189 Tinian families can now start building their homes

For the first time in at least a dozen years, 189 homestead lot permits were issued Friday on Tinian so that families can now start building their future dream homes at the West San Jose Subdivision. The Department of Public Lands said at least 348 more homestead permits will be issued in about eight to 10 months for two other subdivisions on Tinian.

Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider told Saipan Tribune on Friday that the long-awaited distribution of homestead permits for close to 200 families some 12 years after the last permit issuance was the result of hard work and collaboration among agencies under the current administration.

The project was stalled for years over public safety, environmental, cultural, and financial concerns.

“What the homestead permit distribution means is that families can now build their dream homes at the subdivision. They have three years to do that. After DPL determines that they comply with the requirements in building their homes, these families can then get the deeds to the property. Things are looking up for Tinian,” Hofschneider said.

The lieutenant governor, who hails from Tinian, urged lot owners to “do your best to comply with the requirements,” given that land is limited on Tinian. Two-thirds of Tinian lands are under lease to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, in his prepared remarks at the ceremony, said it’s been “a long journey” for those who received their permits on Friday.

The mayor also gave credit to some of the many other people who contributed to making the homestead permit distribution possible, including some who already passed on.

Dela Cruz also praised DPL Secretary Pete A. Tenorio and DPL Tinian director Ray Cing and staff “for finally issuing the permits.”

“To all of you homestead permit [holders], you may now legally enter the site of your future dream home. I encourage you to take the time to put your best efforts into building your lifelong dream of having your very own home,” the Tinian mayor added.

Patricia Rasa, DPL Planning Division director, separately said Friday that besides the 189 homestead permits issued for the West San Jose Subdivision, there will be 137 more that will be distributed for the Kanadan Magpo subdivision and 211 for the Marpo Heights area “in about eight to 10 months.”

The homestead permit distribution came five years since the fall 2009 drawing of lots and some 19 years since the project started.

The Tinian mayor said the long period it took to finally give the permits to deserving families had to do with addressing potential issues of World War II hazardous waste sites and the location of certain historical artifacts, among other things.

Each homestead lot has a size between 700 square meters and over 1,250 square meters.