Despite great progress, there are still many Indians and Alaska Natives who are living in substandard housing, which in some cases are truly appalling conditions. Our Indian housing practice is focused in its efforts to assist tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) realize better living conditions for their people.
Hobbs Straus assists tribes and TDHEs with carrying out programs under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). Our attorneys have participated in NAHASDA negotiated rulemaking sessions and have represented clients in the NAHASDA reauthorization process. We work closely with our clients on all facets of statutory and regulatory compliance including advising clients on landlord-tenant and personnel processes; assisting with procurement; providing advice and representation regarding fair housing and prevailing wage requirements; and assisting with Title VI loan guarantees and other financing.
From policy development to pragmatic affairs, our firm has the experience necessary to help clients establish and implement housing program policies and procedures such as tenant and homebuyer selection, waiting list procedures, rents and occupancy standards, disabled access, housing management and maintenance, termination and eviction, and personnel issues. Additionally, when our clients must enter into business arrangements with non-Indian companies, contractors, or grantors, Hobbs Straus is often involved in re-drafting form contract documents from these non-Indian entities, bringing our knowledge on the unique legal issues involved in doing business in Indian Country to the table.
We believe in providing our clients with many legal options, and we seek to resolve disputes, whenever possible, through negotiation and settlement. Where matters cannot be resolved through negotiation, however, we represent tribes and TDHEs in litigation.
