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NMHC offers help to FAS citizens
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Posted on Dec 03 1999
Due to increase in delinquency of housing payments by citizens of the Freely Associated States, the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation has moved to assist them by carrying out programs that will eventually make them self-sufficient.
According to Mary Lou S. Ada, executive director of NMHC, the housing office has seen a dramatic rise in the inability of FAS citizens to pay subsidized housing due to a recent federal court ruling which disqualified non-U.S. citizens from availing such benefit.
NMHC used to own and operate 157 units under its Section 8 program in which families receive subsidized housing and utility allowances. In addition, vouchers and certificates are also paid out to 81 other low-income families renting in private housing.
Forged in 1986, with the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and Marshalls, the Compact of Free Association agreement has allowed free migration of citizens from the neighboring islands into the United States and its territories, including Guam and the CNMI.
Although there are also locals living in public housing facilities owned by NMHC, a great number are FAS citizens who were taken by surprise when the federal court’s decision was handed down several months ago.
The family self-sufficiency program, Ms. Ada said, was established to help the low-income families get higher education, develop skills and eventually get higher paying jobs.
While NMHC was only able to convince 22 individuals to take GED course, Ms. Ada said she is still happy that they will soon be able to get a high school diploma. “At least this is the beginning of something that will help improve their lives,” she said.
On the other hand, the private homeowners have been regularly paying their mortgage but NMHC is still assisting them by giving them options in case the breadwinner in the family gets sick or suddenly loses his job.
“We want to break the cycle of poverty, improve their lives and get out of public housing. We know this is not going to be easy and we are not giving up,” she said.
