Mafnas and her team made a presentation on the allocation of approximately $244 million that the Commonwealth recently received from the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program.
The CDBG-DR funds are broken down into five categories: housing programs, infrastructure programs, economic revitalization, planning, and administration.
Over $113.3 million, or 46%, is allocated for housing programs; more than $105.8 million, or 43%, for infrastructure; $8.66 million, or 4%, for economic revitalization; under $4 million, or 2%, for planning; and a little over $12 million, or 5%, for administration.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the NMHC CDBG-DR action plan in October.
The funds are to be used to address unmet needs following Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu, which hit the three main islands of the CNMI in September and October 2018.
Rotary Club of Saipan president Sonya Dancoe, left, and Northern Marianas Housing Corporation deputy director Zenie Mafnas, right, converse following the Rotary meeting at the Hyatt on Tuesday. Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
Currently, NMHC is identifying and securing local funding and support with the assistance of the administration.
NMHC is also working on securing required staffing and office space.
In addition, NMHC is working closely with HUD, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the governor’s authorized representative, and public assistance officials.
NMHC is working with government agencies in obtaining and completing disaster recovery requirements, such as project scope of work and environmental assessments.
Twelve staff members have been hired by NMHC to oversee the CNMI’s CDBG-DR grant.
In an interview, Mafnas said the agency is looking to hire additional staff to have a complete team of 45 personnel.
She said 7% of the grant goes toward paying the 45 staff members who will be working under the CDBG-DR program.
This amounts to roughly $16 million out of $244 million awarded to the CNMI.
Between now and late January, NMHC will perform public outreach and education to raise awareness on grant application requirements.
Critical applications or requests will be addressed first.
Mafnas said the CNMI was awarded an additional over $1 million by the HUD under the Emergency Solutions Grants or ESG Program in July. Qualified and approved applicants will receive assistance for one year and this includes 100% rental assistance, security deposit, utility deposit and utility allowance assistance for up to six months in arrears.
