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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Pinto

DATE TYPED 02/09/05 HB

SHORT TITLE Navajo Nation Indigent Veterans Housing

SB 752

ANALYST Weber

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$1,750.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Indian Affairs (DIA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 752 appropriates $1.75 million from the general fund to the Indian Affairs Depart-

ment to provide housing in New Mexico for indigent veterans on the Navajo Nation.

Significant Issues

The Indian Affairs Department reports that according to the Department of Navajo Veterans Af-

fairs (DNVA), with this appropriation, fifty (50) homeless veterans would be provided a housing

unit at $35,000 per unit. According to DNVA, there is currently a need for housing for over 650

Navajo veterans residing in New Mexico. The unemployment rate of Navajo veterans is at least

60% and approximately 10% of Navajo veterans are requesting housing assistance. Many of

these veterans are homeless, elderly, handicap/disabled or are otherwise on a fixed income and

do not have the means to finance a home.

Out of the current Navajo Nation population of 250,000, there are more than 16,000 Navajo vet-

erans that have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War I. Members of the Navajo Na-

tion did not become U.S. citizens until 1924, although many Navajos enlisted to defend our

country in major wars even before they became citizens. Since World War II, Navajo veterans

Senate Bill 752 -- Page 2

have had and continue to have difficulties in receiving VA benefits and services they are entitled

to. Many of these veterans have lost benefits due to isolation, remoteness, and lack of facilities

or infrastructure on the Navajo Nation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $1.75 million contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert to the

general fund.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

MW/yr