FEMA approves NMI request for permanent home construction

Super Typhoon Yutu struck the islands of saipan and Tinian on Oct. 26, 2018, destroying 462 homes on Saipan and 70 on Tinian. Additionally, 317 homes on Saipan and 113 on Tinian were classified to be majorly damaged post-Yutu. On Oct. 27, 2018, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres received confirmation that the CNMI government’s request for a major disaster declaration was approved by President Donald J. Trump, triggering federal assistance including various Individual Assistance programs for residents who were impacted by the super typhoon.

In the wake of Yutu, the ability of survivors to move forward with short and long-term housing plans continued to be challenged. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency persisted in working with the CNMI to support survivors through other housing options, FEMA determined that no other forms of Temporary Housing Assistance were accessible, feasible or cost-effective, and that the housing need exceeded resources available. To aid in the high demand for housing solutions, on Nov. 16, 2018, FEMA approved the CNMI’s request for Permanent Housing Construction in the form of direct repair and new construction assistance.

Permanent Housing Construction is a unique FEMA Individual Assistance program, and as such, is a very rare opportunity presented to disaster survivors; often only offered in insular areas were commodities, resources and manpower are limited. Yutu survivors who are eligible for the PHC program are provided assistance in the form of brand-new constructed homes that will be built to standard with the CNMI’s latest adopted International Building Codes, including a fully constructed concrete home featuring typhoon-proof shutters, backup water tanks and kitchens with the ability to be enclosed for security purposes. New construction is provided to each eligible resident in lieu of financial assistance from FEMA.

Upon FEMA’s approval for PHC, FEMA immediately began contacting eligible survivors with program details and the option to accept or decline enrollment into the program. As PHC is limited to Real Property improvements, contents such as furniture and home appliances will not be provided, and as such, will be the responsibility of the homeowners who have chosen to opt-in into the PHC program. Electrical hook-ups required for appliance installation, however, will be made available by the contractor selected by FEMA, so that in the event homeowners have appliances ready for installation, the electrical outlets will be ready for use.

PHC-Repair Assistance was also authorized for Saipan and Tinian residents who incurred a specific FEMA-verified Loss amount. The approval prompted federal aid for home repairs to be provided. Assistance may be available 18 months following the date of declaration. Like that of the new construction program, FEMA will also be performing repairs necessary to restore the pre-disaster residence to the CNMI’s latest adopted International Building Codes also limited to real property eligible under FEMA’s Housing Assistance program. Before approval, FEMA ensures that repairs are necessary to make the home, safe, sanitary and functional. Repair costs must be reasonable and are determined on a case-by-case basis as no two needs are the same. The period of assistance ends in April 2020.

To gauge the number of interested participants for the PHC program, the CNMI government with the support of FEMA, hosted a series of New Home Construction and Home Repair seminars on both Saipan and Tinian which began in February 2019. In these seminars, eligible residents were introduced to the different home layouts, features, construction timelines and advantages of opting in to program. At the end of each seminar, residents were also given the opportunity to raise any concerns or ask questions related to PHC.

Between Saipan and Tinian, 941 households collectively have been deemed potentially eligible for the new construction and home repair programs with the latest numbers indicating that 200 households have decided to opt-in into new construction, and 135 choosing to be a participant of the home repair program. A total of 61 households have decided to opt-out from the new construction program while 80 households will be opting out of the home repair program. Some residents who have qualified for the program have yet to make a decision on whether or not they will be participating while those who have not opted in or out are awaiting to attend the PHC seminars. Residents who have qualified for PHC have up until Friday, March 22, 2019, to notify FEMA of their decision to participate or choose to decline the opportunity and accept cash assistance in the amount of their FEMA-verified Loss.

Torres recognizes this opportunity comes as a result of the hard work of key members under the CNMI government and FEMA. Because of its rarity, Torres urges all who qualify under the program to participate. “We encourage our affected residents to take advantage of this unique opportunity that not only provides a brand-new home, but one that is built to last. While this won’t be the last storm the Marianas will face, we are called to take proactive measures to build better for our families. Our partners at FEMA continue to be dedicated to our community, and it’s because of this partnership that we will be a stronger Marianas.”

Construction of new homes under PHC is slated to begin as early as June 2019 and May 2019 for home repairs. New home construction and home repairs will be of no cost to residents who have qualified. As a reminder to residents, qualification under the PHC program is granted on a case-by-case basis. Those deemed qualified will be contacted by FEMA. (PR)