Minister of Housing Dwight Sutherland updates on Government's 10, 000 homeowners goal

The National Housing Corporation (NHC) is assisdously working towards clearly the backlog of applicants for Government housing. 

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland was speaking last weekend at the NHC Mortgage Fair in Golden Square, when he revealed that two decades worth of applicants were examined. 

"We have also had a 25, 000 backlog of applicants at national housing. I am pleased to report this afternoon [Saturday, July 23]  that the National Housing team sat and went through those 25, 000 applicants over 20 years...Some persons are deceased, some persons have applied three and four times, so we have analysed that data and we can say clearly that we have close up to 3, 000 applicants that are eligible for homes, earning under $2, 000 [a month] in this country," said the Minister of Housing. 

Sutherland gave the assurance that Government was committed to ensuring that Barbadians have access to affordable housing. This was evidenced at the Mortgage Fair which attracted hundreds of Barbadians, young and old. Credit unions and commercial banks were present to inform aspiring homeowners of their mortgage offerings.

"Gone are the days where persons would go into a lending institution and they are told they are not qualified. We are working as a partnership to make sure that persons who 20 years ago could not own a home, they can own a home now," insisted Sutherland. 

He asserted that Government is providing quality, affordable housing to locals through the HOPE Project. 

The Mia Mottley-led administration has promised to provide 10,000 houses over five years - a goal that Sutherland believes can be easily attained. 

"When you gauge the amount of traffic that goes through golden square this morning asking what they have to do to acquire a house, one would believe that 10, 000 houses is really half of what we need to empower the ordinary Barbadian in this country," he said. 

He noted that Government has imported 150 pre-fabricated steel-framed emergency houses from China through East West Building Solutions.

Additionally, through their partnership with Guyanese firm DuraVilla, residents who earn less than $2, 000 monthly will have the opportunity to purchase a two-bedroom home for as low as $100, 000. Sutherland also revealed that the DuraVilla wood-frame houses should be arriving in Barbados by the end of October once it was passed in Cabinet. 

He indicated that Government plans construct 1,400 homes by year-end. 

"This year we intend to construct 1400 houses. We have started thus far with infrastructure and foundations and everything. We are at 717 thus far including HOPE, HOPE Advance and HOPE Premium," he stated. 

Disregarding concerns on the availability of land to complete this intensive project, the Housing Minister revealed that NHC has recently acquired up to 51 acres to facilitate low-income housing - 40 acres of land in Lower Burney, St Michael, 11 acres in Concordia Gardens, St Philip - and another 60 acres is to be available soon in Searles, Christ Church. 

Sutherland stated that Government was aiming to reduce the population density in the urban areas. He suggested that inadequate access to housing can also lead to "social decay". 

Barbados/Guyana partnership set to provide 1,000 houses

Government offers HOPE to aspiring homeowners

UV newbies and veterans give 12th edition an awesome review

Ronaldo not selected for Man United friendly vs Atlético

Injured Laporte to miss start of the season for Man City

3 Tropical waves to pass Barbados this Crop Over weekend

The third tropical wave will pass to the south of the island on the night of Sunday, July 31

Spice bringing her 'whole catalogue' for Crop Over

The Queen of Dancehall is the headlining act for Rise Barbados which will be held on Wednesday, July 27

MV Harbour Master 'still a Bajan boat'

Next Stop: SpiceMas for Harbour Master

Sold out Into the Blue Cruise a roaring success

Tickets were sold out three weeks before the event

Barbados to face tough opponents at start of Chess Olympiad

In the 2018 Olympiad, the Barbados teams were the highest-placed of the English-speaking Caribbean countries

Patrice Roberts and Ricardo Drue are engaged

The Antiguan singer popped the question in front of a home crowd at his Druesday concert

Massy United Insurance grows despite challenging times

Massy United Insurance, one of the largest insurers in the region, has confirmed a successful year of significant growth. The company’s latest earnings report illustrates strong results for the per

Digicel Business, Trend Media, Microsoft present #TransformCaribbean

Digicel Business and Trend Media are partnering with Microsoft Caribbean to deliver #TransformCaribbean: Disaster Preparedness with the Cloud in Barbados, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Trinidad & T

CXC to issue e-certificates across region

After a successful trial period, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has announced that it will continue to provide students with e-certificates across the region. While CXC will still be

Harris Paints opens new doors of opportunity for business in Antigua

Harris Paints is set to open its newest factory in May 2020. In just a few short months, customers in Antigua will be walking through the doors of the new facility located at Coolidge, Antigua