American Indian tribes have filed lawsuits challenging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s plan to stop providing money to maintain lease-to-own houses on reservations after 25 years.
Housing agencies for 14 tribes filed lawsuits in federal court in Denver Wednesday alleging losses totaling about $46 million. Three other tribes filed similar suits the day before.
Congress reauthorized the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act through 2013 with an amendment ending maintenance funding if homes aren’t transferred to individual owners in 25 years. Today is the deadline for tribes to file lawsuits challenging the change, said Cate Stetson of Albuquerque, who filed a lawsuit on behalf of Ute Indian Tribal Housing.
Stetson said tribes get about $1,500 per home each year for maintenance, which is far less than the need.
