Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Craig Thomas, Mike Enzi and Rep. Barbara Cubin, all R-Wyo., said legislation signed into law yesterday will give Native American tribes more input into how federal funds can be utilized to better meet their housing needs.

President Bush signed the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Reauthorization Act (NAHASDA), S. 1210, which provides for more tribal input on Native American housing decisions and authorizes appropriations for various tribal housing programs through 2007.

"I am pleased President Bush has signed this vital legislation into law. This legislation allows tribes across the nation to distribute housing funds as they see fit, and provides more flexibility and discretion to individual tribes. This bill gives tribal housing authorities the tools to solve the individual housing needs of the people on the Wind River Reservation," Thomas said.

"I attended the housing fair on the Wind River Indian Reservation last month and while the tribes are working closer with federal agencies on housing assistance programs, it is clear we need to continue to improve access to and availability of affordable housing," said Enzi. "I believe giving the tribes more discretion on how to use their federal housing funds will allow them to better address their specific housing concerns."

"The people who best know how to get more Native Americans into affordable housing are not bureaucrats in Washington," said Cubin. "This bill lends more weight to the input of tribal leaders and will help more Native Americans find affordable housing. But, while this is a good start, we have an awful lot more to do to give Native Americans more input into how to use the federal housing dollars allocated to them."

Major provisions of the bill include:

* authorization of appropriations for affordable housing activities through 2007

* required negotiated rulemaking on all amendments to NAHASDA

* permits tribes to use NAHASDA funds even if other money from previous housing programs remains

* gives tribes increased flexibility in using NAHASDA funds for comprehensive planning for housing and community development needs

* streamlines application process for loan guarantees

* requires HUD to study the extent of mold in tribal homes and make recommendations for addressing the mold issue

* allows tribes to include comprehensive planning as an administrative expense under NAHASDA

The legislation passed both the Senate and House unanimously on Oct. 7 and Oct. 16, respectively.