Basseterre , St. Kitts (April 20, 2006): Via its organ the National Housing Corporation (NHC), government continues to keep its promise to provide affordable housing to nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In addition to private housing construction alternatives, residents have the option of townhouses while government workers can apply for the Civil Servants Scheme.
SKNIS spoke to Acting General Manager of NHC Mr. Joel Morton who said that the townhouses fill the housing need of middle income earners. He explained that the dwellings are fully complete and ready for occupation.
Mr. Morton informed that the townhouses were built in blocks. One block consists of five conjoined units or five townhouses. Each unit has two levels. Two bedrooms and a bathroom are on the top floor while the bottom floor houses a kitchen, living and dining room.
He explained that townhouses are presently being built in East Basseterre at Trafalgar Village, one site has three blocks and the other has two blocks.
He added that another block will soon begin construction in the area but the exact location has not been identified as yet.
The Acting General Manager also stated that the Civil Servants Scheme is still in operation at the St. Kitts Development Bank. He said that the Development Bank and the civil servants do their interviews and funds are made available based on the individuals salaries. As such, the amount borrowed, fits into the budget of the civil servant. The bank then makes arrangements with NHC to have the houses constructed to the value of which the civil servant qualified.
Mr. Morton explained that the types of homes constructed will then vary from the super low income and the enhanced super low income houses to the completed two bedroom middle income houses. He further noted that NHC is geared toward assisting the civil servant by constructing affordable homes and so the construction of exceptionally expensive homes does not fall under its duties. Mr. Morton further elaborated that NHC is in the business of providing housing solutions for residents in general, particularly low income persons. This is why, he added, that the corporation is continually seeking funding so that construction cost will be low and affordable to that income bracket.
