By Billy Trice Jr.

President Obama recently signed H.R.205 known as the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act(HEARTH) which will
improve housing conditions for American Indians as well as boosting their economic development on reservations. It will also help them build their homes as well as approving development for other projects.

Under the HEARTH Act, American Indians will develop their own leasing regulations and if approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs(BIA), they won’t have to go back for every single project to the agency.

National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel was present for the signing of the law and said in a statement, “This is a very good new law for tribal self-determination. …This will streamline business development and housing development and create jobs on reservations across the country.”