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 health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Indian Housing Association (NWIHA) represents thirty-eight Indian Housing Authorities and Tribally Designated Housing Entities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and Annette Island, Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the Mission of NWIHA is to promote safe, sanitary, decent and affordable housing for Tribal members in the Pacific Northwest, which it accomplishes by providing training and education opportunities; providing a forum for the discussion and resolution of issues; advocating for the collective benefit of all members; effectively linking members to information and financial resources; and working collaboratively with its industry partners; and
WHEREAS, Native American Housing Assistance Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) Indian Housing Block Grant recipients are authorized and encouraged to develop new housing for low-income American Indians and Alaska Natives; and
WHEREAS, when such new housing is developed, the recipients are required to devote time and resources to operate and maintain those units, yet neither the block grant nor the allocation formula designate any funding to recipients specifically to operate and maintain such units; and
WHEREAS, the funds made available each year through the NAHASDA Indian Housing Block Grant are not sufficient to both provide for development of new housing and for the maintenance and operation of housing built with those funds.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI urges the Congress of the United States to establish a separate line item, in addition to the Indian Housing Block Grant appropriation, to fund recipients for the operation and maintenance of dwelling units developed with Native American Housing Assistance Self-Determination Act funding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly at the 2012 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at The Cornhusker Hotel from June 17-20, 2012 in Lincoln, Nebraska, with a quorum present.