by Sonya Artero, KUAM News Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Subscribe to Sonya's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

The American dream of owning your own home is just around the corner now that Governor Felix Camacho approved of a landmark partnership that allows low-income families and Chamorro Land Trust Commission applicants the opportunity of home ownership through a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan program.

By signing two memorandum of understandings on behalf of the Guam Housing Corporation and CLTC, Governor Camacho says it helps pave the way to homeownership for those who could never qualify financially. U.S. Department of agriculture rural development state director Lorraine Shin explains just how affordable it is for Chamorro Land Trust recipients to own their own homes. "Based on our percentage of what we can charge, we can charge as low as 1%. So for those who may be eligible to pay 1%. If your home costs approximately $100,000 to build, your mortgage payment can be between $300-$400. Can they afford it? Absolutely," she confirmed.

Just last week, local residents Thomas Sheldon and Arnold Davis filed a civil rights violation complaint against the USDA stating their ineligibility to receive such benefits based on their race is in direct violation of their 14th Amendment rights to fair housing. CLTC director Tom Elliott says despite their complaint, the CLTC will forge on. He told KUAM News, "It doesn't matter what Sheldon or Davis has to say about the Chamorro Land Trust, we are going to proceed with these programs and are going to provide the opportunities for our Chamorro Land Trust recipients to build their dreams and there is nothing Sheldon or Davis can do to stop us, thank you."

Applicants who qualify under the low-income threshold and Chamorro Land Trust applicants can apply at the Guam Housing Corporation office in the ITC Building in Tamuning or call the USDA office for further assistance.