Matteo Renzi: “I am pleased to have on the floor today H.R. 797, the Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005, which I…”

“I am pleased to have on the floor today H.R. 797, the Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005, which I introduced this year with the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson). While visiting with my Navaho and Apache constituents, I have learned that there is a need for a real focus on long-term housing planning. If we can help tribes be flexible with their grant money, we can see great projects such as Apache Dawn, a multiphased construction development by the White Mountain Apaches that was built because they were able to be flexible and creative with their funding. This bill makes three changes that will help Native American communities in rural Arizona and other Native American communities throughout America better address their housing needs. The first section of this bill will clarify that tribes are allowed unrestricted access to new NAHASDA funds even if they still retain program income from previous years. Currently the tribe's grant money may be restricted if that tribe is receiving program income in excess of their operating costs. This clarification is critical to ensure that we are not creating a disincentive for tribes to create housing plans for their future developments.”