Guide To Lending On Native American Lands Updated
Housing Assistance Council.
The federal government's ongoing efforts to make housing aid available for Native Americans got a boost today with the release of a newly updated guide prepared by the Housing Assistance Council, a nonprofit organization that works to improve rural housing conditions nationwide.
"For 35 years the Housing Assistance Council has been helping to address housing issues for Native Americans, who occupy some of the worst housing in the country," said HAC Executive Director Moises Loza.
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development housing programs are an important resource, and HAC has been honored to work with USDA to make them available in Indian Country."
Lending on Native American Lands: A Guide for Rural Development Staff was first published in 1996 to help USDA Rural Development housing program staff understand the unique issues involved in making loans for homes located on Native lands.
The updated guide includes information about new USDA regulations and policies, as well as about resources available from other sources.
"Many of its topics apply to others besides USDA Rural Development staff -- for example, everyone involved needs to understand the special nature of trust land ownership, the role of Indian housing entities, and many other subjects covered here."
The guide is available on USDA Rural Development's new Native American website, www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/aian/.
Information specifically for tribes and tribal housing entities about a variety of federal housing resources is provided in a nother HAC publication, Making Rural Housing Programs Work in Indian Country: A Guide for Tribes and Tribal Housing Organizations, available on HAC's website at www.ruralhome.org/pubs/NativeAmerLending.pdf.
