Readout of Roundtable with Tribal Leaders

Secretary Fudge, Deputy Secretary Todman convened Tribal Leaders to discuss housing investments in President Biden's Build Back Better plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman on Tuesday convened a virtual roundtable with Leaders for Tribal Nations to discuss solutions to combat homelessness in Tribal communities through President Biden's Build Back Better plan.

The roundtable discussion brought together leaders of Wampanoag Tribe of Gayhead (Aquinnah), Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and Tlingit & Haida Tribes of Alaska.

Secretary Fudge and Deputy Secretary Todman reiterated President Biden's commitment to addressing the nation's housing crisis and underscored the historic $2 billion in funding for Tribal Nations included in the Biden-Harris Administration's Build Back Better plan. They noted the Department's commitment to taking action to fulfill the federal trust responsibility and strengthen relationships between the United States and Tribal Nations, as well as their personal commitment to bringing more resources to address the housing and infrastructure needs of people living in Indian Country. Secretary Fudge and Deputy Secretary Todman highlighted the launch of HUD's new House America initiative, which in partnership with the White House and the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, will bring together governors, mayors, Tribal leaders, and others to put America on the path to ending homelessness.

They previewed that in the coming weeks, Deputy Secretary Todman will represent the Department in a series of regional roundtables with HUD's six Office of Native American Programs' regions to hear from Tribal Leaders and Tribally Designated Housing Entities about the challenges facing communities around the country.

Tribal Leaders raised issues specifically facing their Tribes and ways that the Department can support their communities in addressing their unique housing needs.

A list of speakers at the roundtable is below:

1. Secretary Marcia L. Fudge
2. Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman
3. Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, Wampanoag Tribe of Gayhead (Aquinnah)
4. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation
5. President Jonathon Nez, Navajo Nation
6. Chairman Aaron Payment, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
7. President Richard Peterson, Tlingit & Haida Tribes of Alaska

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