by Mindy Aguon
Guam - The U.S. Department
of Agriculture and the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority's board of
directors are coming out voicing their support of the Sagan Bonita development
in Mangilao. As KUAM News reported on Wednesday, GHURA executive director Marcel
Camacho was critical of the project and the delays associated with the
construction of the remaining thirteen homes.
Today USDA area director Joe Diego said he is satisfied with
the affordable housing development and the partnership between his agency and Micronesian
Self Help and Carlos Camacho. "We believe in the project. We believe that
the inventory of affordable homes is necessary," he stated. "Now we
have 43 families that are realizing the American dream of home ownership. I feel this type of hybrid financing is
really an excellent model to use to address the affordability and the lack of
inventory of affordable housing out there."
The GHURA board meanwhile issued a press release this
afternoon making it clear that they do not share the executive director's
comments and concerns calling them "unprofessional and uncalled
for". The board commended the work
of Carlos Camacho and his successful efforts to produce good housing developments
for the island community.
Board chair Dave Sablan confirms that the issues regarding Sagan
Bonita are being addressed with the developer and GHURA staff.
