Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 13, 2024 (SKNIS): Ground was symbolically broken in Stapleton, St. Peter’s on Friday, December 13, 2024, as the government’s revolutionary housing programme expands.
The site at Stapleton will accommodate 26 homes featuring single, two and three-bedroom options. The homes are part of the climate-smart home initiative being constructed by East Coast Housing Development Ltd. The National Housing Corporation (NHC) is a key partner in the housing programme, as well as the Ministry of Sustainable Development, which is allocating lands in communities across St. Kitts for the houses to be situated on.
At the ground-breaking ceremony, Dirck Singh, Director, East Coast Housing Development Ltd. thanked the government for the opportunity to be a part of the vision to provide affordable housing for all.
“We are ready,” he said, to much applause, adding that in keeping with the community-focused housing programme, “the contractors on these projects are all locals from their respective constituencies.”
These constituencies include Ottleys, where the foundation for 20 homes is being laid. In Farm Meadows, Sandy Point, land has already been cleared for the construction of 30 homes. The project will also expand to Newton Ground and other communities in the near future.
Special Advisor in the Ministry of Housing et al, His Excellency Ambassador Leon Natta-Nelson, noted the high demand for housing and shared that the government continues to work to fulfill the aspirations of the populace.
“In short notice, we will be all around St. Kitts delivering homes to our people,” he stated.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Housing, the Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, noted that since he assumed office in 2022, the government through NHC, has already delivered an impressive 112 homes, surpassing numbers set by previous administrations over the corresponding time.
He highlighted that among the beneficiaries were individuals who had owned land for many years, some as far back as 1998, but had not had the opportunity to build homes on their properties. As the housing revolution expands, many persons who applied through NHC and were pre-approved by financial institutions will benefit.
“We are not going to stop building homes,” said Dr. Hanley, reflecting on the tremendous responsibility being undertaken by the government to increase the housing stock and provide comfortable and safe communities for families.
“These are not just homes. They are an investment into generations to come,” the deputy prime minister expressed. “This is an investment into your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I am happy to be a part of this.”
Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, stated that hundreds of individuals will greatly benefit from the economic opportunities generated by the housing programme and other infrastructure projects. These include the ongoing construction of a two (2) million-gallon desalination plant, an extensive road repair programme, the reconstruction of Basseterre High School in the first quarter of 2025, the development of a climate-smart hospital, and the creation of the Creative Arts Centre, among others. Several major private sector projects are also set to commence next year.
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