A Cherokee Nation housing unit in Oklahoma. Photo from Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation

The House passed H.R.4329, a bill to reauthorize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act, by a voice vote on Tuesday.

NAHASDA first became law in 1996. It consolidated several existing programs and allowed tribes to receive funds directly from the federal government.

"In the last 10 years, NAHASDA, as it is known, has become a driving force for positive change and improvement on tribal lands," Rep. Steve Pearce (R-New Mexico) said on the floor. "Through increased access to safe and affordable housing and lease-to-own programs aimed at providing rural tribes with a means for self-growth, the program has provided flexibility and independence to tribal members nationwide.

Congress last reauthorized the law in 2008. It expired in September 2013 without action so tribal leaders and Indian organizations are lobbying strongly for its passage this year.

"We applaud the strong bipartisan support that led to the passage of HR 4329 by the House of Representatives," Sami Jo Difuntorum, the chairwoman of the National American Indian Housing Council, said in a press release today.

Now it's up to the Senate to take action. With only a week or so left in the 113th Congress, lawmakers will have to move quickly.

"We are hopeful that the Senate will take swift action to reauthorize NAHASDA during the 113th Congress," Difuntorum said.

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