The military buildup on Guam is a fact of life that cannot be ignored. It has brought jobs, mostly for military contractors, but it has also raised the cost of living for working people. It has benefited the few at the expense of the many. Landlords are doing better than they otherwise might have been, while working families are being squeezed out.
The military’s approach to local impacts appears intentionally reactive rather than proactive. Planners knew from the start that Guam’s limited housing supply would come under severe strain, yet they chose to let the crisis unfold. They let housing become increasingly unaffordable, and seem to be planning to address the shortage only for military-connected households.
The people of Guam must insist that their voices be heard. If there is to be a buildup inside the fence line, there must also be a buildup in our community: investment in our civilian infrastructure, our new hospital, and especially in housing for Guam’s working families.
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/05/nx-s1-5471440/the-u-s-military-is-building-its-presence-in-guam-driving-costs-up-for-locals
GuamMinimumWage.org 