Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/10/22/04-23666/participation-in-huds-native-american-programs-by-religious-organizations-providing-for-equal
Timestamp: 2017-08-18 13:19:58
Document Index: 781049396

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 954', 'art 954', '§\u2009954', '§\u200992', '§\u20091003', '§\u2009570', '§\u2009954', '§\u2009954', '§\u20091003']

Federal Register :: Participation in HUD's Native American Programs by Religious Organizations; Providing for Equal Treatment of All Program Participants
Participation in HUD's Native American Programs by Religious Organizations; Providing for Equal Treatment of All Program Participants
Docket No. FR-4915-F-02
2577-AC56
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-23666 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/04-23666
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 62164
Of the programs listed above, only the Indian HOME and ICDBG program regulations have sections that specifically address the participation of faith-based organizations. Although the Indian HOME Program was terminated by section 505 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.) (NAHASDA), the regulation at 24 CFR part 954 continues to govern outstanding funds remaining from that program and part 954 would, accordingly, be amended by this final rule. Specifically, the requirements concerning faith-based organizations at § 954.301 are revised to be parallel to the revision made to § 92.257 of the HOME program regulation by the September 30, 2003, final rule. Similarly, § 1003.600 of the ICDBG Start Printed Page 62165regulation is amended to be parallel to the changes made to § 570.200(j) of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by the September 30, 2003, final rule.
7. Commingling of federal and state, local, or tribal funds. If a state, local, or tribal government voluntarily contributes its own funds to supplement federally funded activities, the state, local, or tribal government may segregate the federal funds or commingle them. However, if the funds are commingled, the policies and requirements of this rule would apply to all of the commingled funds. If a state, local, or tribal government is required to Start Printed Page 62166contribute matching funds to supplement a federally funded activity, the matching funds are considered commingled with the federal assistance and subject to the requirements of this proposed rule. Some HUD program requirements govern any project or activity assisted under that program. Accordingly, grantees should consult with the appropriate HUD program office to determine the scope of applicable requirements.
HUD believes that, under current precedent, faith-based organizations that receive HUD funds as the result of the genuine and independent choice of a beneficiary (for example, where the entity administering HUD funds established a voucher, coupon, certificate, or similar funding mechanism) are permitted to offer assistance that integrates religion and social services and requires participation in all aspects of their programs. The religious freedom of beneficiaries in an indirect funding program is protected by the guarantee of genuine and independent private choice. A beneficiary has the right to select any eligible provider, and no beneficiary may be required to receive services from a provider to which the beneficiary has a religious objection. In other words, vouchers for services Start Printed Page 62167funded by the government must be available to eligible beneficiaries regardless of their religious belief, and those who object to a religious provider may select an eligible alternative provider.
Comment: The proposed rule allows the misuse of HUD funds to build structures used for religious purposes. The commenter objected to the use of HUD funds in the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of religious structures. The commenter wrote that the proposed “attribution” requirements would be unenforceable by agencies administering the HUD grant. The commenter offered that, even if the proposed rule could be effectively enforced, it would require such excessive monitoring as to constitute Start Printed Page 62168excessive government entanglement with religious institutions. The commenter wrote that HUD should establish effective safeguards to avoid the misuse of HUD funds and prevent the perceived constitutional pitfalls.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers for the programs affected by this rule are: Indian Home Program—14.239; ICDBG—14.862; Start Printed Page 62169Section 184—14.865; IHBG—14.867; Title VI Loan Guarantee—14.869.
2. Revise § 954.301 to read as follows:
§ 954.301
4. Revise § 1003.600 to read as follows:
(c) A religious organization that participates in the ICDBG program will retain its independence from federal, state, local, and tribal governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, Start Printed Page 62170including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not engage in any inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or services funded under a program or activity pursuant to this part. Among other things, religious organizations may use space in their facilities to provide ICDBG-funded services, without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a religious organization participating in the ICDBG program retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization's name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization's mission statements and other governing documents.