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S5354119th CongressWALLET

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

In Committee

Summary

Modernizes NAHASDA to expand tribal control over housing and add new homelessness and loan‑guarantee tools. It streamlines environmental reviews, raises tribal autonomy over procurement and leases, and creates targeted programs for veterans and Native Hawaiians.

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  • Tribes and tribal housing entities gain stronger project control. They can assume a consolidated environmental review when other Federal funds do not exceed 49% of the Federal share, set their own procurement rules, make subawards, and use 99‑year leasehold interests for housing.
  • New homelessness and veteran supports target tribal and Native Hawaiian communities. The bill creates Tribal HUD‑VASH and a Tribal Homeless Housing Assistance Grant program, plus a Native Hawaiian Homeless Housing Assistance program. It also authorizes $25 million a year for Tribal Continuum of Care participation grants and ties Native Hawaiian funding to 0.2% of McKinney‑Vento competitive grants.
  • Homeownership access is expanded through Section 184 and 184A changes. Guarantees may cover up to 100% of unpaid principal and interest, include more lenders such as certified community development financial institutions, and generally cap loan terms at 40 years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Bigger mortgage guarantees for Native buyers

If enacted, the bill would let HUD guarantee up to 100% of unpaid principal and interest on eligible 1–4 family loans for construction, purchase, refinance, or rehab. More types of lenders could participate, including federally supervised lenders and certified community development financial institutions. The Secretary could let qualified lenders do direct endorsement, require lender indemnification for fraud or noncompliance, and review or remove lenders that pose unacceptable risk. Loan terms would generally be capped at 40 years unless modified under the statute.

More homeless and veteran housing help

If enacted, the bill would create new tribal-targeted homeless housing programs. It would authorize a Tribal Homeless Housing Assistance Grant Program using up to 5% of title IV McKinney‑Vento competitive funds each year and a Native Hawaiian Homeless program using up to 0.2% of those funds each year. The bill would establish a Tribal HUD‑VASH rental assistance program and require at least 5% of certain rental assistance funds go to it. A $25 million annual Tribal Continuum of Care participation set‑aside is authorized when subtitle C funding exceeds FY2026 levels, and tribal entities would be eligible to apply for Continuum of Care grants.

Longer leases and buy-rights for tenants

If enacted, the bill would extend maximum leasehold terms on trust or restricted housing land from 50 years to 99 years. The bill would also require that rental units converted to homeownership be offered first to the current rental family if that family was low-income at initial occupancy. Homeowners getting small improvements under the Act would not get the remaining-useful-life obligation if the improvement costs are 10% or less of the home's maximum total development cost.

More tribal control over program rules

If enacted, the bill would give tribes and recipients more flexibility over procurement, subawards, and program rules. Recipients could adopt written, public procurement policies and give subawards to nonprofit subrecipients even if state procurement rules would otherwise apply. Recipients could set written rent or homebuyer payment policies above 30% of adjusted income. HUD could not require certain tribal counseling providers to get HUD housing counseling certification. Affordable housing cost increases above 20% would still need Secretary approval. The Secretary would coordinate with the Defense Department to align training construction with tribal housing plans.

Emergency payment limits and hearings

If enacted, the bill would allow the Secretary to immediately limit payments to a recipient in an emergency. The recipient would get notice and could request a hearing within 30 days. A requested hearing must be expedited, and if it is not finished within 180 days the Secretary's payment limit would stop being effective.

Faster tribal environmental reviews, with limits

If enacted, the bill would let tribes or the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume full environmental review responsibility when other Federal funds used do not exceed 49% of the Federal share of a project. Tribal environmental determinations would count for other federal agencies. The bill would exempt affordable housing activities costing $250,000 or less and certain limited rehab under 50% of pre‑work market value. HUD could not require radon testing as part of environmental review, projects could be excluded from Federal Flood Risk Management Standards, and HUD could still assist properties not in the NFIP. For remote ZIP Codes, lead testing would be required when rehab work will disturb painted surfaces. The Secretary must decide eligible environmental-waiver requests within 60 days.

Program authorizations and Native definitions

If enacted, the bill would reauthorize NAHASDA section 108 and Native Hawaiian housing assistance for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 with "such sums as may be necessary." The bill would define Native Hawaiian status for program eligibility and allow tribes and recipients to offer college housing assistance as a self‑sufficiency service. These changes would update program authority and clarify who can qualify.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

AK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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