U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Hearing on NAHASDA Modernization Legislation

On Wednesday September 16, 2026, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing where it received testimony on the issue of “Examining Housing Needs in Native Communities” and on S. 5354, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 (the NAHASDA Modernization Act). Three witnesses provided the Committee with their testimony.

The three witnesses all emphasized that Native communities continue to face significant housing shortages and overcrowding, that existing federal resources are insufficient to meet growing demand, and that modernizing and strengthening NAHASDA is critical to expanding affordable housing and supporting Tribal self-determination.

Individually, the witnesses provide the Committee with testimony certain aspects of the unmet housing needs in Indian Country.

Deputy Principal Chief Warner argued strongly for passage of the NAHASDA Modernization Act of 2026, describing NAHASDA as one of the most successful federal policies supporting Tribal self-determination. He highlighted the ongoing housing crisis in Indian Country, including the need for at least 68,000 additional homes and persistent overcrowding. Using Cherokee Nation as a case study, he described successful Tribal housing initiatives, investments in homeownership, veteran housing, workforce housing, and community revitalization. Deputy Principal Chief Warner advocated for reforms that reduce administrative burdens, expand financing tools such as Section 184 loans, permanently authorize Tribal HUD-VASH, increase Tribal flexibility, and provide long-term funding certainty through a seven-year reauthorization.

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Atkin emphasized the severe housing challenges facing Tribal communities, including overcrowding, housing shortages, and inadequate infrastructure, while highlighting the success of NAHASDA over the past 30 years. She noted that NAHASDA has supported the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of more than 160,000 homes and has advanced Tribal self-determination by allowing Tribes to tailor housing solutions to local needs. Also, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Atkin testified that NAHASDA reauthorization and modernization presents an opportunity to streamline requirements, update programs, strengthen Tribal sovereignty, and expand housing opportunities across Indian Country.

Ms. Puente Cackley presented GAO’s preliminary findings on Native American housing and homelessness. She reported that 30 federal programs currently support Native housing through grants and mortgage assistance, but Tribes largely use available funding to maintain existing housing rather than build new units due to funding constraints and rising construction costs. Her testimony underscored the severity of homelessness and overcrowding in Tribal communities, including widespread “doubling up” of multiple families in single homes. She discussed Tribal strategies to address homelessness, such as developing supportive housing, operating shelters, and providing emergency assistance, while identifying barriers to accessing federal homelessness programs, including funding limitations, program complexity, restrictive definitions of homelessness, and unresolved questions regarding Tribal preferences in HUD’s Continuum of Care program.

Next Steps: Following the September 16 hearing, the next critical step for S. 5354 is consideration and markup by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. To help build momentum for Committee action and eventual passage, NAIHC encourages Tribal housing authorities and TDHEs to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to support the NAHASDA Modernization Act and its advancement through the legislative process.

Strong, direct outreach from Tribal housing leaders is essential to demonstrating the broad support across Indian Country for modernizing and reauthorizing NAHASDA.