St. Kitts Credit Union breaks ground for new housing initiative

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts Cooperative Credit Union on Thursday, October 30 held a ground-breaking ceremony for its Scenic Home Project, which signalled the company’s vision to empower its members through home ownership. 

The new housing project, valued at some EC$15M,  is situated on Douglas’ Estate, St. Peters and is expected to cover over 29 acres of land with 190 new homes. Designed by Williams Architecture, the project offers six different housing models which would be built on 4 000 and 8 000 square feet of land, and will be furnished with various household amenities. 

Minister of Housing and Cooperatives and Parliamentary Representative for the area, the Hon. Cedric Liburd, applauded the Union for its insight in providing homes to locals who may have owned a house by no other means. 

“The Scenic Homes Project is a practical demonstration of a great contribution to the social development of St. Kitts-Nevis. No one can deny that proper housing is a basic need; it is usually the springboard for personal success, and, so, it is critical that it is addressed. Owning a home is valued as equity, which is necessary for an improved quality of life and greater self esteem for the owner for gaining the social status and the empowerment. 

“The SKCCU is playing a key role in the vision that has been pointed out in terms of the development of St. Peters. We therefore welcome the St. Kitts Cooperate Credit Union in the forefront as a major player in the housing sector. Their theme, ‘Helping people to help themselves’, will continue to be a true reflection of the company even after the completion of this project.”

~~Adz:Right~~ General Manager Cheryl Bass explained that the dream of the project was born many years ago when the company had seen how difficult it was for many of their members to obtain land and to build homes on their own. She thanked the various companies that have partnered with the Union and also praised the members for their role in “giving us a clear mandate to move forward with this project”. 

“We are pleased to offer a fantastic home ownership opportunity to our members. All the homes were very carefully designed, made from high quality material and will be built by some of the finest nation’s tradesmen. 

“Phase One comprises of 32 house lots. Basic requirements include membership of SKCCU, a 10 percent cash deposit, a satisfactory income to expenditure ratio that suggests clearly that you are able to pay according to the arrangement and a full credit history,” Bass said.
The ceremonial ground-breaking was done by Minister Liburd, General Manager Bass and Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, a symbol that represented the start of the company’s greatest project which should add a new dimension to its contributions to the nation.

Minister Liburd urged other members of the private sector to “come onboard and be a part of the housing revolution that is taking place here in the Federation”. He added that the demand for land in St. Peters has skyrocketed and informed that there would be a commercial development and two new housing projects in that area, which should provide at least 267 houses.