More than 4 000 Barbadians are seeking housing assistance based on information from Minister of Housing and Lands Chris Gibbs.
The Minister cautioned that the figure is still being verified as he cited challenges facing Government as it attempts to close the widening gap between supply and demand.
“We are continuing to verify the data so that we can distinguish between individual applicants, family households, emergency cases and persons seeking different types of housing support. We do not want to mis-state the figure by treating every individual application as a family household,” he said.
Asked whether there are enough houses available to meet the current demand, Gibbs blunty said: “No. Demand continues to exceed available supply.”
He said the Government is pursuing multiple strategies simultaneously to address the shortage.
“That is why Government is working on multiple fronts: new construction, social mortgages, joint ventures, land regularisation, emergency housing, use of vacant and underused lands, and the restructuring of the National Housing Corporation (NHC).”
Urgency
For the thousands of families and individuals still waiting for housing, Gibbs said the Government understands the urgency of the situation.
“The Ministry recognises the urgency of the need and is working to expand housing solutions in a fair, transparent and sustainable way. We are not only building houses; we are reforming the systems that determine how housing is financed, allocated, maintained and transferred into ownership,” he said.
One of the largest initiatives under consideration was a proposed development at Vineyard, St Philip with the Ministry and NHC well advanced in discussions on a joint project that could deliver 1 200 houses.
“The planning process is well under way and further details will be provided once the required planning and implementation milestones are settled.”
The project is expected to become one of the largest housing developments undertaken in recent years, he said, adding it formed part of Government’s strategy to increase affordable housing.
The NHC has also launched the second phase of its Joint Venture Programme, issuing a Request for Prequalification to contractors interested in participating in affordable housing developments.
Gibbs said the programme is specifically targeting starter homes and duplexes in an effort to increase access to affordable housing options.
At the same time, Government is moving forward with a Social Mortgage Programme aimed at people who are financially capable of paying rent but are unable to qualify for traditional mortgages.
He confirmed that residents have started moving into units at Floralis Gardens, Holders Hill, St James, part of a broader effort to bring completed housing projects into use while larger developments are being prepared.
Government’s urban housing strategy continues to progress with Gibbs disclosing that designs for the planned buildings were in their final stages before submission to the Planning Office but staffing shortages have slowed implementation.
“There have been some human-resource constraints affecting rollout, but these are expected to be addressed shortly through additional personnel support,” Gibbs said.
Completion dates
The Minister declined to provide definitive completion dates for several major projects, contending that it would be irresponsible to make promises before critical issues are resolved.
“Firm completion dates will be provided where funding, contractor arrangements, technical requirements, planning matters and legal issues are settled. The commitment is to provide accurate updates, not unrealistic promises,” he said.
Among the achievements he highlighted were the completion of hundreds of Hurricane Elsa repairs and rebuilds, title regularisation initiatives and the development of an emergency housing framework.
Gibbs also pointed to legislative measures that enabled more than 200 housing units across Barbados to be vested in tenants, allowing them to become homeowners.
“A second phase is currently being finalised for another 200-plus units,” he revealed.
On the reforms within the NHC, a key component is the introduction of what Gibbs described as an Enhanced Maintenance Response system.
“The objective is to log maintenance reports, track them against timelines for resolution and improve accountability in how maintenance matters are handled. The NHC must be financially stronger in order to maintain estates properly.” (AJ)
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