Glut of homestead applications still hound MPLA

Over 6,000 homestead permit applications are still pending at the Marianas Public Lands Authority, almost three years since the agency imposed a moratorium on accepting applications.

MPLA homestead division chief Kimo Rosario reported that 4,053, or 64 percent, of the 6,313 permit applications were submitted by Saipan residents.

Applications from Tinian total 915. Of these, 516 are for village homestead and 399 for agricultural homestead.

From Rota, there are 647 residential homestead permit applications and 698 agricultural homestead applications.

In an interview, Rosario said processing applications take a while because they have to be reviewed individually and carefully. He added that some requests were filed years ago and need updating by the applicants, particularly those whose names and civil status had changed due to marriage for instance.

On Oct. 1, 2002, MPLA stopped accepting village homestead applications for Saipan and village and agricultural homestead applications for Rota, due to the dwindling inventory of public land.

However, residents on Tinian may apply for either of two homestead programs.

Rosario also disclosed that the number of Saipan applications would decrease when MPLA issues 52 new certificates of compliance and quitclaim deeds in the next several weeks.

To receive the deeds are those who have completed homesteading requirements, which include building a house and occupying it within the two years after the homestead permit is issued, and continuing to occupy the house throughout the third year.

However, Rosario said that MPLA grants extensions to the homesteading period on a case-by-case basis.

By law, MPLA cannot revoke a village homestead permit if no public water, electrical, and sewer services are extended to the homestead lot within a reasonable period before the end of the three years.

Homesteaders serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are also exempted from the homesteading requirements while they are on active duty.

Further, Rosario said MPLA may grant an extension even if a homesteader does not fully comply with the requirements, as long as he or she shows initiative to improve the lot.

“There are cases where a homesteader, due to unemployment or other economic reasons, cannot construct a house within the given period. But as long as they can show that they are developing the lot and have not abandoned it, we give them some consideration,” Rosario said.

According to MPLA, the homestead program was created pursuant to the CNMI Legislature’s findings that many NMI residents were without the finances to purchase homes and lots in order to construct safe and decent housing.

There are two types of homestead programs—the village and agricultural homestead programs. The village homestead program allows eligible applicants ample public land lot for the construction of a residential dwelling. The agricultural homestead program allows eligible applicants a sizable lot for the development and maintenance of farms crops.