Previous Story
NMHC coalition to do a count of homeless in NMI
The CNMI Homeless Coalition that provides services that seeks to combat homelessness and at-risk homelessness of CNMI families will be having its first ever homeless count on Saipan this Saturday, April 8, 2017.
The survey results will be published later. The count would then be conducted on an annual basis on Saipan.
If funding allows, the coalition plans to also reach out to the islands of Rota and Tinian in future counts.
The coalition is a non-profit group under the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. that aims to lower the number of homeless people in the Marianas.
The purpose of the survey—called Point in Time Homeless Count—is for the coalition to obtain data on exactly how many people in the Commonwealth are homeless. These include people who live on the streets, in abandoned buildings, parks, and in houses that do not reach the standard of a livable home as defined by the Housing Act of 2009—“sound, internally and externally, with roof, roofing tiles and slates, windows, floors, ceilings, walls, stairs, doors, skirting boards, fascia, tiles on any floor, ceiling and wall, gutters, down pipes, fittings, furnishings, gardens and common areas maintained in good condition and repair and not defective due to dampness or otherwise.”
On April 8, coalition volunteers and members will visit Saipan villages that are identified to harbor the most number of homeless and will be offering a survey to the neighborhood to determine how many people are homeless and are living in homes that do not meet the standard.
This survey is a requirement by the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development for every community that receives federal funds for programs to aid the homeless, particularly the Continuum of Care Grant, a grant that the CNMI Homeless Coalition plans to submit in September 2017.
On April 6, the coalition will be meeting with its members and with volunteers to discuss which village each person will be placed at.
The Homeless Count will take place from 7am to 5pm on Saturday.
The coalition and the NMHC are seeking the help of volunteers or donations for the success of the first homeless count on Saipan. For those who ant to volunteer, email Jacob Muna at jjmuna@nmhc.gov.mp or contact him at 234-7689.
