by Michele Catahay

Guam - Just recently the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority scrapped plans and negotiations to build more units at the Guma Trankilidat area. But now GHURA is looking at another alternative not only to house our man'amko, but to provide affordable housing for families.

The agency had initially planned to expand the Guma Trankilidat area from 49 units to about 200 in order to provide more housing for the island's elderly. The multistory housing plan first came up back in 2008. Since then it had caused much controversy since residents there refused to move out. GHURA Acting Executive Director Raymond Blas says while the agency has decided to cancel all negotiations with Ironwood Village, there's a new project in the works along Ypao Road.

Blas says the Ironwood Heights project will consist of 72 affordable units and will be located near the Talo Verde Subdivision, telling KUAM News, "We're going to be having 12 one-bedroom [units], and those are the one bedroom, one bath units that will go to the elderly; and 44 two-bedroom and two-bath, two-story units; and 16 three-bedroom, two-bath units."

While the Guma Trankilidat project was outlined specifically for the elderly people, Blas says this new project will also provide single and family units targeting low-income people. Blas says the maximum housing income would be $35,000 for a four-person housing unit.

"It was iron heights that made this possible through the Earned Income Tax Credit of 2008 and 2009. So I think you're looking at $26,500,000, and I hope this is a start to go out and build more units for elderly and low-income," continued Blas. "You see, the Guma Trankiladat negotiations were terminated, So I guess Mr. Carlos Camacho worked on this side where they're going on the 16-02 SH program, and so that's what he did."

While the Guma Trankilidat project didn't come to fruition, Blas says new projects like this would allow local residents to find affordable housing, most especially in light of the military buildup. "I think this is a very good program that Ironwood Heights is pursuing, he added.