Bush praises American Indian housing program but plans deep cuts

[Nambe]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(AP)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development plans to cut the budget of an American Indian housing program praised by President Bush during a campaign stop here this week. ..

Bush, during a speech Wednesday in Albuquerque, praised the program as making the American dream available to all. He did not mention plans to cut its money.

"Doesn't it make sense to have public policy aimed at helping people own their own home?" Bush told the Albuquerque crowd of about 1,000. "I can't think of a better use of resources." ..

Bush's proposed budget would reduce the program's annual funding from $5.3 million to $1 million, which would allow it to back $29 million in home loans, according to HUD. ..

The chairman of the National American Indian Housing Council, an Indian housing advocacy group, said Thursday the cuts will stall the program just as it's gaining momentum.

Chester Carl said the program started out slowly but that tribes now understand there's another way to get housing and banks now know they can make loans on tribal land. ,,

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