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NMHC voucher program to re-open
The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. aims to re-open its Section 8 voucher program due to its low waiting list count.
Last Monday, the NMHC held a public hearing to discuss its Streamlined 5-year Annual PHA Plan.
To successfully transition into the next five-year plan, NMHC is required by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development to have about 500 new applicants on the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waiting list in order to grant NMHC the funding to continue to run the program.
Unfortunately, there are currently only 108 families on NMHC’s waiting list and is in need of over 300 more before the start of the next fiscal year.
On Monday NMHC will re-open the Section 8 voucher program that was closed early on in the last five-year plan so families can start filling out applications.
The Section 8 voucher program aids low-income families in their housing needs. The Section 8 program allows private landlords to rent apartments and homes at fair market rates to qualified low-income tenants, with a rental subsidy.
According to NMHC director Jesse Palacios, NMHC has been troubled with the recent response rates received from families on the waiting list and encourages families to make sure that all contact information are correct so that they do not miss the opportunity to avail of a voucher.
Palacios said that in the last four years, 315 vouchers have been given out and there are 48 more to be given.
Interested voucher applicants may visit the NMHC starting on Monday, June 23, to fill out an application.
