Dilapidated homes that were abandoned, vandalized, graffiti-covered, and in some cases, burned out, in the Sagan Linahyan subdivision in Dededo have been renovated through the Sagan Linahyan Rental Rehabilitation Project.
The project was completed by the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority with $650,000 in funds granted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the community development block grant.
Ten abandoned homes were converted into affordable rental housing for low to moderate income families on Guam.
“You don’t need to be rich to have a good home. A home is a structure that will help protect your family,” shared Dededo Mayor Melissa Savares.
Once the residency permits have been obtained, the Guam Housing Corporation will oversee the operation and maintenance of the affordable rental housing project.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held yesterday in front of one of the freshly refurbished homes. Ray Topasna, GHURA executive director, stated that HUD has granted GHURA another $4.18 million for another year to complete similar projects.
Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Senator Tina Muna Barnes, Senator Mana Silva Taijeron, and representatives from the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, Guam Housing Corporation, HUD, and US Department of Administration were present to celebrate the occasion.
The ground breaking for the Sagan Linahyan Rental Rehabilitation Project was held in August.
Sagan Linahyan was built to house those displaced in the aftermath of Supertyhoon Omar in 1992. Families who were unable to pay off the cost of the land eventually abandoned their homes.
