The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously passed some important resolutions to aid in  administering half a billion dollars in federal disaster recovery funds. 

GHURA got approval to hire 40 new temporary, full time employees for a 6 year period for the $500.8 million community development block grant program. 

GHURA Executive Director Elizabeth Napoli will have the authority to approve above step pay up to step 10. That means starting salary higher than the standard entry-level pay. 

In addition, Deputy Director Fernando Esteves is officially the Grant Manager of the block grant program, increasing his salary to a total of $120,000 through the funds.

So far, GHURA has submitted an administrative action plan which will give them access to 5% of the award, or $25 million, for admin costs.

They are currently in Phase 1, or the development of the unmet needs assessment. 

This involves the stakeholders and community briefings and feedback on how to best utilize the funds. Those town hall meetings start next week. 

Meantime, briefings with Civil Defense and the Legislature have been scheduled.