Affordable Housing For Native Americans (NAPSA)—More affordable housing may soon be a reality on Native American reservations. In an effort to provide this housing, Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) and officials from the Federal Home Loan Bankof San Francisco (FHLBSF)recently met with leaders from the White Mountain Apache and Navajo nations. The meeting at the Pinetop, Ariz. reservation was hosted by the FHLBSF and included the Arizona Department of Housing. It focused on ways the bank could qualify housing projects on the reservation for its Affordable Housing Program, which gives grants to housing development projects. “The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is committed to finding ways to improve the housing quality on Native American reservations,” said Lawrence H. Parks, senior vice president of FHLBSF. “Completing projects is a challenge because of the land status on reservations. But we are finding ways to overcome these obstacles so that Native Americans can enjoy high quality, affordable housing. We can help make that happen.” The bank is examining ways that it can rework regulations to make it easier to proceed with projects. “Native Americans have a need for better housing, and we will help provide it,” Mr. Parks said. Rep. Renzi, who was a homebuilder before joining Congress, applauded the bank for coming to hear the concerns of Native American groups and commended the bank for its can-do attitude. “This important meeting has achieved the dual purpose of WW : @ LawrenceH. Parks and White Mountain Apache Housing Authority Executive Director Victor Velasquez discussed overcoming challenges for more affordable housing. introducing both parties to the current situation and has laid the foundation for future interaction,” said Rep. Renzi. Tribal leaders suggested the bank create special programs for projects on reservations. Bank officials added that Native Americans needed to collect more extensive data to facilitate the approval process for projects. Everyone agreed it was time to move forward on providing better housing. “Tt was an excellent meeting,” Mr. Parks said. “Everyone there was committed to the same goal: working together to improve the housing stock on reservations.” For more information about the FHLBSF, please visit www.fhlbsf.com.
