COUNCIL NOW HEARING REPORT FROM NAVAJO NATION WASHINGTON, D.C., OFFICE ON U.S. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT’S NOTIFICATION TO NAVAJO HOUSING AUTHORITY TO TAKE BACK $96 MILLION IN FEDERAL HOUSING FUNDS.
Tribal Housing Entities are allowed to carryover funds for three or more years. And other tribes also carryover funds. The only difference is that the Navajo Housing Authority receives a much large housing budget. The Congress is recessed and so the Council has until September to make recommendations to HUD.
Hearing is delicate and so we all need to get together and brainstorm about hearing.
I also wanted to discuss other work of DC office which is a packet that was provided to each delegate and we would like ot make this packet every quarter for you to take to chapter meetings.
Fort Wingate Issue: it occurs to me from Council debate this morning that there are questions. There is MOU between Zuni and Navajo, Feb. 19, 1997, and signed 2002. Heard that Zuni holding us to 50-50 split because of Prez Shelly but not true. Zuni’s claim are based on memorandum. Signed by then Navajo Vice President Taylor McKenzi.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
I’d like copy of MOU and there is another MOU signed during Prez Shelly administration.
NN WASHINGTON D.C. DIRECTOR CLARA PRATT
Not memo of understanding but map. 2002 signed. three years ago, when Delegate L.Tsosie said leadership fell asleep and that was true. Time is important. In process since 1997, 14 years later, and we have not made progress. first part of Shelly administration wanted to jump start issue to recapture land of Navajo. I will try to find map.
HR 41-87 very problematic, one parcel to Zuni that was huge and Navajo received two and there was no acknowledgement of reclamation of land. Speaker Naize created Task Force on Fort Wingate and Task Force/Navajo Nation opposed HR 41-87 and asked Lujan to intervene, which he did. There were several meetings and there was letter signed by Navajo and Zuni, July 8, 2013, to have Congressman Lujan move forward with his legislation, which was legislation tabled today and we are attempting to re-ngogiate. Zuni felt negotiated in good faith on July 8, 2013, and so they don’t want to negotiate.
Hear that we agreed too fast but it’s been 14 years. Congress feels decision needs to be made. Navajo needs to move forward with HR 41-87 because the land division is very fair.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
Given deadline for administrative hearing and federal law says 30 days to set hearing so if June then more than 30 days. And I ask Speaker Pro Temp Bates that there are five ladies willing to travel to DC to lobby on behalf of NHA.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
if deadline Aug. 28, 2014, i understand that NHA appeal was not received until Aug. 29 and that is based on FedEx receipt.
DELEGATE DUANE TSINIGINE
Delegate Ervin Keeswood and I asked about possible lawsuit with Zuni and now it’s finally being taken care of.
Navajo Housing Authority – This $96 million is crucial for the rehabilitation of former Bennett Freeze Area.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
I don’t know plans of NHA. NHA needs to make monthly reports to Naabik’iyati Committee with this case and current federal housing funds appropriated to NHA. I also attended NHA Board meeting and serious funds in the millions is being contemplated for loan. If $96 million lose, how wud loan be paid back.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
I want to say, I told you so. I said President Shelly told Resources & Development Committee to back and that he wud take care of by himself. But he dropped the ball. Council not innocent either. WE had opportunity to make changes, changes TDHE or replace the Board. So we are not innocent. I’m supportive of legislation that limits us to three years cuz way to address housing needs. it will compel us here in Window Rock to move. It’s best for our pple. RDC pushed for changes. So even these presidential candidates need to admit their involvement. when i look at NHA issue, we are all to blame. we took certain action when RDC asked for new NHA board. So perhaps solution would be to move TDHE from NHA and NHA cud go about it’s business and TDHE cud build homes for pple. Prez Shelly promised that but of course he flip-flopped.
NAVAJO WASHINGTON DC. OFFICE DIRECTOR CLARA PRATT
If receipt missed deadline? No, HUD said NHA appeal timely. By July 28, HUD has 30 days to respond to serve complaint to NHA and after serve complaint then HUD file response, first week of October, HUD decide hearing schedule. Estimate 8-10 months from now for hearing to be scheduled so we can still advocate. not too late.
me telling u not to come…i didn’t say that. i said not to advocate on hearing to Congress, not NAHASDA/Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act funds.
DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
Housing important to people, veterans. WE need real strong game plan to show to Congress that we will be spending $96 million. The total amount of unspent federal housing funds not spent by NHA is about $400 million which could be compared to the federal settlement funds of $500 million.
DELEGATE LEONARD PETE
Wat is NHA’s plan for the $96 million? What is their argument to HUD to keep $96 million? I think it’s important for Council to discussion the Tribally Designated Housing Entity.
SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES
given situation of tribe, perhaps Council draft letter NHA that we want any and all information regarding HUD to be shared with Council.
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
I agree with directive but we need more information from Washington Office about bill “that would punish Navajo Nation.” NHA also needs to tell us about legal arguments for $96 million so Council and Naabik’iyati Committee can decide if argument strong enough to save $96 million.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
Question of Privelege – Is $96 million frozen or do we use it?
SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES
As soon as session ends then the letter to NHA will be drafted with the assistance of the Washington DC Office and then it will be immediately sent to NHA.
VOTE ON ACCEPTING REPORT FROM NAVAJO NATION WASHINGTON DC OFFICE DIRECTOR CLARA PRATT, WITH DIRECTIVES
14 IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED
