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FY 2006 HUD APPROPRIATIONS BILL
INDIAN HOUSING FUND DECREASE
June 30, 2005

MR. SPEAKER, I would like to express my extreme disappointment that the fiscal year 2006 Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill again reduces Federal support for Native American housing. The current bill shrinks the Native American Housing Block Grant (NAHBG) from $622 million in 2005 to only $555 million in 2006. Earlier this year, I requested that funding for NAHBG be increased to $1 billion for fiscal year 2006.

Many tribal areas face severe housing shortages, leading to overcrowding and homelessness. On South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, it is not uncommon to find 25 individuals or more living in one housing unit. This problem is not localized to any one area and similar hardship can be found on reservations across the United States.

The historic underfunding of Native American housing programs has created a desperate need for housing in Indian Country. This year’s HUD appropriations bill marks the second consecutive year of NAHGB decrease compounding the problem many Tribes face in providing for the most basic housing needs of their members. Even level funding would have perpetuated the problem; but another decrease in federal support is egregious and irresponsible.

The Federal Government has a responsibility to meet its obligations to Tribal Governments. It is unfortunate that when we should be responding to the serious housing needs in Indian Country, the House has again cut funding for this most fundamental program.

I sincerely hope our colleagues in the Senate will be more responsive to the housing situation facing Tribal leaders and members across the United States.