by Fili Sagapolutele

Samoa News Correspondent

The Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) has set two workshops today and tomorrow (Wednesday) for Tutuila island at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium for it’s “MAOTA” Affordable Home Loan Project (AHLP), which is funded with $8 million from American Samoa’s multi-million dollar allocation under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, and DBAS has already allocated how this funding is to be spent.

Today’s sessions are set for 9a.m. to 10a.m. and the second one is 12p.m to 1p.m. These are also the two session times for the workshops tomorrow for Tutuila island— all at the Lee Auditorium. The public may attend any of the sessions and it is noted that wearing a mask is required. Those in attendance can also ask questions.

The ASG’s Oversight Office for ARPA announced last year the $8 million allocated for the AHLP, which DBAS dubbed as “Maota” which stands for “Malū Apitaga O Tagata Amerika Samoa”, and translates into secure and safe homes for the people of American Samoa.

In its July 30 update for its Performance Report summarizing the progress of all local projects funded with ARPA money, the Oversight Office said DBAS has started implementation of the MAOTA project —with the first Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and application requirements published online and in the local newspaper, a well as on television, and radio on June 13, 2022.

Thereafter, DBAS conducted public meetings with residents of Tutuila on June 21 at the Lee Auditorium where 118 members of the community attended.

DBAS also held general meetings with the residents of Manu’a on June 23 at EOB Ta’u with nine members of the community; on June 24, 2022 at the CCCAS Fitiuta Hall with five members of the community; and on June 25, 2022 at Siua’i Guest House, Faleasao with 16 members of the community.

According to the report, implementing the AHLP will provide high-quality primary residence living units in a safe and healthy environment in Manu’a, Tutuila Districts in three years collaborating with various government and private agency stakeholders.

Further, the AHLP will be a timely and proportional response to the COVID-19 health emergency and its negative impact. Therefore, DBAS developed the MAOTA project to build new single-family housing units and renovate existing home structures.

The project will achieve the following goals and objectives as listed in ARPA:

•           To develop viable communities by providing decent and affordable homes for low-income families or households.

•           To create and increase a suitable living environment within the community.

•           To expand economic development opportunities primarily for persons of low and moderate-income.

•           To increase the number of quality affordable homes across the Territory.

The MAOTA project “is an initiative and an effort for impoverished families to afford not just a safe and stable dwelling structure but a home where family members feel assured of are and love especially at times when families are facing the negative impact of a life-threatening pandemic,” said DBAS in a statement posted on its website about this project.

“In addition, the homes will include [federal] Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility for low-income and moderate-income households with persons with special needs,” it says.

DBAS also outlined the budget spending of the $8 million, with 90% — or $7.2 million of the funds to perform new construction and renovation throughout the territory, while 10% — or $800,000 — is set aside for administrative costs.

The Oversight Office performance report also shows the same information and notes that for the continuation of the MAOTA project, DBAS will continue to charge 10% of program income annually after three years to ensure sustainability of this revolving home loan fund.

Of the $7.2 million, the DBAS budget shows 25%  — or $1.8 million — is allocated for “new homes & renovations” for the Manu’a District. For home “renovations on Tutuila island, $1.62 million is allocated for this purpose; and $1.89 million each for “new home construction.

The Oversight Office report states that ARPA funds are allocated to develop this project in the form of an affordable bearing loan to construct new single-family-owner occupied units and renovate existing structures.

An affordable equitable interest rate will be charged as follows: Low-income 1.0% and Moderate-income 2.0%.

To determine a potential loan borrower’s income eligibility, DBAS will use the income limits as provided by the U.S. Treasury based on the definitions of low-income and moderate-income households.

The DBAS “MAOTA” project information is online at: (www.dbas.gov) or contract Eterei Toilolo at 633-4031.