Evidence Matters: Spring 2015

Evidence Matters: Spring 2015

The Spring 2015 issue of Evidence Matters: Transforming Knowledge Into Housing and Community Development Policy, which highlights housing issues in Indian Country with a focus on self-determination, is now available. This issue discusses unique and complex challenges tribes face as they address housing needs in their communities, and how federal policies support tribes in developing and implementing local and culturally sensitive solutions. Additionally, this issue of Evidence Matters examines the development and implementation of federal policies that empower tribal self-determination, considers initiatives to improve data on Native American populations, and explores how unique barriers to homeownership in Indian Country are addressed at local levels.

Key Findings

• Indian Country is composed of vastly different communities requiring multifaceted and locally relevant housing solutions. The United States has a legal trust obligation to promote the welfare of Native Americans in Indian Country, which the federal government fulfills through a self-determination framework.

• The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and The Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act have played key roles in furthering tribal self-determination in housing programs and in granting native nations control over land leasing, further empowering tribes to exercise their inherent sovereignty over tribal lands.

• While logistical and cultural barriers impede data collection in Indian Country, improvements in federal census methodology and participatory research, in which tribal communities are partners, help produce data that is relevant to unique tribal needs.

• Infrastructure development and home construction and rehabilitation increase the affordable housing supply. Downpayment assistance — in tandem with financial literacy or homebuyer education courses — helps Native American families achieve and sustain homeownership.