(NMHC) — With the amended Memorandum of Understanding officially signed on April 24, 2024 by USDA Rural Housing Service or RHS and the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation, the CNMI now has another funding option to obtain decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing as well as for much needed home repair.
This renewed partnership between NMHC and RHS marks a new chapter in the journey towards addressing the housing needs of the community and NMHC extends its appreciation to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Joaquin Altoro, Rural Housing Services administrator, Chris Kanazawa, state director, Hawaii State Office, and Joe Diego, area director, Western Pacific for making this possible.
As with most federal housing programs, RHS’s single-family housing loan programs’ main target is the low and very low-income residents of the CNMI.
“Since inception, NMHC has diligently worked to provide housing solutions for our community. However, limited funding and resources have hindered our ability to meet the growing demand for affordable housing,” said NMHC Chairwoman Marcie “Merced” M. Tomokane.
“With RHS by our side, we have the opportunity to access much-needed funding and resources to tackle the housing shortage head-on. Through RHS’s single-family housing loan programs, we can provide low and very low-income residents of the CNMI with the opportunity to secure affordable housing solutions,” she added.
“The amended Memorandum of Understanding between NMHC and RHS sets the framework for this partnership, outlining roles, responsibilities, and protocols to ensure the effective administration of housing programs in our islands. With NMHC striving as an RHS-approved intermediary, we can streamline the loan application process, providing families with the support they need to navigate the complexities of securing housing assistance,” added NMHC Corporate Director Jesse S. Palacios.
“But this partnership is not just about loans and paperwork. It’s about people given the opportunity to secure a place to call home and to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones. As soon as we iron out a few pending matters, we’ll be informing the public about the official launching of the programs as well as eligibility and requirements. The loan assistance will be offered and made available on all three islands (Saipan, Tinian, and Rota).”
