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363 on Karidat’s waitlist
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Posted on Apr 17 2020
Karidat Social Services has a long waiting list for its rental assistance program due to the COVID-19 pandemic currently gripping the CNMI.
Right now, the waiting list has 363 families asking for help, according to Karidat, which has already spent $40,000 for 98 households.
“We will continue to work our way down the waiting list to assist as many families as we can,” said Karidat executive director Lauri Ogumoro. “We have been trying to assist 25 people per day on the waitlist.”
Due to lack of staff, Karidat has begun a partnership with the United Filipino Organization to distribute canned food during the weekend to those who are in need.
After the CNMI government shut down, most businesses and hotels followed suit and temporarily closed. Due to this, most employees are furloughed or on shortened hours. Most residents in CNMI need help paying bills due to this situation and Karidat is stepping into the breach by helping residents with their rental costs.
Ogumoro hopes for additional funds to come in as soon as possible because a lot of contract workers as well as Public School System employees may need the assistance too.
Emilia (last name withheld on request), 34, of Chalan Kanoa said she is thankful that Karidat has been assisting her family during this pandemic. “It is really a difficult time for all of us here in the CNMI. We must come together to help and be patient,” she said.
Ogumoro would like to remind residents to “stay home, stay safe, and she is very thankful.”
For more information on Karidat’s rental assistance program, call 234-6981.
