The distribution of homestead lots and commercialization of properties will further deplete the availability of Tinian public lands, he said.
The Chamorro Estate program will identify at least 200 hectares of land area that will be reserved for the future use of the local residents, he said.
“Sooner or later there will not be enough land for the Chamorros and we will become homeless,” he said, adding that two-thirds of the land area on Tinian are still leased by the U.S. military.
He said the possible revision of in the CNMI Constitution’s Article 12 or land alienation rule will also have an impact on long-term leases and may further reduce the availability of land for local residents.
Hofschnedier noted that a lot of CNMI officials support amending or repealing Article 12.
Once the Chamorro Estate is established, he said the Marianas Public Land Trust should fund its development.
MPLT, he added, can construct a condominium and either lease or sell its units to low-income residents.
“This project is to ensure that Chamorro will not be homeless in their own homeland in future,” he said. He identified the Pina area as ideal for the Chamorro Estate.
