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The Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2007

August 4, 2009
Floor Statement
Rep. Maxine Waters [D-CA]: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Frank of the Committee on Financial Services for moving H.R. 835 to the floor for consideration.  I also want to thank the Gentleman from Honolulu, Mr. Abercrombie for introducing H.R. 835 and for his hard work for the great State of Hawaii and on behalf of low and moderate income Hawaiians.

As you know, last year the Committee on Financial Services passed this legislation, but no further action was taken before the Congress adjourned. In the 110th Congress, the Committee on Financial Services recently passed the Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act, H.R. 835.  It is indeed a tribute to Chairman Frank that the Committee on Financial Services, under his leadership, is taking proactive steps to consider housing legislation so early in the session. 

The Hawaiian Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2007 is a narrowly tailored bill, but one that is nonetheless very important, and I am proud to be an original co-sponsor.  I am particularly pleased that the Hawaiian housing bill is being considered by the House today because it addresses the housing needs of low income Native Hawaiian persons on Hawaiian home lands.

The housing needs on the Islands are always being driven by increased land values, which undermine the production of affordable housing in general. Of course, this places incredible strain on low and moderate income persons, the disabled and elderly in meeting their housing needs.

This is a successful program. Since the program was established five years ago, infrastructure construction for 565 units/lots has been completed; engineering and design for 380 units of low income housing has also been completed; and a number of major community improvement initiatives have been undertaken. Another important result of the program is that self-help technical assistance and downpayment assistance for 100 homebuyers has been provided to Native Hawaiians who would otherwise have very few if any alternatives.

By considering this bill so early in the session, we are sending a strong signal to low income Native Hawaiians and the rest of the nation that the housing needs of low and moderate income families, the elderly and the disabled are a top priority. The bill also sends an important message to diverse communities across the nation that housing is at the top of our legislative agenda. 

H.R. 835 will reauthorize Title VII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The Title VII program has not been reauthorized since 2005, although the program has received funding through appropriations measures in previous years. Our actions today really do signal that our Committee has responsibility for the nation's housing and community development programs that we will continue to meet. The bill reauthorizes the Hawaiian Housing Block Grant for five years through 2012.

Loan guarantees will be reauthorized for Native Hawaiians regardless of whether they were turned down for a loan. The bill also enables the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to use loan guarantees similar to 108 loans guarantees, which will enable the Department to issue debt to underwrite major housing development projects.

I want to urge my colleagues to support these programs. This measure has been thoroughly vetted in our Committee and is widely supported outside of the Committee. By considering this bill today, we are sending a strong signal to the House that the Committee on Financial Services and its Subcommittee on Housing will continue to consider legislation that has the support of the American people. Again, I want to thank the Chairman, Members of the Committee, and Members of the House who support this bill.  Indeed, many communities will look at this bill as a sign of the new direction being taken in the 110th Congress on housing issues. We must provide access to our diverse communities to meet their housing needs. This bill represents a major step in that direction.

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