“The lack of good jobs, the skyrocketing cost of housing, and complicated title issues and red tape, have pushed the dream of homeownership further and further out of reach for Native American families around Arizona, and throughout the country,” said Rep. Renzi.  “This trend is unacceptable, and must be turned around.  I applaud the Subcommittee for its decision to hold this important hearing on Monday, and look forward to expanding homeownership for more Native American families throughout the nation.”

The hearing will focus on the unique relationship between Native American Tribes and the U.S. Government and the housing situation on reservations. It will also address the barriers to home ownership for Native Americans and the possible solutions that would improve the process of obtaining titles and financing for housing units. Despite existing programs and efforts to remove existing barriers, the title process continues to impede homeownership for Native Americans.

Scheduled witnesses include:  President Joe Shirley of the Navajo Nation; Chairwoman Kathy Kitcheyan of the San Carlos Apache Tribe; and Chairman Jamie Fullmer of the Yavapai-Apache Nation; Orlando Cabrera, Assistant Secretary, Public Housing and Indian Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Edward Browning, Arizona Rural Development State Director, Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture; Alan Anspach, Regional Director for the Western Region, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; along with other representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National American Indian Housing Council.