On September 27th and 28th, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Richard Monocchio, and other HUD senior officials will be hosted by the Tohono O’odham Nation in Tucson, Arizona for HUD’s Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC) meeting. The two-day convening will focus on Tribal housing issues and ways the Biden-Harris Administration can meet the housing needs of Native American communities.
The first day will focus on discussions regarding HUD resources for Indian Country, infrastructure and development, programs and policy, homeownership, special needs and homelessness, and policy development and research. The second day will focus on a series of site visits to Tribal communities in the Tohono O’odham Nation.
“HUD’s first-ever Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee continues to play an important role in ensuring Tribal perspectives are heard and considered at the agency,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “I applaud both the Tribal leaders and our HUD team’s collaboration, and I look forward to our continued work together to help Tribal communities thrive.”
HUD formed its first TIAC in November 2022 and announced its creation at the White House Tribal Nations Summit. Many Federal agencies have Tribal Advisory Committees. The purpose of these committees is to allow Tribal leaders a forum to provide input on Departmental policies – especially before policies are adopted and implemented. The idea is to ensure Tribal leaders have a voice on all policy matters that will substantially affect their Tribal communities.
“Under the leadership of Secretary Fudge, HUD’s Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee helps us to address the unique concerns of Indian Country,” said Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman. “This convening will continue the important work of building a strong partnership between HUD and Tribal communities while developing Departmental policies and efforts. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to prioritizing relationships with Tribal Nations that are built on respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance, honor federal trust and treaty responsibilities, and protect Tribal homelands.”
Like all Federal agencies, HUD has a trust responsibility and maintains a government-to-government relationship with Tribal Nations. This unique legal and political relationship fully respects the right to self-government and self-determination. Tribal Advisory Committees help foster that relationship and help Federal agencies develop policies that are appropriately tailored to the needs of Tribal communities.
Please see HUD’s fact sheet on Tribal actions and investments here.