BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE governments thrust to provide affordable homes to residents of St. Kitts continued yesterday (May 6) when the Prime Minister and several other Government Ministers turned the sod for a housing development project in Pine Garden Horizons.
The sod turning event signifies that the government will soon begin work under its Habitat Independence 30 Housing Programme in the area, which would see the construction of 1 000 more homes in St. Kitts.
The Pine Garden Horizons project would see the construction of some 62 town houses and duplexes with more modern amenities.
Constituency Two Representative and Minister with responsibility for Community Development Hon. Marcella Liburd explained that this is a developmental project that has been long in the planning stages, and that she had consulted with the Minister of Housing and Energy to have the area developed.
“You cannot be laid back on it. We kept pushing and I’m happy to say that the Minister was very manable and he listens as he usually does,” Liburd said.
She noted that no constituency is being left out of the government’s thrust to develop housing in St. Kitts, adding that since the Labour Party Government has taken office they have built in excess of 4 000 homes for individuals within St. Kitts.
“So today what we have is a situation, where over the past 18 years, from 1995 to until now, 12 000 houses have been built around this country. No community, no constituency was left out…none! There was no discrimination, no tribalism, every single constituency and indeed community, so every community has been touched by housing from 1995 to now,” Minister Liburd expressed.
She stated that 16 000 individuals have recently been housed following the government’s construction of 4 000 homes.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing Hon. Earl Asim Martin told the gathering that the housing project is a joint venture among several ministries, including his.
“The Ministry of Housing with the National Housing Corporation and the support ministries, such as the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Public Works and Public Utilities, share a passion for housing because we understand that developing affordable housing is about creating opportunities for our people.”
He explained too that there is more to housing than the regular shelter, as more persons are using it as a launching pad for greater opportunities in the future
“We know a comfortable dwelling can help to build moral and personal esteem. Home ownership can be the jump-off point for pursuing other goals, whether it be the expansion of the house, rental space or business run out of the home,” Martin said.
Ministers Liburd and Martin both added that owning a new home adds to the financial security of any individual when approaching a bank or any lending institution.
It was said that the houses to be constructed would be done with “modern facilities” catering for the growing demand on the market. And they are expected to carry solar panels, which is in keeping with the government’s energy drive.
Work in the Pine Garden area is expected to begin in about two weeks time, commencing with upgrading of the roads and drains.
