The Housing Choice Voucher Program pays rental subsidies so that eligible families can afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing. NMHC administers and manages 363 vouchers throughout the CNMI which are located on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Under this program, families select and rent privately-owned, scattered units that meet the program Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

If NMHC approves the family’s unit and tenancy, NMHC will contact the owner to make the rent subsidy payment on behalf of the family. However, NMHC may not approve a tenancy unless the rent is reasonable. In addition, the subsidy is based on the Payment Standards established by NMHC, that reflects the cost of the unit in the local housing market.

The family may rent a unit anywhere within its jurisdiction where the PHA runs the program. To receive the assistance, the family selects a suitable unit; after approving the tenancy, NMHC enters into a contract to make the rental subsidy payment to the owner to subsidize occupancy by the family.

Once NMHC executes the contract with the owner, it will only cover a single unit and specific assisted family. If the family moves out of the leased unit, the contract with the owner is terminated. The family may move to another unit with the continued assistance, as long as the family is complying with the program requirements.

The New Construction/Multifamily Program is similar to the Housing Choice Voucher Program except that families select and rent units that are owned by NMHC and are located in scattered housing subdivisions. NMHC currently manages a total of 132 housing units which are located on the islands of Saipan (Mihaville Estates and Koblerville Estates), Tinian (Broadway), and Rota (Blue Bay Homes).

These programs assist families in paying the Fair Market Rent of 30% of their adjusted income or 10% of their gross income, whichever is greater. Low income families will be required to pay a minimum rent of $25.00 per month unless the family requests and qualifies for a waiver exemption for the minimum rent requirement. Families without income will be fully subsidized and the program pays the entire contract rent.

Applications are available on the “Forms” section of the resource tab.

The Northern Marianas Housing Corporation (NMHC) is tasked by CNMI Public Law 11-38 to enforce Fair Housing in the Commonwealth. You may access the information regarding Fair Housing by clicking on the links below: 

CNMI Public Law 11-38

Federal Fair Housing Guide Book

THE FAIR HOUSING ACT PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING BECAUSE OF:

• Race or color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18)
• Disability
• What Housing Is Covered?
• The Fair Housing Act covers most housing.

EXCEPTIONS TO FAIR HOUSING ACT:

Owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members. See

IF YOU THINK YOUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Discrimination Complaint Form is available for you to download, complete and return, or complete online and submit, or you may write HUD a letter, or telephone the HUD Office nearest you. See http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination. You have one year after an alleged violation to file a complaint with HUD, but you should file it as soon as possible.

If you would like, you can fill out the Fair Housing Online Complaint form.

WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL:

Send the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form to:

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204 451 Seventh St.
SW Washington, DC 20410-2000