Skip to main content
0:43

Lisa Murkowski

46:52 - 47:35

“S.5354, as amended, will reauthorize and modernize NAHASDA, which for nearly 30 years has served as the cornerstone of federal housing assistance in Indian Country. The bill recognizes that housing challenges look very different from one Native community to another. In Alaska, we routinely hear about overcrowding, extraordinarily high construction costs, homelessness, and difficulties that communities face in providing housing for teachers, healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, and other essential workers who are making a little too much to qualify for some assistance programs.”
Community
Alaska News
Captured at
September 23, 2026

From the transcript

Second, it would make a technical correction to one of the bill's Native Hawaiian homelessness provisions. S.5354, as amended, will reauthorize and modernize NAHASDA, which for nearly 30 years has served as the cornerstone of federal housing assistance in Indian Country. The bill recognizes that housing challenges look very different from one Native community to another. In Alaska, we routinely hear about overcrowding, extraordinarily high construction costs, homelessness, and difficulties that communities face in providing housing for teachers, healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, and other essential workers who are making a little too much to qualify for some assistance programs. This legislation responds to these challenges and reflects extensive bipartisan work and engagement with Native communities.

Related Coverage

Senate Indian Affairs Committee advances Native housing rewrite to full Senate

A Senate committee advanced a rewrite of the law funding village housing. It would let aid reach teachers and nurses who earn too much to qualify now.

Cover image for article: Senate Indian Affairs Committee advances Native housing rewrite to full Senate