Availment of U.S. housing assistance up

A strong manifestation of hard economic times, the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation has reported a significant increase in the number of CNMI families who have availed the Section-8 Housing Assistance Program during the last two years.

CNMI Housing Manager Diana P. Crisostimo said more than 200 families throughout the Northern Marianas are now enjoying the benefits of the federally funded Section-8 Program, which provides housing assistance to very low and low-income families.

More than 100 families are currently renting units at NMHC-administered subdivisions in Garapan, Mihaville and Koblerville on Saipan, and on Tinian and Rota, Ms. Crisostimo said in an interview.

At the same time, she added that over a hundred other families are enrolled under the Voucher and Certificate Program, wherein the beneficiaries are living in privately-owned apartments of their choice.

She explained that the amount shouldered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development depends on the income level of the family. The program assists in paying the fair market rent 30 percent of their adjusted income or 10 percent of their gross income, whichever is greater.

However, in cases when families do not have any source of income at all, the Section-8 Housing Assistance Program fully subsidizes them and pays the entire contract rent.

Development Authority Board Chair John S. Tenorio said the federally-funded program has been implemented to primarily cater to families of lower income bracket that are not able to afford owning a home.

Mr. Tenorio said the Section-8 Housing Assistance Program earmarks housing funds for indigent local families who are sheltered in an apartment or for-rent houses of their choice on a specific amount.

CDA Executive Director Marylou S. Ada said the lending agency has been helping apartment owners cope with the hard economic times by referring to them U.S. citizens signed under the federal government’s Certificate and Voucher Program.

Ms. Ada said CDA has been giving recipients of housing benefits under the Housing and Urban Development, or Section-8 tenants, the chance to choose which apartment they would want to live in.

Under the program, the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation interviews low-income families and inform them how much money they can get for housing assistance from the federal government.

Since apartment rental fees are cheaper nowadays, Ms. Ada said most of the beneficiaries of the HUD housing assistance program have chosen to live in apartments.