Congresswoman Maxine Waters Hails Passage of Native American Housing Bill

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, hailed the passage of legislation related to Native American housing by the House of Representatives today.

The "Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act of 2009" (H.R. 3553) amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to exclude from consideration as income any amounts received by a family from the Department of Veterans Affairs for service-related disabilities of a member of the family.

Congresswoman Waters said, "This legislation ensures that disabled Native American veterans, their families and their survivors are not denied support through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act because they receive veterans and survivor benefits.  I thank Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) for introducing this legislation which reflects both common sense and compassion."

Earlier this month, Congresswoman Waters presided over a field hearing in Congresswoman Kirkpatrick's district, which has the largest Native American population of any Congressional district in the country. 

"Getting to Window Rock, Arizona near the New Mexico border for the hearing was not easy.  I traveled from Los Angeles, and staff had to travel a long way from Washington, DC during recess.  However, I felt it was important to hold this hearing in Indian country, so we could see for ourselves the housing needs of residents and hear from witnesses, including disabled veterans, who might not have been able to testify if the hearing were held on Capitol Hill," said Congresswoman Waters.  "I am especially pleased that the House has passed H.R. 3553 today, and I remain committed to ensuring that the nation's housing programs serve all citizens fairly."

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