By Wisconsin Public Radio
Washington, D.C. – The Bush Administration is phasing out funding for a 32-year-old program run by the National American Indian Housing Council. Last year Congress approved $2.6 million, down from nearly $5 million in 2004. Navajo tribal member and NAIHC Chairman Chester Carl says the council's efforts have helped cut the need for housing block grants in half over the past two years. He adds that tribal housing offices used block grant funds to create 6,500 housing units for reservation residents last year. He says eliminating these funds would cut short the biggest goal of the NAIHC. Cheryl Parish of the Bay Mills Chippewa Tribe says many of her region's residents still lack acceptable shelter. Her office oversees housing for 33 tribes in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She says frozen water lines and the cost of heating in these areas are pushing poverty rates even higher.