97-2055. Native American Housing Block Grant ProgramNotice of Transition Requirements and Negotiated Rulemaking  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 3972-3977]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-2055]
    
    
          
    
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    Part V
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Housing and Urban Development
    
    
    
    
    
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    Native American Housing Block Grant Program--Notice of Transition 
    Requirements and Negotiated Rulemaking; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 1997 / 
    Notices
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    
    [Docket No. FR-4170-N-03]
    
    
    Native American Housing Block Grant Program--Notice of Transition 
    Requirements and Negotiated Rulemaking
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
    Housing, HUD.
    
    ACTION: Notice of transition requirements and negotiated rulemaking.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This notice implements that part of section 106 of the Native 
    American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 
    (NAHASDA) (Pub. L. 104-330, approved October 26, 1996) which requires 
    HUD to publish a notice establishing requirements necessary to provide 
    for the transition from the provision of assistance for Indian tribes 
    and Indian housing authorities under the United States Housing Act of 
    1937 (the 1937 Act) and other related provisions of law to the 
    provision of assistance in accordance with NAHASDA. It also provides 
    notice of the negotiated rulemaking process for the development of 
    regulations necessary to implement the program.
    
    DATES: IHP submission date: Indian Housing Plans must be submitted no 
    later than June 1, 1997.
        Comment due date: February 26, 1997.
        Nomination for committee membership date: February 26, 1997.
        Effective date of NAHASDA section 701(c): October 1, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
    this notice to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of General Counsel, Room 
    10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, 
    SW., Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications should refer to the 
    above docket number and title. Facsimile (FAX) comments are not 
    acceptable. A copy of each communication submitted will be available 
    for public inspection and copying between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 
    weekdays at the above address.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dominic Nessi, Deputy Assistant 
    Secretary for Native American Programs, Office of Native American 
    Programs, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1999 Broadway, 
    Suite 3390, Denver, CO; telephone (303) 675-1600 (voice) or 1-800-877-
    8339 (TTY for speech or hearing impaired individuals). These are not 
    toll-free numbers. Indian tribes or tribally designated housing 
    entities with specific questions relating to the preparation of Indian 
    Housing Plans as required by this notice may call their local Office of 
    Native American Programs for assistance in resolving their questions. 
    The telephone numbers and addresses for these Offices appear in a table 
    published in section II. of this notice, below.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. General Statutory and Regulatory Background
    
        The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act 
    of 1996 (NAHASDA) (Pub. L. 104-330, approved October 26, 1996) 
    reorganizes the system of Federal housing assistance to Native 
    Americans by eliminating several separate programs of assistance and 
    replacing them with a single block grant program. Beginning on October 
    1, 1997, the first day of the 1998 fiscal year (FY), a single block 
    grant program will replace assistance previously authorized under the 
    United States Housing Act of 1937; the Indian Housing Child Development 
    Program under Section 519 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
    Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701z-6 note); the Youthbuild Program under 
    subtitle D of title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
    Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12899 et seq.); the Public Housing Youth Sports 
    Program under section 520 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
    Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 11903a); the HOME Investment Partnerships 
    Program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
    Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.); and housing assistance for the 
    homeless under title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance 
    Act (42 U.S.C. 11361 et seq.) and the Innovative Homeless Demonstration 
    Program under section 2(b) of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 (42 
    U.S.C. 11301 note). In addition to simplifying the process of providing 
    housing assistance, the purpose of NAHASDA is to provide Federal 
    assistance for Indian tribes in a manner that recognizes the right of 
    tribal self-governance.
        Section 106 of NAHASDA sets out the general procedure for the 
    implementation of the Native American Housing Block Grant Program. The 
    procedure calls for the publication of a notice in the Federal Register 
    not later than 90 days after enactment. The notice must satisfy three 
    requirements. First, it must establish any requirements necessary to 
    provide for the transition from the provision of assistance for Indian 
    tribes and Indian housing authorities under the United States Housing 
    Act of 1937 and other related provisions of law to the provision of 
    assistance in accordance with NAHASDA. Second, the notice must include 
    a general notice of proposed rulemaking (for purposes of section 564(a) 
    of title 5, United States Code) of the final regulations to carry out 
    NAHASDA. Finally, the notice is to invite public comments regarding the 
    transition requirements and final regulations to carry out the new 
    legislation. Except for the request for comments, which requires no 
    further elaboration, these requirements are addressed in separate 
    sections of this notice below.
        On January 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16, a series of meetings was held 
    with tribal representatives and HUD staff in the National Office of 
    HUD's Office of Native American Programs to discuss the regulatory 
    implementation of NAHASDA. These meetings were preliminary to the 
    formal negotiated rulemaking to be initiated under this notice 
    following the 30-day comment period. The January meetings provided a 
    valuable exchange of ideas that will assist in focusing the efforts of 
    the negotiated rulemaking committee.
    
    II. Transition Requirements
    
        The transition requirements that are necessary are those that 
    relate to the initial distribution of funding under the new legislation 
    and those that provide guidance for the treatment of activities and 
    funding under programs repealed by NAHASDA. Although final regulations 
    are required to be issued not later than September 1, 1997, the ``old'' 
    system of funding expires on October 1, 1997, the first day of Fiscal 
    Year 1998, and Indian Housing Plans (IHPs), which are a prerequisite 
    for any distribution of funds under NAHASDA, must be submitted before 
    the block grant funding is provided. To ensure that there is sufficient 
    time for tribes to prepare their IHPs, and for HUD to review them, the 
    requirements for the information that must be included in IHPs and the 
    timetable for their submission are a focus of the transition 
    requirements in this notice. Similarly, providing guidance for the 
    treatment of activities and funding under programs repealed by NAHASDA 
    permits tribes and IHAs to have the greatest amount of time available 
    under the new law to consider and prepare for the transition from the 
    ``old'' programs to the new Indian Housing Block Grant Program.
        Both the IHP transition requirements and those that provide 
    guidance for the treatment of activities and funding
    
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    under programs repealed by NAHASDA are set out in a Question and Answer 
    format and follow below in this section II of the notice. It is 
    important to note that any final regulations issued under NAHASDA may 
    differ in some respects from these transition requirements, and comment 
    is specifically invited on these transition requirements and how they 
    may be improved. Based upon comments and concerns brought to the 
    attention of the Department, HUD may also issue a supplemental notice 
    with additional transition guidance and requirements.
        Question 1. How is funding made available under NAHASDA?
        Answer 1. Under NAHASDA, funding is made available for affordable 
    housing activities on an annual basis, and is distributed each fiscal 
    year according to an allocation formula on behalf of Indian tribes who 
    submit an Indian Housing Plan (IHP) that is reviewed and approved by 
    HUD. Unlike other programs, NAHASDA funds are not awarded on a 
    competitive basis in which applications are given scores and are then 
    funded in rank order so that only the highest scoring applications are 
    funded. Every tribe, or entity designated by a tribe, that submits an 
    IHP which complies with the necessary requirements is awarded a block 
    grant which is a share of the available funds. The size of the share is 
    determined by the allocation formula. The award is called a block grant 
    because the recipient receives a single ``block'' of funds that may be 
    used for any eligible affordable housing activities in accordance with 
    the tribe's IHP.
        Question 2. Who may submit an IHP to apply for a block grant?
        Answer 2. An IHP may be submitted by an Indian tribe or, if 
    specifically empowered by the recognized tribal government, by the 
    tribally designated housing entity for the tribe. A tribally designated 
    housing entity (TDHE) is an entity other than the tribal government 
    which is authorized by the Indian tribe to receive the block grant 
    amounts and provide assistance according to the requirements of 
    NAHASDA. If a tribe does not specifically authorize an entity to act as 
    its tribally designated housing entity, the tribe's Indian housing 
    authority (HA) under the United States Housing Act of 1937, if there is 
    one on the date of NAHASDA's enactment, is the tribe's TDHE.
        When an IHP is submitted on behalf of a tribe by its TDHE, the IHP 
    must contain a certification by the recognized tribal government that 
    either (1) The tribe has had an opportunity to review the IHP and has 
    authorized its submission by the TDHE, or (2) the tribe has delegated 
    to the TDHE the authority to submit an IHP without prior review by the 
    tribe.
        An IHP submitted by a TDHE may cover more than one Indian tribe, 
    but only if the IHP contains the certification described in the 
    paragraph above from each tribe covered by the IHP. This option 
    provides additional flexibility by permitting several tribes to agree 
    to have their affordable housing activities administered by a single 
    TDHE for reasons of greater economy or increased efficiency, or for any 
    other reason.
        Question 3. What information must be included in an IHP?
        Answer 3. Every IHP consists of two parts, a 5-year plan and a 1-
    year plan, each of which is discussed separately below.
        The 5-year plan must contain the following information for the 5-
    year period beginning with the fiscal year (FY) for which the plan is 
    submitted (for the first IHP submission under the transition 
    requirements of this notice, the five fiscal years covered are 1998, 
    1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002):
        (a) Mission Statement--A general statement of the mission of the 
    Indian tribe to serve the housing needs of the low-income families in 
    the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe during the 5-year period.
        (b) Goals and Objectives--A statement of the goals and objectives 
    of the Indian tribe to enable the tribe to serve the needs identified 
    in the Mission Statement during the 5-year period.
        (c) Activities Plan--An overview of the housing activities, 
    including the NAHASDA-eligible affordable housing activities, planned 
    during the 5-year period with an analysis of the manner in which the 
    activities will enable the tribe to meet its mission, goals, and 
    objectives.
        The 1-year plan must contain the following information relating to 
    the upcoming fiscal year (FY 1998 for purposes of the first IHP 
    submission under the transition requirements of this notice):
        (a) Goals and Objectives--A statement of the goals and objectives 
    to be accomplished during FY 1998, including the NAHASDA-eligible 
    affordable housing activities.
        (b) Statement of Needs--A statement of the housing needs of the 
    low-income Indian families residing in the jurisdiction of the Indian 
    tribe and the means by which such needs will be addressed during FY 
    1998, including:
        (1) A description of the estimated housing needs and the need for 
    assistance for the low-income Indian families in the jurisdiction, 
    including a description of the manner in which the geographical 
    distribution of assistance is consistent with the geographical needs 
    and needs for various categories of housing assistance; and
        (2) A description of the estimated housing needs for all Indian 
    families in the jurisdiction.
        (c) Financial Resources--An operating budget for the recipient that 
    includes:
        (1) An identification and a description of the financial resources 
    reasonably available to the recipient to carry out the NAHASDA-eligible 
    affordable housing activities described in the IHP, including an 
    explanation of the manner in which amounts made available will leverage 
    additional resources; and
        (2) The uses to which such resources will be committed, including 
    eligible affordable housing activities and administrative expenses. 
    (Section 101(h) of NAHASDA requires HUD, by regulation, to authorize 
    each recipient to use a percentage of any grant amounts received for 
    any reasonable administrative and planning expenses of the recipient 
    relating to carrying out NAHASDA and activities assisted with such 
    amounts, which may include costs for salaries of individuals engaged in 
    administering and managing affordable housing activities assisted with 
    grant amounts and expenses of preparing an IHP. This regulation will be 
    developed by the negotiated rulemaking committee who will be proposing 
    to HUD the percentage of grant amounts to be used for planning and 
    administrative expenses.
        (d) Affordable Housing Resources--A statement of the affordable 
    housing resources currently available and to be made available during 
    FY 1998, including:
        (1) A description of the significant characteristics of the housing 
    market in the tribe's jurisdiction, including the availability of 
    housing from other public sources, private market housing, and the 
    manner in which such characteristics influence the decision of the 
    recipient to use grant amounts for rental assistance, production of new 
    units, acquisition of existing units, or rehabilitation of units;
        (2) A description of the structure, coordination, and means of 
    cooperation between the recipient and any other governmental entities 
    in the development, submission, or implementation of housing plans, 
    including a description of the involvement of private, public, and 
    nonprofit organizations and institutions, and the use of loan 
    guarantees under section 184 of the Housing and Community Development 
    Act of 1992, and other housing assistance provided by the Federal 
    Government for Indian
    
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    tribes, including loans, grants, and mortgage insurance;
        (3) A description of the manner in which the plan will address the 
    needs identified in the Statement of Needs in the 1-year plan required 
    by paragraph (b), above;
        (4) A description of the manner in which the recipient will protect 
    and maintain the viability of housing owned and operated by the 
    recipient that was developed under a contract between HUD and an Indian 
    housing authority pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937;
        (5) A description of any existing and anticipated homeownership 
    programs and rental programs to be carried out during FY 1998, and the 
    requirements and assistance available under such programs;
        (6) A description of any existing and anticipated housing 
    rehabilitation programs necessary to ensure the long-term viability of 
    the housing to be carried out during FY 1998, and the requirements and 
    assistance available under such programs;
        (7) A description of all other existing or anticipated housing 
    assistance provided by the recipient during FY 1998, including 
    transitional housing, homeless housing, college housing, supportive 
    services housing, and the requirements and assistance available under 
    such programs;
        (8) A description of any housing to be demolished or disposed of, 
    and a timetable for such demolition or disposition;
        (9) A description of the manner in which the recipient will 
    coordinate with tribal and State welfare agencies to ensure that 
    residents of such housing will be provided with access to resources to 
    assist in obtaining employment and achieving self-sufficiency;
        (10) A description of the requirements established by the recipient 
    to promote the safety of residents of such housing, facilitate the 
    undertaking of crime prevention measures, allow resident input and 
    involvement, including the establishment of resident organizations, and 
    allow for the coordination of crime prevention activities between the 
    recipient and tribal and local law enforcement officials; and
        (11) A description of the entity that will carry out the activities 
    under the IHP, including the organizational capacity and key personnel 
    of the entity.
        (d) Certifications of compliance--The IHP must include the 
    following certifications:
        (1) A certification that the recipient will comply with title II of 
    the Civil Rights Act of 1968 in carrying out activities funded by 
    NAHASDA, to the extent that such title is applicable, and other 
    applicable Federal statutes;
        (2) A certification that the recipient will maintain adequate, 
    meaning sufficient to cover replacement costs, insurance coverage for 
    housing units that are owned and operated or assisted with grant 
    amounts;
        (3) A certification that policies are in effect and are available 
    for review by HUD and the public governing:
        (i) The eligibility, admission, and occupancy of families for 
    housing assisted with grant amounts;
        (ii) Rents charged, including the methods by which rents or 
    homebuyer payments are determined, for housing assisted with grant 
    amounts;
        (iii) The management and maintenance of housing assisted with grant 
    amounts provided under this Act;
        (4) If an IHP is submitted on behalf of a tribe by its tribally 
    designated housing authority (TDHE), the IHP must contain a 
    certification by the recognized tribal government that either:
        (i) The tribe has had an opportunity to review the IHP and has 
    authorized its submission by the TDHE, or
        (ii) The tribe has delegated to the TDHE the authority to submit an 
    IHP without prior review by the tribe;
        (5) If an IHP that covers more than one Indian tribe is submitted 
    by a TDHE, each tribe covered by the IHP must submit as part of the IHP 
    the certification described in paragraph (4), immediately above;
        (6) A certification that the governing body of the locality within 
    which any affordable housing to be assisted with the grant amounts will 
    be situated has entered into, or has begun negotiations, which must be 
    completed before any award of NAHASDA funds can be made, to enter into, 
    a local cooperation agreement with the recipient for the tribe 
    providing that:
        (i) The affordable housing assisted with grant amounts received by 
    the recipient (exclusive of any portions not assisted with amounts 
    provided under NAHASDA) is exempt from all real and personal property 
    taxes levied or imposed by any State, tribe, city, county, or other 
    political subdivision; and
        (ii) The recipient makes annual payments of user fees to compensate 
    such governments for the costs of providing governmental services, 
    including police and fire protection, roads, water and sewerage 
    systems, utilities systems and related facilities, or payments in lieu 
    of taxes to such taxing authority, in an amount equal to the greater of 
    $150 per dwelling unit or 10 percent of the difference between the 
    shelter rent and the utility cost, or such lesser amount as:
        (A) Is prescribed by State, tribal, or local law;
        (B) Is agreed to by the local governing body in the local 
    cooperation agreement; or
        (C) The recipient and the local governing body agree in the local 
    cooperation agreement that such user fees or payments in lieu of taxes 
    shall not be made; or
        (iii) If the affordable housing assisted with grant amounts 
    received by the recipient (exclusive of any portions not assisted with 
    amounts provided under NAHASDA) is not exempt from all real and 
    personal property taxes levied or imposed by any State, tribe, city, 
    county, or other political subdivision, that the tribe, State, city, 
    county, or other political subdivision in which the affordable housing 
    development is located contributes, in the form of cash or tax 
    remission, the amount by which the taxes paid with respect to the 
    development exceed the amounts prescribed in section (6)(ii) of the 1-
    year plan requirements, above.
        Question 4. What are the affordable housing activities that are 
    eligible for funding under NAHASDA?
        Answer 4. Affordable housing activities are activities to develop 
    or to support affordable housing for rental or homeownership, or to 
    provide housing services with respect to affordable housing, for the 
    benefit of low-income Indian families on Indian reservations and other 
    Indian areas. In the case of a low-income family residing in a dwelling 
    unit assisted with NAHASDA grant amounts, affordable housing is housing 
    for which the monthly rent or homebuyer payment (as applicable) does 
    not exceed 30 percent of the family's monthly adjusted income. Eligible 
    affordable housing activities are described below in sections (a) 
    through (k) of this answer:
        (a) Indian Housing Assistance--The provision of modernization or 
    operating assistance for housing previously developed or operated 
    pursuant to a contract between HUD and an Indian housing authority.
        (b) Development--The acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, 
    or moderate or substantial rehabilitation of affordable housing, which 
    may include real property acquisition, site improvement, development of 
    utilities and utility services, conversion, demolition, financing, 
    administration and planning, and other related activities. Affordable 
    housing includes permanent housing for homeless persons who are persons 
    with
    
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    disabilities, transitional housing, and single room occupancy housing.
        (c) Housing Services--The provision of housing-related services for 
    affordable housing, such as housing counseling in connection with 
    rental or homeownership assistance, establishment and support of 
    resident organizations and resident management corporations, energy 
    auditing, activities related to the provision of self-sufficiency and 
    other services, and other services related to assisting owners, 
    tenants, contractors, and other entities, participating or seeking to 
    participate in other housing activities assisted with grant amounts.
        (d) Housing Management Services--The provision of management 
    services for affordable housing, including preparation of work 
    specifications, loan processing, inspections, tenant selection, 
    management of tenant-based rental assistance, and management of 
    affordable housing projects.
        (e) Crime Prevention and Safety Activities--The provision of 
    safety, security, and law enforcement measures and activities 
    appropriate to protect residents of affordable housing from crime.
        (f) Rental Assistance--The provision of tenant-based rental 
    assistance.
        (g) Model Activities--Housing activities under model programs that 
    are designed to carry out the purposes of NAHASDA and are specifically 
    approved by HUD as appropriate for such purpose.
        (h) Administrative Expenses--A percent of grant amounts, to be 
    determined in the final rule, may be used for any reasonable 
    administrative and planning expenses of a recipient relating to 
    carrying out NAHASDA and activities assisted with such amounts, 
    including costs for salaries of individuals engaged in administering 
    and managing affordable housing activities assisted with grant amounts 
    and the expenses of preparing an IHP.
        Question 5. How may grant amounts be used to carry out eligible 
    activities?
        Answer 5. In addition to being used to directly pay for eligible 
    activities, grant amounts may be used for affordable housing activities 
    through equity investments, interest-bearing loans or advances, 
    noninterest-bearing loans or advances, interest subsidies, leveraging 
    of private investments, or any other form of assistance that HUD 
    determines to be consistent with the purposes of NAHASDA. This answer 
    is provided from section 204 -``Types of Investments''--of NAHASDA. 
    Guidance on the types of investments permissible under section 204 of 
    NAHASDA will be provided in the final regulations.
        Question 6. When must the IHP required by these transition 
    requirements be submitted?
        Answer 6. An IHP must be received by HUD no later than June 1, 1997 
    in order to be considered for FY 1998 funding.
        Question 7. Where must an IHP be submitted?
        Answer 7. All IHPs must be submitted to the local Area Office of 
    Native American Programs as follows:
    
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            Tribes and IHAs located                                        ONAP Address                             
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    East of the Mississippi River            Eastern/Woodlands Office of Native American Programs, 5P, Metcalfe     
     (including all of Minnesota) and Iowa.   Federal Building, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604- 
                                              3507, (312) 353-1282 or (800) 735-3239, TDD Numbers: 1-800-927-9275 or
                                              312-886-3741.                                                         
    Louisiana, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma,   Southern Plains Office of Native American Programs, 6.IPI, 500 West    
     and Texas except for Isleta del Sur.     Main Street, Suite 400, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73012, (405) 552-0194,
                                              552-0195.                                                             
    Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North       Northern Plains Office of Native American Programs, 8P, First          
     Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.       Interstate Tower North, 633 17th Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-3607, 
                                              (303) 672-5462, TDD Number: 303-844-6158.                             
    Arizona, California, New Mexico,         Southwest Office of Native American Programs, 9EPID, Two Arizona       
     Nevada, and Isleta del Sur in Texas.     Center, 400 North Fifth Street, Suite 1650, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-   
                                              2361, (602) 379-4156, TDD Number: 602-379-4461.                       
                                                or                                                                  
                                             Albuquerque Division of Native American Programs, 9EPIDI, Albuquerque  
                                              Plaza, 201 3rd Street, NW, Suite 1830, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102- 
                                              3368, (505) 766-1372, TDD Number: None.                               
    Idaho, Oregon, and Washington..........  Northwest Office of Native American Programs, 10PI, 909 First Avenue,  
                                              Suite 300, Seattle, Washington 98104-1000, (206) 220-5270, TDD Number:
                                              (206) 220-5185.                                                       
    Alaska.................................  Alaska Office of Native American Programs, 10.1Pl, 949 East 36th       
                                              Avenue, Suite 401, Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4399, (907) 271-4633, TDD  
                                              Number: (907) 271-4328.                                               
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        Question 8. May an IHA continue to remain subject to the 1937 Act, 
    and convert to a PHA?
        Answer 8. No, because the purpose and result of NAHASDA is the 
    exclusion of IHAs from the definition of a PHA as of September 30, 
    1997. After September 30, 1997, there may be IHAs that want to remain 
    subject to the 1937 Act, but the consequence of NAHASDA section 501 is 
    to make it impossible, after September 30, 1997, for an IHA to be 
    considered a PHA. Further, section 502(b) provides that any IHA housing 
    developed or operated under the 1937 Act must be considered and 
    maintained as affordable housing for purposes of NAHASDA, and precludes 
    the continued application of title I of the 1937 Act to IHAs after 
    September 30, 1997.
        Question 9. What happens to grants already made under the homeless, 
    Youthbuild and Indian HOME programs?
        Answer 9. These grants continue to be governed by the statutes 
    authorizing the programs as those statutes exist on September 30, 1997 
    and by the grant agreements. After completion of the funded activities, 
    the grants will be closed out in accordance with their program 
    requirements and grant agreements.
    
    III. General Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (For Purposes of Section 
    564(A) of Title 5, United States Code)
    
        Section 106(b)(2)(A) provides: ``Notwithstanding sections 563(a) 
    and 565(a) of title 5, United States Code, all regulations required 
    under this Act shall be issued according to a negotiated rulemaking 
    procedure under subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 5, United States 
    Code.'' Further, section 106(a)(2)(b) requires the transition notice to 
    ``include a general notice of proposed rulemaking (for purposes of 
    section 564(a) of title 5, United States Code) of the final regulations 
    under subsection (b).'' Accordingly, this section of the transition 
    notice provides the
    
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    information required under 5 U.S.C. 564(a) as follows:
        (1) HUD is establishing a negotiated rulemaking committee to 
    negotiate and develop a proposed rule as required by NAHASDA.
        (2) The subject and scope of the rule to be considered are the 
    development of proposed regulations required under the Native American 
    Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) (Pub. 
    L. 104-330, approved October 26, 1996), including regulations governing 
    the allocation formula to be used, the information to be provided in 
    Indian Housing Plans (IHPs), the parameters of eligible activities, the 
    frequency and content of required reports, and any other ancillary 
    matters necessary to provide for the operation of the Indian Housing 
    Block Grant Program established by NAHASDA.
        (3) The interests that are likely to be significantly affected by 
    the rule are the members of Indian tribes, particularly low-income 
    Indian families on Indian reservations and other Indian areas.
        (4) The persons proposed to represent these interests, selected to 
    satisfy the NAHASDA section 106(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I) requirement that the 
    membership of the committee include only representatives of the Federal 
    Government and of geographically diverse small, medium, and large 
    Indian tribes, are the following:
    
    Region/Member and Tribal Affiliation
    
    South & Eastern
    
        Jennie A. Greene, Housing Administrator, Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal 
    Housing Authority.
        Bernadette Harlan, Executive Director, Seneca Nation Housing 
    Authority.
        Betty Jones, Housing Manager, Seminole Tribal Housing Authority.
        Phillip Martin, Tribal Chief, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
        Alternate: Jay Dorris, Planner, Mississippi Band of Choctaw 
    Indians.
        Richard Mitchell, Executive Director, Penobscot Tribal Reservation 
    Housing Authority.
        Susan M. Wicker, Executive Director, Poarch Creek Indian Housing 
    Authority.
    
    Great Lakes
    
        Doug DeWalt, Executive Director, Sokaogon Chippewa Housing 
    Authority.
        Martin Jennings, Executive Director, Leech Lake Housing Authority.
        Tom Maulson, Tribal Chairman, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior 
    Chippewa Indians.
        Jolene Nertoli, Housing Director, Sault Tribe Housing Authority.
        Rick Smith, Director, Minnesota Chippewa Home Loan Program
        Bobby Whitefeather, Tribal Chairman, Red Lake Band of Chippewa.
    
    Oklahoma
    
         Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation.
        Alternate: Ken Samples, Executive Director, The Housing Authority 
    of the Chickasaw Nation.
        Joe Byrd, Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
        Alternate: Joel R. Thompson, Executive Director, The Housing 
    Authority of the Cherokee Nation.
        Merle Boyd, Second Chief, Sac & Fox Nation.
        Larry Nuckolls, Governor, Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.
        Ron Qualls, Potawattomi Nation Housing Authority.
        Duke Tsoodle, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the Apache 
    Tribe.
    
    Mountain/Plains
    
        Paul D. Iron Cloud, Executive Director, Oglala Sioux Housing 
    Authority.
        Debbie Isburg, Executive Director, Lower Brule Housing Authority.
        Russell Bud Mason, Sr., Chairman, Three Affiliated Tribes.
        William Joseph Moran, Councilman, Confederated Salish & Kootenia 
    Tribes.
        Alternate: Robert Gauthier, Executive Director, Salish & Kootenia 
    Housing Authority.
        S. Jack Sawyer, Projects Coordinator, Paiute Housing Authority, 
    Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah.
        Bruce Sun Child, Council Member, Chippewa Cree Tribe.
    
    Nevada/California
    
        Phil Bush, Executive Director, Modoc Lassen Indian Housing 
    Authority.
        Virginia Kizer, Executive Director, Washoe Housing Authority.
        Juana Majel, Pauma Band of Mission Indians, San Diego American 
    Indian Health Center.
        Arlan Melandez, Chairman, Reno Sparks Indian Colony.
        Darlene Tooley, Executive Director, Northern Circle Indian Housing 
    Authority.
        Brian Wallace, Tribal Chairman, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and 
    California.
    
    Southwest
    
        Chester Carl, Executive Director, Navajo Housing Authority.
        David F. Garcia, Contracts and Grants Coordinator, Pueblo of Acoma.
        Alternate: Raymond J. Concho, Jr., Executive Director, Acoma 
    Housing Authority.
        Joe Garcia, Councilman, San Juan Pueblo.
        Albert Hale, President, Navajo Nation.
        Alternate: Kenneth Peterson, Executive Staff Assistant, Navajo 
    Nation.
        Ivan Makil, President, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
        Alternate: Charleen H. Greer, Staff Attorney, Salt River Pima-
    Maricopa Indian Community.
        Raymond Stanley, Tribal Chairman, San Carlos Apache Tribe.
    
    Northwest
    
        Henry Cagey, Tribal Chairman, Lummi Nation.
        Rod Clark, Director, Klamath Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
        Stanley G. Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tulalip 
    Tribes.
        Norman C. Nault, Executive Director, Yakama Nation Housing 
    Authority.
        John S. Williamson, Executive Director, Lower Elwha Housing 
    Authority
        Coni Wilson, Executive Director, Quinault Housing Authority.
    
    Alaska
    
        Kristian Anderson, Executive Director, Aleutian Housing Authority.
        Thomas W. Harris, Executive Director, Cook Inlet Housing Authority.
        Jacqueline L. Johnson, Executive Director, Tlingit-Haida Regional 
    Housing Authority.
        Will Mayo, President, Tanana Chiefs Conference.
        Alternate: Joseph G. Wilson, Executive Director, Interior Regional 
    Housing Authority.
        Frank A. Peratovich, Jr., Executive Director, Copper River Basin 
    Regional Housing Authority.
        Edward K. Thomas, President, Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian 
    Tribes of Alaska.
        Alternate: Lee Clayton, President, Chilkoot Indian Association.
    
    Department of Housing and Urban Development
    
        Robert G. Barth, Office of Native American Programs.
        Jennifer A. Bullough, Office of Native American Programs.
        Barbara L. Burkhalter, Office of Public and Indian Housing.
    
    Comptroller
    
        Ted L. Key, Office of Native American Programs.
        Bruce A. Knott, National Office of Native American Programs.
        Deborah M. Lalancette, National Office of Native American.
    
    Programs
    
        Dominic A. Nessi, National Office of Native American Programs.
        Peter J. Petrunich, National Office of Native American.
    
    [[Page 3977]]
    
    Programs
    
        Todd M. Richardson, Michigan State Office.
        Carol A. Roman, Colorado State Office, Northern Plains Office of 
    Native American Programs.
        (5) The proposed agenda and schedule for completing the work of the 
    committee, including the target date for publication by HUD of a 
    proposed rule for notice and comment, are as follows:
        The members of the negotiated rulemaking committee will determine 
    the agenda for the committee's work.
        The target date for the publication of a proposed rule for notice 
    and comment is June 1, 1997.
        (6) A description of the administrative support for the committee 
    to be provided by HUD, including technical assistance, is as follows:
        In addition to providing meeting facilities, HUD will provide a 
    neutral facilitator, travel funds when available, and a recorder for 
    the activities of the committee.
        (7) Comments are requested on the proposed membership of this 
    negotiated rulemaking committee. In addition, persons who will be 
    significantly affected by the proposed rule to be reported out by the 
    committee and who believe their interests will not be adequately 
    represented by any person proposed for membership in this notice may, 
    by the date specified for the submission of comments on this notice, 
    apply for, or nominate another person for, membership on the committee 
    by submitting:
    
    --The name of the person nominated and a description of the interests 
    that person will represent;
    --Evidence that the person nominated is authorized to represent parties 
    related to the interests the person would represent;
    --A written commitment that the person nominated will actively 
    participate in good faith in the development of the rule under 
    consideration; and
    --The reasons that the persons proposed for membership in this notice 
    do not adequately represent the interests that the nominated person 
    would represent.
    
    IV. Effective Date of Nahasda Section 701(c)
    
        This notice establishes an effective date of October 1, 1997 for 
    purposes of NAHASDA section 701(c). This section establishes a new 
    requirement for the Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program (also called 
    the Section 184 Program) under section 184 of the Housing and Community 
    Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1515z-13a) that eligible loans must 
    be for housing on land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe for 
    which an Indian housing plan (IHP) has been submitted and approved 
    pursuant to sections 102 and 103 of NAHASDA. Since HUD anticipates that 
    IHPs will not be submitted and approved until about the beginning of FY 
    1998, section 701(c) is given this delayed implementation date to 
    prevent any interruption in the processing of section 184 loan 
    guarantees.
    
    V. Findings and Certifications
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
    
        The information collection requirements contained in this notice 
    have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for 
    emergency review and approval under section 3507(j) of the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The OMB control number, 
    when assigned, will be published in the Federal Register. An agency may 
    not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 
    collection of information unless the collection displays a valid 
    control number.
    
    Regulatory Planning and Review
    
        This notice has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 
    12866, issued by the President on September 30, 1993 (58 FR 51735, 
    October 4, 1993). Any changes to the rule resulting from this review 
    are available for public inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 
    weekdays in the Office of the Rules Docket Clerk.
    
    Executive Order 12606, The Family
    
        The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under Executive 
    Order 12606, The Family, has determined that the policies announced in 
    this Notice would not have a significant impact on the formation, 
    maintenance, and general well-being of families since they only 
    establish transition requirements that are only temporary in nature.
    
    Executive Order 12612, Federalism
    
        The General Counsel has determined, as the Designated Official for 
    HUD under section 6(a) of Executive Order 12612, Federalism, that the 
    policies contained in this notice will not have substantial direct 
    effects on states or their political subdivisions, or the relationship 
    between the federal government and the states, or on the distribution 
    of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. 
    The notice only establishes temporary transition requirements for the 
    initial participation by Indian tribes in a new statutory program.
    
    Environmental Review
    
        A Finding of No Significant Impact with respect to the environment 
    has been made in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 50, 
    which implement section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
    Act of 1969. The Finding of No Significant Impact is available for 
    public inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays in the 
    Office of the Rules Docket Clerk.
    
        Authority: Section 106 of the Native American Housing Assistance 
    and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) (Pub. L. 104-330, 
    approved October 26, 1996).
    
        Dated: January 23, 1997.
    Kevin Emanuel Marchman,
    Acting Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
    [FR Doc. 97-2055 Filed 1-23-97; 3:23 pm]
    BILLING CODE 4210-33-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
01/27/1997
Department:
Housing and Urban Development Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of transition requirements and negotiated rulemaking.
Document Number:
97-2055
Pages:
3972-3977 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FR-4170-N-03
PDF File:
97-2055.pdf