TRIBAL ALERT!
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR INDIAN HOUSING PROGRAMS AT RISK
Attention: Tribal Leaders and TDHE/Tribal Housing Directors
April 7, 2003

HOUSING FUNDING AT RISK

NAHASDA DATA COLLECTION SURVEYS DUE BY APRIL 21, 2003

Funding for Indian Housing At Risk

FY 2004 funding for Indian housing remains at risk because of controversy in Congress over the issue of unspent Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funding. Announcements made by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) earlier this year that 45% of all funds appropriated to the IHBG since fiscal year 1998 remains unspent has caused considerable alarm and is putting your continued funding in grave danger. However, HUD has very little information about those unspent funds – but you do. The implication of HUD’s announcement is that additional funding is not needed. We know that is not true. Nonetheless, your tribal housing program could receive a cut in funding because of this announcement and the lack of information out there.

Current Data Needed from Tribes

Members of Congress are urging tribes to provide accurate current data on the spend-out and obligation rates for the IHBG. In response, the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is conducting a tribal survey of IHBG funds to present to Congress by mid-May. Through this survey, NAIHC seeks to make the point that obligation of funds is important, even if some funds remain unspent. Generally, tribes have two years to obligate 90% of their funds since construction of housing takes time. Accurate tribal data is needed to support NAIHC’s argument that because tribes have a plan in place, these funds should be treated as spent.

What Action Can Your Tribe Take at This Time?

While HUD is working to improve its data collection system, anything HUD produces may come too late to affect the FY 2004 appropriations process, which is well underway. Tribes must conduct their own survey of IHBG funds now. Click here to complete the IHBG data collection survey now (opens new window)! After filling out the form, return it to , NAIHC Board Member for Region 7. Forms must be received by April 21, 2003. Fax to (775) 757-3746.

For More Information

For more information about completing the IHBG survey issued by NAIHC, please contact Kristy McCarthy at NAIHC, (800) 284-9165 or kmccarthy@naihc.net, or Jenny Kim, CILS Senior Staff Attorney, (800) 829-0284, Ext. 318 .

Documents

Alert (PDF- opens new window)
Survey (PDF - opens new window)

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