One of the biggest hurdles for claimants in leasing Chamorro Land Trust Land is the lack of utilities on the lots and the cost of self-installation.

During an oversight hearing today on the CLTC, committee chair Speaker Therese Terlaje said one of her priorities is to get $25 million in American Rescue Plan funding to pay for infrastructure development.

"This infusion of infrastructure to large tracts will encourage the development of affordable and permanent housing and assist with the establishment of additional activity in parts of Guam currently underutilized," she said. 

Joey Cruz of the Land Trust Commission said they've been preparing for the possibility of infrastructure funding by reaching out to the power and water companies.

"Two or three weeks ago we sent a letter to the utility agencies which is Guam waterworks and Guam Power Authority requesting for a copy of their shape files," he said. "It would enable us to accurately identify which parcels don't have utility connections, water or power or sewer, and it would also enable us to plan better and to project how much it may cost."

According to officials at the hearing, there have been about 11,000 applications submitted since the CLTC first started accepting them in 1995, but only about 2,000 leases have been awarded in the ensuing 26 years.