CNMI expects $1.4M US grants for housing

The CNMI government is anticipating the release of more grants from the US government under various federal projects aimed at financing local housing and other development programs, according to the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation.

Executive Director MaryLou S. Ada disclosed close to $1.4 million in overall federal funding has been earmarked to the Commonwealth by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development under its financial year 2001 appropriations.

Of the total amount, $929,000 will come in a form of a Community Development Block Grants; $413,000 would be for Home Investment Partnerships; and $40,000 will be in a form of an Emergency Shelter Grant.

Ms. Ada said the federal grants could be used for a myriad of community development programs that are aimed at benefiting low and moderate income individuals.

Since CDBG requires a grant recipient to certify that it will minimize displacement of persons as a result of activities assisted with program funds, a public hearing will be conducted on Feb. 26, 27 and 28 on Rota, Tinian and Saipan respectively.

The NMHC official pointed out that the CNMI government has been very cautious about undertaking any activity, within the boundaries of the CDBG or other local and federal programs, that will cause displacement of any individual.

“In the event of any unforeseen displacement resulting from any CDBG funded activity, the CNMI government will comply with the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, its implementing regulation and applicable local laws,” she emphasized.

Ms. Ada said the allocation is expected to be released by the HUD to the CNMI government in the next few months, adding that the public hearing would pave the way for the community’s insights to be included on the blueprint of projects that will be undertaken under the CDBG-funded activities.

The federal government earlier extended the implementation of another public housing program in the Northern Marianas to increase home ownership among moderate-income families on the island.

NMHC said making the Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program available to CNMI residents would facilitate the growth of home owners in the Commonwealth.

The program will be implemented here through the Rural Development of the US Department of Agriculture under the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act, which was enacted on Nov. 29, 1990.

The GRH Loan Program will basically cater to moderate-income families although they have stronger repayment ability than those in the lower income bracket, which makes them more capable of obtaining direct loans.

Programs for the moderate-income families are limited in the Commonwealth since majority of the existing public housing programs in the CNMI are geared at assisting low-income families.

Under the GRH Loan Program, residents whose adjusted annual income falls within the limit set for the Commonwealth may seek credit packages for the purchase or construction of a modest house in a rural area.