NMHC continues to assist homeless, low-income community members

Lately there has been a small increase in low-income families and homeless individuals in the CNMI. As a temporary solution to the problem the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. is helping families and individuals on their housing needs.

According to NMHC deputy corporate director Zenie P. Mafnas, homeless individuals are being served under the Emergency Solutions Grant Program that was developed back in 2011, which offers financial assistance to people who are at the risk of being homeless or are literally homeless.

Mafnas said that financial assistance through the program includes monthly rental payments, a 100 percent assistance, utility deposit assistance, and utility payments assistance for a period of 10 months.

“Throughout their participation in the program, the assigned case manager from the Karidat Social Services, conducts quarterly visits to the households to keep abreast on the type of efforts the households are taking to get back on their feet and to sustain housing,” she said.

Due to limited funding from the ESG, which the average given amount per year is $65,000, a total of 14 households are being assisted by NMHC, some of which have already ended their participation in the program.

A former homeless woman who wants to remain anonymous told Saipan Tribune that she was in the program before, and now has a steady job. While she is still struggling a little, she said she is grateful for the program that has gotten her out of sticky situations.

She said that she did not beg, but sought food from leftovers at parties during the weekends at beach areas. She also said that she drank faucet water a couple of times, she then sought NMHC for help.

Mafnas noted that the program is successful, since the success rate is at 50 percent.

“Half of the assisted households were able to stabilize their housing situations before entering the program. Some of the situations include living in the streets, beach areas, and in substandard housing,” Mafnas said.

For low-income families, they must meet the low-income threshold, according to Mafnas. NMHC corporate director Jesse Palacios said that the low-income threshold under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Multi-Family housing for a family of four, their income cannot exceed $48,900.

Section 8 Housing Assistance Program is a federal program that provides housing assistance to very low and low-income families through funding from the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. Minimum rent set by this program is at $25 per month if qualified for a waiver exemption.

Palacios said that there are 48 units at Mihaville, near the hospital, Koberville Estates, 20 on Broadway on Tinian, and 30 on Liyo on Rota.

He also said that 46 out of the 48 units are being occupied at Mihaville, 33 of the units in Kobervilled, 19 out of 20 occupied on Tinian, and nine out of 30 on Rota.

Low Income Housing Tax Credits is also one of the programs that NMHC provides in assisting with the development of low-income rental housing by providing qualified owners with credit to offset their federal tax obligations, which means is qualified for developers or owners of buildings and projects that meet certain low income occupancy and rent restrictions.

Sandy Beach Homes is part of the LIHTC that was mostly funded by a cash grant from U.S Department of Treasury, and is required to comply with the income limits as set forth by Housing and Urban Development.

“No high-income families are allowed to occupy any of the units [Sandy Beach Homes]. NMHC has reviewed their tenants and all files have been found to be in compliance to IRS and Treasury regulations and requirements,” he said.

Mafnas said that NMHC has focused, since 2013 on assisting households who are eligible under the literally homeless category, who have zero income.

“We will continue assisting those of low-income, very low income, or no income if NMHC qualifies them for the programs,” Palacios said.