$8 million available to upgrade affordable, safe, and stable housing

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The ASG Oversight Office for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has released the Affordable Home Loan Program requirements under the American Samoa ARPA Recovery Plan.

The Oversight Office has designated the Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) as the lead authority for this program, which has been allocated $8 million from American Samoa’s share of ARPA funds.

DBAS is required to submit a proposal for the intended use of the ARPA funds in compliance with the established guidelines, according to the Oversight Office, in releasing documents and requirements on Feb. 18.

The release of information and category requirements for this program comes at a time when there have been public queries — including those received by some lawmakers — about any federal ARPA funds available to help local residents build new homes or even improve existing ones.

ARPA documents give an overview of this program, saying that one of the major on-going issues that needs immediate attention is the “lack of access to affordable, safe, and stable housing.”

It explains that limited resources, lack of access to capital, competition, and high demands for housing assistance have cast a major burden on local households and families.

Additionally, there are very limited and restricted home loan programs and services offered by private banks. “Many have criteria and underwriting requirements that do not always accommodate for low- income households,” the documents said and it confirmed what lawmakers and other officials have said about private banks’ restrictive loan programs in the past years.

The documents point out that the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative impacts have exacerbated housing disparities and home insecurities on island.

“This investment will help address local needs and provide necessary housing assistance for low to moderate income level families and households,” it says.

Background information on the documents point to the American Samoa 2020 Census, which shows a total of 11,807 household units in the territory which is an additional of 844 units or 7.7 percent increase from 2010. “This data supports the need for more available options for housing programs and services,” according to the Oversight Office.

“A visit around the island should provide a clear picture of the dire need for this program. There are homes and neighborhoods that are in dilapidated or deteriorating conditions requiring serious improvements,” it says. “Others are structured or built in such unsafe and unhealthy conditions that are non-compliant with public health guidelines.”

According to the oversight office, this program is reasonable and necessary to develop and improve neighborhoods and communities for a better, safe, and healthy environment.

And this is in support of U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and guidelines for building a strong and healthy community. Additionally, this investment would improve public health and economic outcomes in neighborhoods.

“This program is necessary and cost-effective providing short and long-term benefits for improving and developing local communities,” the Oversight Office said. “Furthermore, it will provide home security and access to long-term affordable, decent and stable homes in American Samoa.”

It also says that there are already quarantine sites and community health centers located throughout the island. However, there is no 100 percent guarantee that those facilities will be sufficient and accessible in a worst-case scenario if a pandemic spreads across the island.

“As recommended by medical professionals in the U.S., in-home quarantine would be the best and only option available to prevent and limit the further spread of the virus,” it says. “This investment is a critical response that will provide the necessary assistance for households to make improvements, upgrades, or new homes for a safe and healthy living environment.”

Documents on the home loan program and requirements are on Oversight Office webpage, [https://www.americansamoa.gov/arpa].