Caribbean news. Government has announced it intends, through its National Housing Corporation (NHC), to construct 500 affordable homes for citizens.
Minister of Housing Hon. Dr. Asim Martin on Wednesday 15 January 2014 announced the launch of the Habitat Independence 30 program, which will see the construction of 500 government homes.
“This is a new housing scheme that will be undertaken by the National Housing Corporation to build 500 homes throughout the island in 2014,” he said.
He said the program offers an opportunity for citizens who have not yet had the opportunity of home ownership to be empowered. The homes will include townhouses are single structures. Minister Martin said he could not say specifically where the houses would be built as the Ministry was still in the process of identifying suitable land.
“Construction should begin by the end of this month,” he said. He informed they would be two-bedroom homes, complete with all the fittings including cupboards and tiling.
Photo courtesy www.sknclt.com
The new housing scheme will have the added benefit of significantly impacting the construction sector, Martin said, employing persons at all levels in the industry.
The construction will act as a catalyst to boost economic activity especially for building hardware suppliers and other related businesses.
Dr. Martin noted that delivering quality homes at affordable prices has been a challenge with the increasing costs of building materials. Despite the challenges, the NHC remains the primary service provider in housing in St. Kitts, he said.
“It is important that despite the obstacles that we recognize the importance of staying focused on achieving ownership. Citizens, once given the opportunity to gain title to land or house, must continue that journey to ownership.
“The government acknowledges the tremendous role that the NHC plays in creating the housing supply and administering mortgage agreements.”
Habitat Independence 30 demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering the people through property ownership, whether it be land or houses, Minister Martin highlighted.
During his budget debate in December, 2012, Dr. Martin indicated the Prime Minister’s vision to construct 1000 homes. He said the Ministry of Sustainable Development had already begun to identify the necessary lands.
The Observer asked the Minister about construction of the additional 500 homes. Dr. Martin said once the initial 500 were completed, the others would be rolled out.
Courtesy http://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com
