Protecting California
Indian Resources

Case Highlight: 
Civil Rights

CILS Partners on Tax Assistance Project

Court Upholds CA
Gaming Compacts

Board Member Profile:
Brian Campbell

CILS History:
G-O Road Case

Home Ownership:
Building the Foundation for Community Development

Indian Housing Law Practice at CILS

CILS Fights to Preserve
CA Trust Lands

Indian Organizations Working for You: Indian Child and Family Services

CILS Domestic Violence Initiative

Tribal TANF Making Great Strides in CA

CILS Participates in Efforts to Protect Tribal Sovereignty

Back to Main News

Indian Housing Law Practice at CILS

CILS’ Indian Housing Practice Group

CILS’ Indian Housing Practice Group gives focus to our expertise in the area of Indian housing law and policy. The Indian Housing Practice Group provides statewide support and advocacy for California tribes in the complex world of federal Indian housing.

CILS is excited about the opportunities for California tribes in the area of Indian housing, not only with respect to NAHADSA-related programs, but also emerging public and private sector partnerships to increase home ownership on trust lands and other tribally-controlled jurisdictions. As advocates for California Indians and tribes, CILS encourages tribal leaders to explore the wide variety of options available to them in the area of Indian housing.

Priorities

CILS’ Indian Housing priorities include:

• Ensuring that California Indian tribes are maximizing federal funding opportunities in the area of Indian housing
• Assisting with NAHASDA-related matters, and tribal housing law and court development
• Promoting home ownership and lending opportunities in California Indian Country through existing federal programs and innovative partnerships between Indian tribes and the private sector

Monitoring and Developing Policy

CILS monitors the development of federal Indian housing law and policy, including re-authorization of the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). CILS’ work on federal and state policy has had a significant impact: for instance, CILS was instrumental in drafting and helping to enact provisions under the California Revenue and Taxation Code through which California tribes now enjoy state property tax-exemption for low-income Indian housing development on tribally-owned fee lands.

Representing California Indian Interests

CILS also participates in programs and national task forces set up by Indian housing organizations including the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC), the Coalition for Indian Housing and Development (CIHD), and the Nevada California Indian Housing Association. CILS works with other California tribal housing leaders to help ensure that the special interests and concerns of California Indians are voiced and taken into account.

Facilitating Tribal Input

As with the issues such as trust reform, Indian land consolidation, and Tribal TANF, CILS strives to ensure meaningful representation of California tribes at the national level, raising awareness about the special concerns and needs of California Indian communities. CILS also works to bring important Indian housing issues to the attention of California tribal leaders. In July, 2002, CILS issued Tribal Alerts statewide informing tribes about pending law and policy proposals, including NAHASDA Reauthorization and Federal Register notices and comment deadlines from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Developing Tribal Infrastructure

CILS has worked with California tribes to develop tribal housing codes and ordinances adapted for the unique situation of tribes in California, including the lack of tribal courts and the challenges posed by Public Law 280. CILS is currently exploring work with Fannie Mae on a pilot project aimed at developing cost-effective and practical dispute resolution systems that small tribes would implement and utilize to adjudicate housing-related matters.