Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 aims to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. This bill introduces several changes to streamline environmental reviews and procurement processes for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities. It expands various housing assistance opportunities, including student housing and rental assistance for Indian veterans. The legislation also establishes new pilot programs to address homelessness among Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Additionally, it creates a Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to foster government-to-government communication with HUD.
Yes· 3 of 21
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill significantly expands housing, veteran, and homeless assistance specifically for Indian tribes and Alaska Natives.
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill creates a specific rental assistance and supported housing program for Indian veterans.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill establishes the Tribal HUD-VASH program to provide rental assistance and supported housing for Indian veterans.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill streamlines environmental reviews by exempting certain affordable housing activities and changing lead testing and flood risk standards.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased flexibility for technical assistance: Indian tribes and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will receive maximum flexibility and deference when determining how to use technical assistance funding (Section 3).
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Streamlined environmental reviews: The bill allows for the consolidation of environmental review requirements and provides exemptions for certain activities, such as affordable housing projects under $250,000, which could speed up development (Section 4).
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Expanded housing eligibility: The act allows for housing assistance for "essential families" whose presence is necessary for the well-being of the community (Section 6).
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New support for students: The bill explicitly includes college housing assistance under the definition of self-sufficiency and other services (Section 7).
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Enhanced homeownership opportunities: The legislation provides for homeownership assistance for Indian families with household incomes up to 120 percent of the area median income (Section 6).
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Increased leasehold interests: The bill increases the leasehold interest in trust or restricted lands for housing purposes from 50 years to 99 years (Section 18).
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Support for Indian veterans: A new program, the Tribal HUD-VASH program, is established to provide rental assistance and supported housing for eligible Indian veterans who are homeless or at risk (Section 26).
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Addressing homelessness through pilot programs: New pilot programs are established to provide housing and supportive services for homeless Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (Sections 30 and 31).
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Creation of a permanent advisory body: The Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee will provide a formal way for tribal leaders to provide policy recommendations to HUD (Section 33).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Changes to rent rules: Recipients may establish their own policies for maximum and minimum rents, which could include rents that exceed 30 percent of monthly adjusted income (Section 8).
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Authority to suspend funds: The Secretary is granted the authority to immediately suspend grant funds in emergencies (Section 15).
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Environmental review changes: Certain projects may be exempt from Federal Flood Risk Management Standards and flood insurance requirements (Section 4).
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Lead testing modifications: The bill changes how lead paint testing is conducted for target housing in remote areas (Section 4).
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Removal of certain civil rights protections: The bill includes exemptions from certain provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 for specific tribal projects (Section 27).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill significantly expands housing, veteran, and homeless assistance specifically for Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill creates a specific rental assistance and supported housing program for Indian veterans. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill expands various forms of rental assistance, homeownership assistance, and homelessness support for low-income families. Would students be better off under this? — The bill expands the definition of housing assistance to include college housing. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The inclusion of college housing assistance directly benefits young adults pursuing education. Would children be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes assistance for families with children in its pilot programs. Would women be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes assistance for survivors of domestic violence in its pilot programs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill expands homeownership assistance eligibility to include families up to 120 percent of the area median income. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill's housing assistance expansions can benefit elderly tribal members. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes broader civil rights exemptions that could apply to all minority-led tribal projects. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes general changes to civil rights exemptions for tribal projects.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The act expands eligibility for housing assistance, creates new pilot programs for the homeless, and streamlines development processes. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill establishes new pilot programs and a Tribal and Rural Continuum of Care Builds Program specifically to address homelessness. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill expands housing assistance, homeownership opportunities, and veteran support specifically for Native American and Native Hawaiian communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increased access to stable housing and student housing assistance helps mitigate economic hardship for tribal families.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill establishes the Tribal HUD-VASH program to provide rental assistance and supported housing for Indian veterans.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports housing development and construction activities which can stimulate local employment. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Increased flexibility in procurement and technical assistance can benefit tribal economic development.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill explicitly includes college housing assistance as an eligible service for self-sufficiency.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires several reports to be made publicly available and establishes a formal advisory committee.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The coordination with the Innovative Readiness Training Program supports infrastructure-related construction projects. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill streamlines environmental reviews by exempting certain affordable housing activities and changing lead testing and flood risk standards.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska