Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Downing
Introduced
Summary
Reauthorizes and modernizes the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). It would extend authorizations through fiscal years 2026–2032 and would expand homeownership, add student housing, streamline environmental and cost rules, and widen mortgage guarantees and tribal flexibilities.
Show full summary
- Families and renters: Would allow conversion of rental units to homeownership or lease-to-own for current tenants and would explicitly make college and student housing eligible under NAHASDA.
- Tribal governments and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs): Would expand eligibility for community-based development and housing counseling grants, increase tribal waiver and exemption authority in Continuum of Care programs, and change leaseholds on trust or restricted land to 99 years.
- Lenders and borrowers: Would let the Secretary guarantee up to 100 percent of unpaid principal and interest, create a direct endorsement path for qualifying lenders with oversight and termination authority for high-risk mortgagees, and codify a 40-year loan term cap with limited exceptions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Stronger tribal mortgage guarantees
This bill would expand loan guarantees for Indian and Native Hawaiian borrowers. The Secretary would be able to guarantee up to 100 percent of unpaid principal and interest on eligible 1–4 family loans. It would create a direct endorsement path letting qualified lenders endorse loans and allow delegation of endorsement authority. Lenders could be required to indemnify the government and face periodic reviews, and most loan terms would be capped at 40 years. The bill would authorize "such sums as may be necessary" for loan costs for FY2026–FY2032.
Tribal homeless aid and special rules
If enacted, Continuum of Care rules would explicitly include Indian Tribes and tribally designated housing entities as eligible applicants. Collaborative applicants that serve only reservation or trust land could skip a consolidated plan. Projects on reservations or trust land must certify consistency with an approved NAHASDA housing plan. The Secretary could waive some HUD requirements (not labor or environmental rules) to help tribal participation. For certain tribal Continuum of Care awards, Titles VI and VIII would not apply. The bill would also create a Tribal HUD‑VASH program and require at least 5 percent of rental assistance funds under the parent paragraph be used for it.
Tribal housing control and ownership paths
If enacted, NAHASDA and Native Hawaiian housing programs would be reauthorized for FY2026–FY2032. Tribes and TDHEs could set written, public rent and homebuyer payment rules for units they own or operate. Current rental families in NAHASDA-assisted units could be allowed to buy or lease‑purchase their unit under set conditions. Lease terms on trust or restricted land could extend to 99 years. College housing would be an eligible NAHASDA service. The bill would let tribes seek HUD housing counseling grants and waive HUD counseling certification for tribal entities in some cases. The Secretary could limit payments in emergencies but must allow a hearing within 30 days and end the limit if the hearing is not completed in 180 days.
Faster, cheaper tribal housing construction
The bill would streamline environmental and construction rules for tribal housing projects. It would define Total Development Cost (TDC) and base it on a moderately designed house averaged from at least two national cost indexes. The Secretary must act on requests to exceed TDC by more than 10% within 60 days or the request is deemed approved. Small affordable activities costing $250,000 or less and projects where other Federal funds are under 49% of the federal share could qualify for review exemptions. The bill would bar HUD from adding extra wetland or Buy America requirements when other federal permits apply, limit radon testing mandates for recipients, change small‑tank siting rules, and require lead testing methods for remote‑area rehab work.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Downing
MT • R
Cosponsors
Bynum
OR • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Cole
OK • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Lucas
OK • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Huizenga
MI • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Wagner
MO • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Meuser
PA • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Haridopolos
FL • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Lawler
NY • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
De La Cruz
TX • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Barr
KY • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Steil
WI • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Davidson
OH • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Stutzman
IN • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Loudermilk
GA • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Zinke
MT • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Bacon
NE • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Fleischmann
TN • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Johnson (SD)
SD • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Fedorchak
ND • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Liccardo
CA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Moore (WI)
WI • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Davids (KS)
KS • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Vasquez
NM • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Larsen (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Stanton
AZ • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Leger Fernandez
NM • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Bentz
OR • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Nunn (IA)
IA • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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