Rep. Kirkpatrick to Host Hearing on Addressing Housing Needs for Native Families, Veterans in Window Rock April 10
FLAGSTAFF, AZ – April 2, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — As part of Representative Ann Kirkpatrick’s continuing efforts on behalf of Native American families and Veterans, Chairwoman Maxine Waters and the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity have agreed to her request to hold a field hearing in Arizona on the important and unique housing issues facing Indian Country. Chairwoman Waters will join Rep. Kirkpatrick in Window Rock on Saturday, April 10th to receive testimony and ask questions about housing challenges for Native American communities and about the Congresswoman’s legislation to help disabled Indian Veterans keep their housing assistance.
Witnesses will include representatives of tribes and Veterans Service Organizations from across Arizona, as well officials for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The hearing will take place at the Navajo Nation Museum starting at 11:30am.
As the daughter and niece of Veterans, Rep. Kirkpatrick has been pushing hard to make Washington keep its promises to America’s fighting men and women. She has also been a champion for Indian Country in representing the largest Native American population of any congressional district in the country. Meeting the unique needs of Veterans living on tribal lands has naturally been a particular focus.
In September, the Congresswoman introduced the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act to ensure that disabled Native Veterans, their families and their survivors are not denied support through the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) because they are receiving Veterans disability and survivor benefits. This issue was originally brought to her attention by the Navajo Housing Authority (NHA), and her bill will be a major topic of the hearing.
After the event, Rep. Kirkpatrick and Chairwoman Waters will travel to Fort Defiance for a tour of newly-constructed NHA homes.
This is the second hearing to take place on the Navajo Nation with Chairwoman Waters.
The hearing and the tour will both be open to press. Witnesses will be by invitation only.
WHO: Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
Witness list to be released as available
WHAT: Congresswoman Kirkpatrick Hosts Hearing on Addressing Housing Challenges for Native Families and Veterans, Tours Navajo Housing Authority Homes
WHERE: Starting at Navajo Nation Museum, Highway 264 at Loop Road, Window Rock, AZ 86515
WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010, starting at 11:30am (local)
