Guam’s permit laws must be changed to increase the island’s housing inventory to accommodate the influx of local buyers and military personnel, according to housing and real estate experts.
A Public Service, Master of Public Administration class on disciplinary and performance management at the University of Guam hosted a virtual forum revolving around the impact of the military expansion on the local housing market and the island’s economy.
At the Guam Industry Forum 2022 Conference held at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Capt. Robert Stiles, right, Marine Corps Commander Mariana Construction, discusses the latest developments at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and other military installations being improved. We provide information. November 14, 2022 in Tumon.
Panelists included Deputy Director Fernando Estevez of the Urban Renewal Authority; It was Chairman Edward Untaran and Bobby Sakdev, National Director of the Guam Real Estate Association.
Hutapea said it is important to recognize that local agencies and organizations can and cannot help tackle the affordable housing shortage.
Rising interest rates, the cost of construction materials, and a growing military force absorbing local construction companies are not under their control, but local governments are changing permit laws.
“The problem we have with this low inventory is outdated legislation that creates a bottleneck of opportunity to address the low-income housing inventory problem,” Sachdev said.
About 300 new homes are built on Guam each year through the building permit process, Hutapea said, not enough to keep up with current demand.
Sachdev said the work of agencies such as the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the Guam Parks and Recreation Authority is important, but the permitting process needs to happen more quickly.
Hutapea said the government of Guam should consider changing permit laws to reduce the waiting period from six months to three months like the state does.
“Permits need to be stricter, cleaner and more effective,” she said.
Outdated zoning laws that make it difficult to subdivide real estate to build more homes and rules on land use for housing for H2B visa workers also need to be changed by the government, Sachdev said. said Mr.
He suggested that hiring more staff at agencies that receive more permits to review and approve applications could help things move faster.
Hutapea also said the Guam EPA currently only has a staff of about 10 employees, and since Guam has no cap on how many workers can come to the island with this, H1B is working to increase the agency’s capacity. I offered her recommendations in exploring the possibility of hiring visa workers. visa.
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Pacific Daily News reporter Jackson Stevens covers poverty as a member of Report for America.
you can contact him
jstephens@guampdn.com.
