The Senate Indian Affairs Committee voted last month to pass S.1352, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2013.

NAHASDA, which was first passed in 1996, expired in September 2013. The reauthorization will keep Indian housing programs up and running for another five years.

“Currently American Indians make up 8 percent of the nation’s homeless population, despite being only 1 percent of the general population. Nearly 25 percent live in housing units that have severe structural need,” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), the chairwoman of the committee, said in a press release. “This bill is critical to ensuring that all tribes and their members are provided safe and affordable housing, and that housing programs meet the needs of tribal members well into the future.”

“I’m looking forward to working with Chairman Cantwell on reauthorizing the NAHASDA, a bill that will assist tribes and their members throughout Indian Country. This legislation will help address Indian housing development issues, reduce bureaucracy and improve project administration,” added Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), the vice chair of the committee.

The House has yet to consider H.R.3418, its version of the bill.

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