SAIPAN — Saipan residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Super Typhoon Sinlaku can now apply for a federally funded emergency tent through the Office of the Mayor of Saipan, with applications available under the federal emergency declaration EM-3645-MP.
The two-part application process requires residents to complete a Mayor’s Office Emergency Tent Application and sign a FEMA Right of Entry form authorizing federal and CNMI government representatives to access the property and install a temporary structure. The program is administered through FEMA and the Department of War in coordination with the CNMI government.
The tent application asks for basic household information including the names and ages of all household members, a description of how the typhoon affected the family and what needs remain unmet, and a hand-drawn map of the property showing the house location, nearby landmarks, street name and village. Applicants must be the head of household.
The Right of Entry form, issued under Emergency EM-3645-MP, grants access to the property for inspection and tent installation. Debris around the site will be cleared before a tent is placed. Residents should be aware that tents are temporary protective measures, not permanent housing, and that the property owner is responsible for removing the tent and any remaining debris when the program ends. The agreement expires six months after signing or when installation is complete, whichever comes first.
Property owners who sign the Right of Entry agree to hold the federal government harmless from liability related to the inspection or installation process. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to an authorized government representative and require at least three days to process. Phone and verbal cancellations are not accepted.
Applications are available at the Office of the Mayor of Saipan at 2799 Teer Drive Suite A. The office can be reached at (670) 234-6208 or at saipanmayor.cnmi.gov.
Residents are also encouraged to separately apply for FEMA individual assistance under disaster declaration FEMA-4910-DR-CNMI at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or (671) 735-1050, or through the FEMA mobile app.
