The "Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026" reauthorizes the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) for fiscal years 2026 through 2032, aiming to modernize and streamline housing assistance programs for Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiians, promoting greater self-determination and improving housing conditions across tribal lands. A key focus is the consolidation and streamlining of environmental review requirements for NAHASDA and other HUD grants, introducing exemptions for small affordable housing projects, non-federal funded acquisitions, and minor rehabilitation. The bill also provides specific waivers for radon testing, lead testing in remote areas, and siting near certain hazards. It clarifies that rent rules apply only to units owned or operated by an Indian Tribe or tribally designated housing entity (TDHE), empowering recipients to establish their own rent and homebuyer payment policies. The legislation expands eligible activities to include college housing assistance and facilitates homeownership by allowing conversion of rental units to lease-purchase for current low-income tenants. It extends the maximum leasehold interest on trust or restricted lands for housing from 50 years to 99 years , offering long-term stability for development. Administrative efficiency is further improved by setting a 60-day deadline for HUD to act on requests to exceed total development cost maximums, with automatic approval if no response. Significant amendments are made to the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program and the Section 184A Loan Guarantees for Native Hawaiian Housing , expanding eligibility to fee simple lands, allowing refinancing, and adding Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) as eligible lenders. These programs are reauthorized through 2032, and a direct guarantee process for qualifying lenders is introduced to expedite approvals. Indian Tribes, TDHEs, and Tribal Organizations are also qualified as community-based development organizations for new housing construction under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. A crucial new provision establishes the Tribal HUD-VASH program , dedicating at least 5 percent of HUD-VASH rental assistance funds to provide housing and supportive services for homeless or at-risk Indian veterans. This program allows for necessary modifications to effectively serve tribal communities, and integrates TDHEs into the Continuum of Care (CoC) program for addressing homelessness, providing civil rights exemptions for tribal projects and allowing waivers to enhance tribal participation. To reduce administrative burdens, the bill authorizes the Secretary to develop policies allowing Indian Tribes and TDHEs to submit one consolidated annual performance report for all grants received from HUD. It also waives federal housing counseling certification requirements for Indian Tribes, TDHEs, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, while making these entities eligible for housing counseling grants. Finally, the bill explicitly exempts housing activities carried out by Indian Tribes and other Tribal entities from the Build America, Buy America Act requirements, further streamlining project implementation.