgage assistance, develop critical housing-related infrastructure, provide essential services to disabled and elderly Native Americans, support Native Veterans, and much more. The event featured a panel discussion with leaders from Tribal Nations, including Tlingit and Haida, Ohkay Owingeh, and Ho-Chunk Nation.

"The importance of self-determination cannot be overstated," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby about the enduring impact of NAHASDA. "Passage of NAHASDA two-and-a-half decades ago was a tremendous step forward in fulfilling our self-determination and our mission."

Current and former members of Congress also participated, including former Congressman Rick Lazio, who first introduced NAHASDA in 1996, and Senators Brian Schatz and Lisa Murkowski, the current Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

"Since it was first signed into law in 1996, NAHASDA has provided billions in federal dollars to Tribes and Native communities in Hawaii and across the country," said Chair Brian Schatz. "Our bill continues this bipartisan tradition and extends NAHASDA for another decade, giving Native communities the resources they need to help more Native families find safe, affordable housing."

"Access to safe and affordable housing is an essential aspect to healthy families and communities. NAHASDA has allowed Tribal Housing Authorities to achieve economic self-sufficiency and self-determination and has led to safer, more affordable housing for Native people across our nation. I am glad to see so many voices from Indian country included in today's event including Jackie Pata, the CEO of Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority," said Vice Chair Lisa Murkowski.

See below for a full list of event panelists and participants:

• Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, HUD
• Deputy Assistant Secretary Heidi Frechette, Office of Native American Programs, HUD
• Jackie Pata, CEO, Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority
• Joe Garcia, Head Councilman, Ohkay Owingeh
• Neil Whitegull, Executive Director, Ho-Chunk Housing and Community Development Agency
• Tony Walters, Executive Director, National American Indian Housing Council
• Senator Brian Schatz, Chairman, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
• Senator Lisa Murkowski, Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
• Senator Jon Tester, Senior Member, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
• Senator Patty Murray, Majority Member, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Former Representative Rick Lazio, Former Chairman of the House Banking Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
• Representative Gwen Moore, Former Member, House Committee on Financial Servics
• Representative Sharice Davids, Vice Chair, House Committee on Transportation, and Infrastructure
• Representative Don Young, Ranking Member, House Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States

In the 25 years since passage of NAHASDA, Tribes have built or acquired over 42,000 homes for Native American families and rehabilitate over 106,000 units in Indian Country. NAHASDA funds have built and rehabilitated affordable housing, constructed community centers, developed housing-related infrastructure, provided rental and mortgage assistance, housed disabled and elderly Native Americans, supported Native Veterans, and more.

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