Advocacy
The Pueblo of Acoma Housing Authority actively engages federal agency representatives, Members of Congress in Washington, DC and policy makers and administrators in New Mexico. PAHA’s advocacy and influence was instrumental in passing federal legislation that further expands housing opportunities for the Acoma people and other tribal citizens. The housing authority’s advocacy impact is nationwide. PAHA’s advocacy work is supported through the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) and the Southwest Tribal Housing Alliance (SWTHA).
Here are some of PAHA’s notable contributions to Indian housing advocacy:
Reauthorization of NAHASDA
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) is the lifeline of Indian housing as it provides funding through two vital programs administered by the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Those two funding programs authorized for Indian tribes under NAHASDA are: 1) the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) – a formula-based grant program; and 2) Title VI Loan Guarantee – provides financing guarantees to Indian tribes for private market loans to develop affordable housing.
PAHA worked closely with former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM) to introduce a NAHASDA reauthorization bill during two sessions of Congress.
HEARTH Act
The Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership (HEARTH) Act of 2012 amends the Indian Long-Term Leasing Act of 1955 to allow tribes the opportunity to manage long-term leasing on trust lands for business and residential purposes.
PAHA used their own challenges with long-term leasing to gain the support of then-U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (D-NM) to introduce the HEARTH Act and with support from other tribes and advocacy from the National American Indian Housing Council, the HEARTH Act was signed into law on July 30, 2012 by President Barack Obama. Learn more about the HEARTH Act at:
- Appropriations for Tribal Housing Programs
As the Pueblo of Acoma community benefits from federal housing programs, PAHA actively advocates for increased appropriations for programs administered through HUD, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Veterans Administration, and the Indian Health Service. PAHA has testified before the Senate Finance Services Committee, educating Members of Congress on the great housing need in New Mexico and across Indian Country; and sharing successes and challenges to development that increased funding can help create and maintain for tribal communities.
Update: On December 19, 2020, the Senate passed two minibus appropriations packages that was later signed by the president. The Fiscal Year 2020 final spending bill funds the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) at $646 million and the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) at $70 million.