Concessions, home improvement, and community renewal programmes approved by Cabinet

An implementation strategy for short-term programmes under the National Housing Policy was recently approved by Cabinet.

The housing initiatives, which aim to provide affordable, equitable homes and improve the living conditions of existing homeowners as well as urbanisation and renewal of communities across the islands, was approved by Cabinet on Wednesday 14 June 2023.

Her Excellency the Governor (Acting), Anya Williams, chaired the 16th meeting held at Bellfield Landing on North Caicos.

At this meeting, Cabinet, “Approved an implementation strategy of three short-term programmes under the National Housing Policy, covering concessions for residential developers, home improvement programmes for existing homeowners and, community renewal and infilling”, a post-Cabinet statement said.

Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID) Hon Jamell Robinson during his budget address in the House of Assembly said the programmes will be implemented over the next few months.

He said: “Mr Speaker, members would also be aware that the department has benefitted from a $3m injection to jump-start some of our housing initiatives which will cover aspects of all three of the short-term programmes that are due to roll out in the months to come.

“Business cases are being developed, amendments to existing legislation are being considered, creation of the home refurbishment programme, along with community renewal and infilling in an effort to streamline and maximise the number of housing units put on the market.”

He pointed out that the Housing Department is also working on other key strategies to support the initiatives, this includes; developing an online application process for two housing programmes, launching at least two of the Housing Policy Programmes by the third quarter and raising awareness of the Housing Programmes available to the TCI public.

In keeping with this, he pointed out that programmes will be available through advertising, branding, and promotional awareness activities using traditional mediums and social media platforms throughout the financial year.

“There are a number of moving parts as the department finalises our retrofitting of their new office space and recruitment of additional staff’, he added.

Earlier this year, the long-awaited Housing Policy Framework was approved to address the growing need for quality and affordable housing in the TCI.