SAIPAN’S classification as an “urbanized area” will not affect federal housing loans, according to Howard Macaranas, rural community development manager of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Macaranas said the U.S. Census Bureau used a different category for Saipan and Hagåtña.
“Saipan is still eligible for USDA rural housing development loans. It still carries the characteristics of being a rural area,” said Macaranas, adding that the head office has not issued any notification of possible changes in funding.
USDA, according to Macaranas, provided almost $500,000 in housing loan assistance in fiscal year 2001 through a partnership with Northern Marianas Housing Corp. NMHC acts as USDA’s trustee.
The U.S. Census Bureau created a category for an urbanized area in island areas or territories.
Saipan and Hagåtña were the designated capitals of Guam and the CNMI.
Based on the results of Census 2000, Saipan is now one of the 466 “urbanized areas” in the U.S. and its territories.
Saipan used to be a rural area based on Census 1990.
