HUD Kicks Off Housing Consultations with American Indian Leaders

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Native Brief: WASHINGTON – Today, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, kicked off a series of consultations with tribal leaders in preparation for HUD's forthcoming study on the chronic housing needs in Indian Country, "Assessment of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Housing Need."

During these consultations, tribal leaders will have an opportunity to comment on the scope and design of the pending study. HUD will hold six regional meetings and two national meetings, the first of which in Washington DC.

“A well executed and thoughtful study of the critical housing needs of Native Americans will inform policy and allow HUD to serve these communities,”

said Raphael Bostic, HUD Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.

"HUD's assessment will also give tribes vital data so they can use existing resources most effectively to improve housing conditions for Native American families."

HUD's study will consider housing conditions and other socio-economic situations to give a broader context to housing needs of Assessment of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. In directing this study, Congress said,

"It is clear that the housing needs of Native Americans living on reservations are substantial, but better data is needed to quantify those needs in order for HUD and Congress to better address them."

These official consultations build on seven Native Housing Needs Outreach Sessions held between December 2010 and March 2011. An eighth session, designated specifically as tribal leader consultation, was held on July 27, 2011. These sessions introduced the Housing Needs Study to participants and stakeholders. The sessions produced many helpful comments and recommendations, which were incorporated into the latest draft of the study's outreach plan and survey instruments.

posted March 6, 2012 7:57 am est