Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
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
This bill is known as the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026. It reauthorizes and updates several housing assistance programs for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. The legislation extends funding appropriations through fiscal year 2033 for various housing block grants and loan guarantee programs. It also introduces new provisions and programs aimed at addressing homelessness and housing instability for veterans and other tribal members. Furthermore, the bill streamlines environmental review requirements, procurement policies, and reporting procedures for tribal housing entities.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +8
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill significantly expands housing assistance, homeownership support, and homelessness prevention specifically for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian populations.
- Scored +8
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill expands rental assistance, homeownership opportunities, and support programs to address homelessness for tribal communities.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill expands affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, and rental assistance for low-income families.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill streamlines environmental reviews and exempts certain housing activities, which may reduce traditional environmental oversight.
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
While increasing tribal autonomy, the bill also maintains significant Secretary authority over grant suspensions and reviews.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 4: This section reauthorizes appropriations for housing assistance from fiscal years 2027 through 2033, which ensures continued federal financial support for Native American housing programs.
-
Section 6: This provision expands eligible housing activities to include college housing assistance, which helps support students seeking higher education.
-
Section 14: This allows Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities to submit one consolidated annual performance report covering all grants received from the Secretary, significantly reducing administrative burdens.
-
Section 16: This changes the allowable leasehold interest on trust or restricted lands from 50 years to 99 years, giving individuals and families longer-term security for housing purposes.
-
Section 22 and Section 23: These sections extend authorizations for the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program and Native Hawaiian housing loan guarantees through fiscal year 2033, expanding private financing and homeownership opportunities.
-
Section 24: This establishes the Tribal HUD-VASH program, dedicating at least 5 percent of rental assistance funds to support homeless or at-risk Indian veterans living on or near reservations and tribal areas.
-
Section 26 and Section 27: These sections establish competitive grant programs to provide rental assistance and supportive housing services specifically targeting homeless or at-risk American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, prioritizing homeless youth, families with children, and domestic violence survivors.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 13: This grants the Secretary the statutory authority to immediately take an action to limit the availability of payments or suspend grant funds in emergencies before a hearing takes place, which could potentially disrupt ongoing housing projects or create financial strain for recipients before they can defend their position.
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 assistance, homeownership support, and homelessness prevention specifically for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian populations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill expands affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, and rental assistance for low-income families. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill creates a dedicated rental assistance and supportive housing program specifically for Indian veterans. Would students be better off under this? — The bill includes specific provisions to provide college housing assistance. Would women be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes supportive services for survivors of domestic violence within its housing programs. Would children be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes assistance for families with children within its new homelessness programs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill addresses housing needs in Indian areas, which are often rural in nature. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for student/college housing assistance.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill expands rental assistance, homeownership opportunities, and support programs to address homelessness for tribal communities. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides expanded housing assistance and support programs specifically for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill creates specific grant programs to provide rental assistance and supportive housing for homeless or at-risk Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By expanding access to affordable housing and supportive services, the bill aims to mitigate poverty in Native communities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill establishes a specialized rental assistance and supportive housing program specifically for homeless or at-risk Indian veterans.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill explicitly includes provisions for college housing assistance.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires reports to Congress to be made publicly available, enhancing transparency for tribal housing programs. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill includes procedural protections and hearing rights for recipients facing grant suspensions. Does this give the federal government more power? — While increasing tribal autonomy, the bill also maintains significant Secretary authority over grant suspensions and reviews.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill enhances infrastructure and housing stability through tribal-specific grant programs and modernized loan guarantees. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill streamlines environmental reviews and exempts certain housing activities, which may reduce traditional environmental oversight.
- 9/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/23/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota