Title: In support for Elder Housing and Related Needs under HUD-funded programs.

WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest and largest national organization established in 1944 and comprised of representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and local Tribal concerns; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of NCAI; and,

WHEREAS, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 was passed by the United States Congress to provide low income housing for Indian families and recognized the right of tribal self-determination; and

WHEREAS, NAHASDA eliminated rental assistance under the 1937 Housing Act, however tribes continue to participate in the Section 8 Rental Voucher Assistance program under the 1937 Housing Act Section 523; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) continues to develop, request and receive funding for people, programs and underserved families but unfortunately, tribes are excluded from mainstream subsidy programs due to NAHASDA restrictions,

WHEREAS, tribes do not possess the resources to plan or develop options for low-income seniors who wish to age in their communities; and

WHEREAS, President Clinton’s address to tribes on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in his State of the union Address identified the need to assist tribes in the maintenance of their dignity by providing necessary resources that allow for tribal members to age gracefully with the respect they deserve in their Indian communities; and

WHEREAS, NAIHC has identified the absence of Native American Indian senior citizens in the Continuum-of-Care programs adoption in HUD’s FY 2000 budget as part of the Housing Security Plan for Older Americans and notes that it recommends and request tribal participation in funding of these programs for elders; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Tribes receive set asides in OTHER HUD-Funded programs that addresses elders housing and related needs, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that programs include set asides for tribes to include but not be limited to Section 202 Supportive Housing for Elderly programs: (1) Assisted Living Production; (2) Section 8 voucher subsidies to be used for the shelter portion of assisted living; (3) Elderly Service Coordinators’ and (4) Assisted Living Grants and all Section 811 Supportive Housing for Disabled Persons’ and that appropriate amendments be made to existing legislation and regulations to allow Native American preference in selecting occupants; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that NCAI urges that the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility Needs that was proposed under Title V of the HUD Administration’s Budget for FY 2000, 2001, 2002 be authorized and that tribes are well represented on their Commission; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NAHASDA funding will not receive a reduction because of these requested set-asides.

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000 with a quorum present.

_____________________________

Susan Masten, President

Juana Majel, Recording Secretary

Adopted by the General Assembly during the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000.