Previous Story
Families join self-sufficiency program
|
Posted on Dec 31 1998
Twenty-one families under the Section 8 housing program have enrolled in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program being administered by the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation (NMHC).
“NMHC is pleased to announced that after three years of hard work, our efforts have come into fruition. These families will eventually graduate to become less dependent on federal assistance,” said Marylou Ada, executive director.
“It took us a long time because we’re dealing with individuals and families with varying needs, so we have to be sensitive in drawing up plans that will meet their needs,” she added.
NMHC recently implemented the program which is a mandatory requirement for all public housing tenants.
At first, such participation is only voluntary but due to the uniqueness of the Commonwealth and the lack of programs-services common to other jurisdictions such as mass transportation and child care, NMHC called for more active participation in the program.
Those who enrolled in the FSS program will attend NMC’s GED classes to obtain a high school diploma. Others will be employed at private companies and some will take vocational courses to upgrade their skills.
“We hope these families will become model for other tenants so they too could improve their lives and their families,” Ada said.
The 21 families are the initial enrollees and Ada hopes to encourage and motivate the other 237 families under the public housing program.
“We will fulfill our responsibilities and make sure the 237 families are well taken care of when they get out of public housing. We will work with them to upgrade their skills so they can sustain a decent living,” Ada explained.
“NMHC is on the right track for 1999 because we’ll work hard to bring residents to be economically-independent, a step up on their lives, a step out of public housing and a step into self- sufficiency,” she emphasized.
