Nolan Announces Funding for Expansion of Housing for Homeless Veterans

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today announced $159,022 in Tribal Supportive Housing funding for the Leech Lake Housing Authority from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding will support the expansion of quality affordable housing and support services on tribal lands for homeless or housing insecure veterans.

The announcement follows bipartisan action by Nolan and Representatives Don Young (R-AK), Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Gwen Moore (D-WI) to address the growing problem of homelessness for Native American and Alaska Native Veterans by urging Congress to set aside 5% of housing voucher funds for the HUD/Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program. This funding would help Native American and Alaska Native Veterans secure good, affordable housing on or off the reservation.

"Our plan builds on the success of an ongoing pilot program that has benefited Minnesota's Leech Lake and White Earth reservations as well as 24 others across the nation," Nolan said. "It combines housing assistance with counseling, health care and help for Veterans in finding jobs, and makes those resources available right on the reservation."

This effort is part of a larger move to modernize and reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, also known as NAHASDA -- a driving force for safe and affordable housing in Indian Country since 1996. The House passed its new and improved version last March by an overwhelmingly bipartisan margin of 297-98 - expanding housing opportunities on tribal lands for homeless veterans, families and individuals. Nolan has joined the original bipartisan group of cosponsors in urging Senate leaders to take up the House-passed bill, or proceed with their own approach and pass it through the Senate so we can reach final reconciliation in conference committee.

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