U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
American Indian and Alaska Native
1994 Policy Statement
The foundation for this Policy Statement is the Federal Indian
Policy Statement issued by President Reagan in January, 1983 and
reaffirmed by President Bush in September, 1989. That statement
affirms the special government-to-government relationship that exists
between American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments and
the Federal government.
The relationship, which is as vital today as it was 200 years ago,
is based on the U.S. Constitution, treaties, Federal laws, court
decisions and the on-going political relationship between these
entities.
The relationship results in a Federal trust responsibility to Indian
Tribes. The primary responsibility for implementing this relationship
lies within the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department
of the Interior. The Department of Housing and Urban Development
acknowledges that the responsibility extends to the provision of
decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing to the members of
Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages residing
on Indian reservations and in other Indian areas.
The Department of Housing and Urban Developments policy to
promote the general welfare by meeting the national goal of providing
decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for lower income families
is complemented by this special Indian policy.
It is also the intent of the Department to vest in local Indian
housing authorities the maximum amount of responsibility in administering
their housing programs. To accomplish this objective, the Department
will consult with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments,
Indian housing authorities and national Indian organizations when
developing legislation, regulations and policies that affect those
Tribes.
The Department also encourages the development of a mutually beneficial
partnership designed to assist Native Americans by: expanding homeownership
and affordable housing opportunities; empowering the residents of
Indian housing through the creation of jobs and economic development
opportunities; enforcing fair housing opportunities; making Indian
housing developments drug-free; and helping to end the tragedy of
homelessness.
Based upon the foregoing, the Department of Housing and Urban Development
shall:
- Recognize and acknowledge that a unique government-to-government
relationship exists between the United States and Federally
recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments.
- Recognize and acknowledge that this is a special and unique
legal and political relationship, founded on treaties, the U.S.
Constitution, Federal laws and curt decisions, and that the
Department has a responsibility to assist in providing decent,
safe and sanitary housing to Federally recognized American Indian
Tribes and Alaska Native Villages;
- Recognize and acknowledge that tribal self-sufficiency and
self-determination require that Federally recognized American
Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments an their political
subdivisions, and in particular the Indian housing authorities,
in the development and management of such housing;
- Recognize and acknowledge that there are distinct cultural
practices, religious beliefs and jurisdictional rights that
must be considered when housing is developed for Native Americans;
and
- Recognized and acknowledge the importance of effective and
efficient coordination with other Federal agencies in the development
and management of such housing.
Therefore, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
shall take all appropriate actions to implement these goals by incorporating
them in its planning and management activities, its legislative
and regulatory initiatives and its policy development.
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