Rehberg, House Pass Legislation Reauthorizing Grants for Native American Housing
Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week joined House colleagues in approving critical legislation that would reauthorize vital Native American House grants.
"Creating affordable housing for families living on Montana's Indian reservations will serve as an important boost in their quality of life," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "This bill extends an important grant program which allows tribes to distribute grants as they best see fit. Thankfully, my colleagues joined me in supporting this essential legislation."
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 reauthorizes a program of block grants for Native American tribes to establish and maintain affordable housing. The legislation maintains a policy of tribal self-determination wherein tribes receive and administer the grant funds directly. The tribes will be required to submit a five year plan to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with an overview of the expected benefits to the low-income communities that are served by this program, as well as an account of how the tribe plans on spending the money it receives through these grants. Montana's reservations received $26,567,087 for grants in 2007.
"Each of Montana's seven reservations has unique needs in terms of housing," said Rehberg. "This bill allows each tribe the flexibility to meet those needs."
Rehberg also supported, and the House passed, an amendment, sponsored by Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM), which would expand housing and community development loan programs to include Tribes, a resource that is already available to local governments.