Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House approved a bill Saturday night that would help unemployed and out of school young adults on Indian reservations build affordable housing in their communities. The House action follows Senate approval and puts the bill on the final leg of its journey to becoming law as President Bush is expected to sign the legislation soon, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Senate sponsor of the bill.
“Unemployment rates on the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming and on many other reservations are too high. Housing conditions in these areas do not meet the threshold of what I would hope to find in America in the 21st Century. I am hopeful the opportunities that will be afforded people through this legislation will make a dent. This bill is designed to ‘treat’ the problem on multiple levels. The unemployed are provided valuable experience and skills. More housing is built and improved for low-income individuals. The improvements benefit the whole community through pride of ownership and accomplishment,” Enzi said.
Under the Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2005, young adults ages 16 to 24 in the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Indian tribes of Fremont County are eligible applicants for the Youthbuild program. This program provides valuable experience, education, and leadership development for unemployed individuals and those not currently enrolled in school. Youth involved in the program construct and rehabilitate affordable housing in their communities to be used permanently for low-income housing.
The Senate passed H.R. 797 unanimously last month which included language identical to a bill Enzi introduced earlier this year. Representative Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., introduced H.R. 797. The legislation clarifies that tribes and tribal entities can access certain grant income used for affordable housing activities, ultimately providing more flexibility in planning. The bills also make it clear that tribes can qualify for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture while exercising tribal preference in contracting without violating the Civil Right Act.
Last year Enzi cosponsored a similar bill, but the 108th Congress adjourned before the bill could be taken up. Since 1993 when the Youthbuild program was created, more than $300 million Youthbuild grants have been awarded to public and private non-profit organizations. More than 8,351 young people have participated in the program and constructed or rehabilitated more than 4,935 affordable housing units in their communities. For more information in the Youthbuild program visit http://www.youthbuild.org/.
