Sandy Beach Homes now accepting applications

 Beginning today, applications will be accepted from qualified tenants for Sandy Beach Homes, the first low-income housing project in the CNMI to avail of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

An open house event was held Saturday so that members of the community can take a look at the two model units.

Michael S. Sablan of Sandy Beach Homes LLC said in an interview that they hired the services of Catherine Rosario Perry to act as their leasing agent for the 60-unit housing project that is scheduled to be completed by December.

“All interested or prospective applicants, please call our leasing agent so they can come in and take a look at our units,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune at the roof topping off ceremony last Sept. 9.

Sablan added that applicants can also download application forms or get more information about Sandy Beach Homes through their website, www.sandybeachhomes.net.

Sandy Beach Homes LLC managing member Bob Jones and other officials, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, representatives of the Legislature, the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., and other government agencies attended Friday’s event, which ended up with only a brief program and the viewing of the model units due to heavy rains during the ceremony.

Fitial, in his remarks, described Sandy Beach Homes as an “unprecedented” project. Aside from taking advantage of the LIHTC program, the $28.2-million project has also spurred economic development in the Commonwealth and created permanent employment opportunities.

Jones said Sandy Beach Homes units feature Energy Star appliances; double-paned, insulated windows; solar hot water system; reverse osmosis system for drinkable water; ceramic tiles; cable ready units; typhoon shutters; and ocean view balcony.

Other amenities include trash chutes on every floor, covered and off-street parking, back-up water supply and generator, two elevators in the building, security cameras, and its central location.

“All the things that you have in your homes or would like to have in your model homes are in these units. We’re doing this in a way that would make us all proud,” said Jones.

Sablan emphasized that U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for individuals who are interested in dwelling in Sandy Beach Homes.

“As long as the tenant is on island with legal status, they qualify,” he said.

According to Sablan, interested applicants can also form a household and share one unit. “House members don’t have to be related to each other. Two families can pool their resources together and share a three-bedroom unit as long as they meet the income eligibility and household limit,” he explained.

Maximum household annual income per household is capped at $28,620 for two persons; $32,220 for three persons; $35,760 for four persons; $38,640 for five persons; and $41,520 for six persons.

Sablan noted that the low-income eligibility is within a 15-year compliance period as “required by the law that created this program.”
For more information, email leasing@sandybeachhomes.net or call 235-SAND (7263).