FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HUD Secretary Ben Carson to Speak at NAIHC’s 2018 Legislative Conference
MEDIA CONTACT AT NAIHC:
Valerie Butterbredt
(202) 454-0913
Washington, DC (February 8, 2018) – Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr. MD, Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been announced as the guest speaker at the National American Indian Housing Council’s Annual Legislative Conference being held March 5-7, 2018 at the Washington Court Hotel. “We are pleased and honored to have Dr. Carson speak to our members and other housing professionals gathering in DC next month,” stated NAIHC Chairwoman Sami Jo Difuntorum. Carson was sworn in as the 17th HUD Secretary in March, 2017.
Secretary Carson said of the conference, “I am looking forward to addressing the National American Indian Housing Council at this year’s Annual Legislative Conference. The counsel and cooperation of the NAIHC is a vital resource in HUD’s mission to better serve families on tribal lands, and all Americans.”
“Reaching adequate funding levels for housing in Indian country has been one of our top priorities,” added Mr. Walters. Currently, under the Indian Housing Block Grant Program, HUD funds Tribal housing programs under a formula grant which provides a range of affordable housing activities on Indian reservations and Indian areas. The block grant approach to housing for Native Americans was enabled by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). Another priority of NAIHC has been working with Congress to reauthorize NAHASDA, which has been expired since 2013.
Registration is still open for the Legislative Conference at www.naihc.net. NAIHC’s Legislative Conference offers tribes, TDHEs and tribal housing authorities a chance to take part in the legislative process. Attendees have an opportunity to discuss with each other, and with their Congressional delegations, the scope and impact of legislative issues affecting Indian country.
About NAIHC: for over 42 years, NAIHC has supported and served housing organizations, housing professionals, and Tribal housing leaders in Indian country. NAIHC fights for Tribal self-determination and improving housing conditions for its Voting members which include tribal housing authorities, tribal housing departments, and Tribally-Designated Housing Entities. It achieves this through legislative advocacy, training & technical assistance, and membership support. For more information, go to its website at naihc.net.
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