Ironwood Saipan to open for occupancy soon

Ironwood Saipan is nearly ready for occupancy and has been accepting applications for their low-income housing project.

Ironwood Saipan is nearly ready for occupancy and has been accepting applications for their low-income housing project. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)

Located in Gualo Rai, the housing is expected to be available for renters to move in within the first half of this month. An open house will also be scheduled soon.

According to operations manager Janice Jacob, they are just waiting for the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services to inspect the units before renters could move in.

A total of 80 units will be available, 26 of which are two-bedroom units that measure 772 square feet, 30 three-bedroom units with 1,097 square feet, and 24 four-bedroom units that measure 1,177 square feet per unit.

Each unit has two bathrooms and some closets are already built in.

Four units that boast of wider spaces were made to accommodate people with disabilities. Some features such as sinks were made lower to be accessible to those in wheelchairs and the bathrooms are equipped with handlebars.

All units come with refrigerators, gas stoves, and air-conditioning.

Jacob said they are still finalizing if some units will come semi-furnished.

Each unit also features washer and dryer connections, typhoon-rated windows and typhoon shutters, LED lighting, and their own reverse-osmosis water tanks.

Jacob said the whole community will have 24-hour water service and as well as solar power as an electricity source. They also have backup generators.

The whole area is equipped with security cameras.

“Every angle, every side is covered,” Jacob said.

Outside, a playground, a half-court and two barbecue areas will be available for the Ironwood community to use.

“That’s an added plus because some kids just don’t have anywhere else to play,” Jacob said. “Families can actually stay home and enjoy. It’s not like you just come home from and you go to your room and that’s it.”

A lot of planning went into making sure that amenities will benefit the families. A computer room for residents and an activity room for the community will be opened within the property.

Ample parking spaces are available for unit owners as well.

Applications are ongoing and Jacobs said they’ve received about 20 applications so far. They have already approved about five who are now waiting to move in.

Not everyone, however, can apply for a unit at Ironwood. “It’s for families that fall within a certain income bracket so it’s based on their household size to be able to rent here,” Jacob said.

Annual income limits, ranging from $26,040 for one person to $49,140 for eight persons, are set in place to ensure that homes are allocated to families in need.

Ironwood’s monthly rental rates will be $656 for a two-bedroom unit, $745 for a three-bedroom unit, and $797 for a four-bedroom unit.

Jacob said interested members of the public can come to their office and have a mini-tour of the place. Ironwood can be reached at 233-4348 and is open from 8:30am to 5pm Mondays through Fridays and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays.