Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) was filled with concerned local people from the Territory that wanted to know more about the Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) MAOTA Affordable Loan Project (MALP) Workshop that was held Friday, March 14, 2025.

DBAS held two sessions for its mandatory workshop, 9 am– 11 am and 12 pm– 3 pm, last Friday. Discussed was the new application process for the Affordable Housing and Renovation Loans program — the MAOTA Affordable Loan Project (MALP) or “Malu Apitaga o tagata Amerika Samoa” Affordable Loan Project — in the Territory.

MALP is funded under the American Rescue Plan Act of American Samoa (ARPA) with additional funds available from the State and Local Funds.

ARPA awarded DBAS a new allocation of $10Mil in December 2024 to create and increase decent and affordable homes across the Territory.

The first allocation for MALP was received in 2022 in the amount of $8Mil, which funded over 245 new homes and home renovations. MALP is a revolving loan fund established to help the community and future applicants.

MALP Funding breakdown is 10% for Administrative Costs and 90% for the Territory’s new homes and renovations.

WORKSHOP

The sessions were full of people of different ages – with the DBAS staff assisting them. As participants entered, there was a sign-in table and a table where they had to provide identification(s) to be able to get a Pass.

Identification would include proof of eligibility for the MALP, which is:

You must be an American Samoa resident;

You must be a U.S. National or a Permanent Resident;

You must be at least 18 years old;

You must be or been employed for one or more consecutive years; and,

You must meet the definition of low-income and moderately low-income based on the definitions provided by the US Department of Treasury —  Final Rule as an implementation of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Final Rule/ SLFRF).

The Pass confirms that an individual attended the workshop, and without it your application is considered incomplete.

Participants receive the Pass and brochures before receiving their application form(s).

DBAS Presenter Ms. Eterei Toilolo explained to the community about MALP — its  goals and objectives, which included its application process, deadline, and what is required to qualify.

Toilolo stated, “that the DBAS MAOTA Affordable Loan Project new application process is now on a ‘first come first served’ basis and application acceptance will start on Monday, March 17, 2025.”

She explained that the applicant is responsible for their own Application, and that each application will have a machine date timestamp on it once DBAS staff verify that the application is complete. The date timestamp will attest to the ‘first come first serve’ basis and the applicant’s place in the approval process.

DBAS MAOTA Loan Terms are 15- 30 years, and its interest rate is 1% for low- income and 2% for moderate low-income. MALP's estimated monthly payments are below $300.

Workshop participants were given the opportunity to ask questions, with DBAS President Ruth S. Matagi, Loan Manager Ms. Faaeteete Sio, Building Inspector Project Manager Mr. Alfred Tautolo, assisting Toilolo with answers. questions.

A concern raised by one of the participants was about the status of those not able to make it to the workshop and therefore not qualified for the DBAS MALP, as workshop attendance is mandatory.

DBAS reiterated “that anyone that did not make it to the workshop is not eligible due to the mandatory workshop attendance requirement, however they do have other options to assist the community and meet their needs.

“All they need to do is to come by our office and see which option is suitable for anyone that did not have the opportunity to attend.”

DBAS Presenter Toilolo noted in her presentation that each application will be reviewed and approval will be based on using the FOUR C’s:

— Capacity to repay based on work/ employment, income.

— Credit rating, which involves a background check of credit history.

— Collateral as in Separation Agreement, or Lease Agreement with a Plot Plan if it’s Communal Land; and, if it’s privately owned land, a Warranty Deed with a Plot Plan.

— Character of the applicant established from previous loans.

Each applicant is to turn in their application together with the appropriate required documents and submit it with the Pass that was distributed on Friday, Mar. 14th.

Deadline for the MALP application submission is March 28, 2025, by 3:00pm.