Sandy Beach Homes officially opens its doors ahead of schedule

A grand opening celebration on Dec. 16 marked the completion of Sandy Beach Homes, the CNMI’s first affordable housing project under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, two weeks ahead of schedule and a year after breaking ground in Chalan Kanoa.

Members of the project developer, Sandy Beach Homes LLC, and government officials led the ribbon cutting ceremony for the $28.2-million affordable housing development touted as an “unprecedented” project and a “monumental milestone” for the Commonwealth.

“It’s quite amazing that just one year ago, we were gathered here to break ground on an empty lot with just a few heavy equipment around us. And now, one year and 60 units later, Sandy Beach Homes is ready to open,” said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial in his remarks.

Fitial said that Sandy Beach Homes is a “remarkable success story” for the islands and its grand opening nine days before Christmas is “very appropriate.”

“The holidays have taken on the tradition of giving, of sharing, and of hope,” said Fitial. “Sandy Beach will definitely be a new ray of hope for many families in search of affordable homes in the new year.”

Sandy Beach Homes LLC member Juan Carlos Benitez said “it’s a shame” that the Commonwealth has not been taking advantage of the largest and most successful affordable housing program across the nation, as he recounted how they approached the governor and expressed their intent to avail of the LIHTC.

Benitez said Sandy Beach Homes will provide “dignified” housing for low-income families on island.

Sandy Beach Homes has 60 three-bedroom and two-bathroom units on two six-floor buildings that feature energy-efficient design and materials.

Corporate director Joshua Sasamoto of Northern Marianas Housing Program, which administers LIHTC in the Commonwealth, said Sandy Beach is a culmination of a long and hard road for the housing program and a major economic investment that ushered in a new era of affordable housing in the CNMI.

“This project is truly a testament to what we can achieve by working together collaboratively and cohesively,” said Michael Sablan, also a member of Sandy Beach Homes LLC.

Sablan, in an interview, disclosed that conflicts and redundancies in government regulations and “bureaucratic snags” were among the issues that they had to deal with in making sure that the project meets its deadline.

“Because we were up against a very tight deadline that had some serious penalties if we don’t meet the deadline, that sense of urgency pulled everyone together,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.

Friday’s event also featured the presentation of the building keys by Black Micro Corp. senior vice president and general manager Leonard Kaae to Fitial and Triple J senior vice president Jay Jones, representing his father and Triple J chairman and chief executive officer Bob Jones.

Kaae described the over 310,000 man-hours spent to build Sandy Beach Homes as “quite a feat.” He said the project raises the bar for affordable housing in the CNMI, adding that the real benefit of the project is to improve the quality of life of island residents.

After the presentation of the building keys, Fitial, other government officials, Jones and other members of Sandy Beach Homes LLC led the cutting of the ribbon. Refreshments were served after the program.