Affordable housing, opportunities for growth

Sandy Beach Homes, which faces the beach side of Chalan Kanoa, features world-class housing that are also affordable and fit the needs of every resident. (Contributed Photo).

Sandy Beach Homes, which faces the beach side of Chalan Kanoa, and Saipan Comfort Homes across the Northern Marianas College both have one thing in common—Triple J Saipan, Inc. Real Estate—and embody the company’s basic tenet, which is about providing quality housing that are also affordable and fit the needs of every tenant. And that involves creating communities of diverse individuals and families that realize and embrace opportunities for growth.

“It is always Triple J’s mission to provide quality services and goods at affordable prices. Our motto, “Customers’ First” is supported by our success in developing and providing comfortable and safe standards of living for individuals and families,” said Triple J Saipan, Inc. Real Estate Division Property Manager Rachel M. Roque.

That requires setting the highest standards in community living and offering modern amenities to all residents for a healthy and wholesome experience that also embodies convenience and peace of mind.

“Available to our residents are resources and opportunities to strengthen family, cultural, and community relationships within our developments,” Roque said.

Affordable housing programs on Saipan are administered as Low Income Housing for Tax Credits (LIHTC) by the U.S. Housing Urban Development (HUD) in conjunction with the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation (NMHC). NMHC receives certain tax credits every year. These credits are awarded to investors for the development of LIHTC projects by companies, such as Triple J and its partners. The Sandy Beach Homes is Triple J’s first such project and was opened in December 2011. It has 60 three-bedroom, two bathroom units, with on-site community features such as nightly security guard services, beachside pavilions, and maintenance services.

The Saipan Comfort Homes, Triple J’s second such property, was opened in March 2017. It has 40 two-bedroom, two bathroom units. Community benefits include a full-sized basketball court, a community pavilion, nightly security guard services, and maintenance services, among many features on-site.

A third Triple J housing project that is currently being built is Ocean Ridge Homes, which is being touted as one that has the best of both worlds of Sandy Beach Homes and Saipan Comfort Home and boasts even more modern aesthetics, while retaining that comfortable island concept.

It is located along Beach Road in Chalan Laulau, next to the current location of Triple J Motors, and faces the Saipan Lagoon.

“Triple J looks forward to the prospects Ocean Ridge Homes will bring for our future residents,” Roque said.

Ocean Ridge Homes is set to be available by January 2020 with 48 three-bedroom, two bathroom units , each consisting of 1,400 square feet. Two of the units will be disability-compliant, built according to the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act. It will also have nightly security guard services.

“A safe community ensures that our tenants are comfortable and encourages families and households to flourish. That is why our ‘Trained and friendly’ leasing and maintenance staff are ready to assist,” Roque said.

And since these properties adhere to federal and local regulations, they have to follow certain standards and criteria. A thorough review process is conducted for each applicant according to federal and local guidelines that includes income limits.

Roque, assisted by Compliance Manager Sophia T. Dela Cruz and Leasing Specialists, Angela Aldan and Mathew Blanco, walk applicants who are interested in renting a unit through the whole process.

Roque said the housing units at all Triple J properties are for lease only and application is open to everyone, whether U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens, who meet the qualifying criteria set by HUD and NMHC. “We do undergo processes to determine if they fall under a certain income limit,” she said. These income limits are published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That means Triple J is federally regulated and works closely with the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation to ensure that all processes are in line with federal regulations, she said.

She assures that all background information that the tenant provides is strictly confidential.

The monthly rental at these properties are based on rent amounts provided by HUD and are subject to change. Monthly rental at Sandy Beach Homes is $789, Saipan Comfort Homes is $652 and the upcoming Ocean Ridge Homes property will have a monthly rent of $730.

According to Triple J Corporate Controller Tracy M. Guerrero, “While income eligibility is only required for the initial 12 month period after being housed, our leasing team takes great pride and efforts to ensure that we are housing those families and individuals who have the most need and who we believe will be a good fit for the Sandy Beach Homes and Saipan Comfort Homes Communities.

For more information on Triple J Real Estate’s affordable housing, call Roque or the Leasing Team at (670) 235-1357 or (670) 235-7263, or email: leasing@triplejsaipan.com.