HUD News

On September 27th and 28th, the Tohono O’odham Nation in Tucson, Arizona will host Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio, and other senior officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC) meeting. This two-day event will center on addressing Tribal housing issues and exploring ways the Biden-Harris Administration can cater to the housing needs of Native American communities.

The initial day of the event will center on discussions about HUD resources allocated for Indian Country. Topics will include infrastructure and development, policy and programs related to homeownership, special needs and homelessness, along with policy development and research. The second day will include a series of site visits to tribal communities in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

HUD’s Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said, “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. 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 not only formed its TIAC in November 2022 but also announced its creation at the White House Tribal Nations Summit. There are plenty of federal agencies that have tribal advisory committees to allow the tribal leaders to provide input on departmental policies before the policies are adopted and implemented. The main idea behind this is to ensure that tribal leaders have a voice in all policy matters affecting their communities. 

Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman said, “Under the leadership of Secretary Fudge, HUD’s Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee helps us to address the unique concerns of Indian Country. 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 federal agencies, HUD strives to maintain its government-to-government relationship with tribal nations. This legal and political relationship respects the right to self-government and self-determination. Tribal Advisory Committees facilitate the development of relationships between Federal agencies and Tribal communities, assisting in the crafting of policies that effectively address the specific needs of these communities.