Renzi Fights to Gives Tribes More Control Over Title Process

Congressman Plans Field Hearing This Summer in Camp Verde to Address Issue WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-1) in a speech to the Inter-tribal Council of Arizona said he would fight to give Arizona's tribes more control over the home ownership title process. Congressman Renzi has been pushing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to streamline the title process and push for eventual tribal control to remove a major impediment to Native American home ownership. Renzi said he planned to hold a hearing to address problems surrounding BIA's title process this summer in the Camp Verde area. "If BIA can't fix this problem, Congress will remove their role in the title process and give it to tribal governments," said Congressman Renzi. "We will be holding a hearing this summer to keep the pressure on. Those living on tribal lands are tired of waiting years to take possession of their homes because of a bureaucratic logjam. Home ownership is the cornerstone of a strong community and is the key to economic development in Indian Country." Congressman Renzi noted that the home ownership rate for Native Americans is well below 50 percent, while the national home ownership rate is more than 68 percent. Last year Renzi was successful with legislation that assists in stretching existing resources and creates funding flexibility for Native American housing. Congressman Renzi's bill (HR 797), which was signed into law by President Bush in December of 2005, specifically clarifies the intent of NAHASDA and allows tribes unrestricted access to new funds, even if they still retain income from previous years. This important provision removes a barrier that has been in place since 1996. Previous concerns about possible penalties for generating and retaining housing related funds have prevented tribes from accessing vital housing grants.