National Housing Policy puts homeownership on the front burner – Cabinet gives the green light

BY OLIVIA ROSE

The long-awaited National Housing Policy aimed at fostering homeownership and addressing the need for quality and affordable housing in the TCI has been approved by Cabinet.

The demand for housing has exploded in recent years, leading to a severe housing shortage in the territory.

To this end, the new Housing Policy is aimed at addressing these challenges in a more strategic manner, according to the Director of Housing Mr Dominique Durham.

During a media brunch hosted by the Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development (PPID) Hon Jamell Robinson which was attended by heads of various departments within the Ministry on Wednesday, March 1, Durham told reporters that the policy will dictate how the housing department executes its mandate.

He said: “I’m happy to say today that we finally got that approved after 18 months of working on it, so for that to be approved by Cabinet is a big step towards providing equitable and affordable homes for the Turks and Caicos Islanders.

He explained that in order to craft a policy that reflects the unique needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Housing Department conducted extensive research and held consultations with various stakeholders external to the government.

He said: “These include the financiers, owners of large parcels, developers, as well as our lawyers and real estate agents.

“We would have met with internal stakeholders and had engagement forums across the government, we would have carried out our National Housing Survey so that we understand the needs for housing within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“We would have done a lot of desktop research and fieldwork by exploring what has been done in other Caribbean countries and more recently the Bahamas, with all of that we have developed a comprehensive housing policy that is unique to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Durham informed the media that three new staff members have been employed to ensure the department is fully functional.

He said: “We’ve just recently sent out our interview request to upgrade an administrative staff, and we’ve now most recently secured office space, so we’re open for business.”

Over the coming weeks, the department will be working on a strategic implementation plan to roll the short-term goals of the housing policy, Durham stressed.

“ So our first three will be our immediate short-term housing initiatives, which aim to provide affordable, equitable homes and improve the living conditions of existing homeowners and as well as urbanisation and renewal of our communities.

“You will see a lot coming from us in the coming weeks in terms of an official launch of the policy, the initiatives and how you can contact us and what we have on the table as it relates to housing.”

Premier Hon Charles Washington Misick during his State of the State address on Monday, February 27, said that the new policy will support housing developments that will result in savings to homeowners.

He said: “Turks and Caicos Islanders and legal residents need quality and affordable housing, we are answering that need through the new housing policy.

“The policy has a mixture of solutions in addition to the existing support to Turks and

Caicos Islanders who are first-time homeowners.”

He further informed that the policy will also introduce a home improvement programme to increase the number and quality of liveable housing in the TCI and help community renewal and the construction of houses on vacant lots while increasing the housing stock in rundown communities so residents will return.

“Our priority is to embark on a massive affordable housing programme to help more persons get back on the housing ladder”, he added.

Misick revealed that an initial $ 3m will be set aside for housing support in the supplementary appropriation to kick-start the programme.