by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Human Settlement Hon Dr. Geoffrey Hanley said the government is committed to improving the housing infrastructure in the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis.
During the 2023 Budget Debate in December 2022, Minister Hanley informed the public about the new housing initiative, which would ensure that 2,400 homes are built for the citizens of St.Kitts and Nevis.
Concerns addressed during a Housing Fair held in May 2023, forced the Government back to the drawing board to make some important adjustments. The Minister of Housing, during a Sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, May 12, shared the results of the negotiations.
“I was happy that we had that open fair, the Housing Fair; because it gave us an opportunity to be able to go back to the drawing board to present something that would blow the minds of our people when we are delivering the homes. I will just share with you Madam Speaker, whereas a bedroom was 450 sq ft, now a one bedroom will be a 592 sq ft; a two bedroom was 862 sq ft, it’s now 879 sq ft and a three bedroom that was 1, 200 sq ft, under this new initiative, a three bedroom is 1,288 sq ft. With all they want to be saying, we are delivering proper homes. I must say, Madam Deputy, with all of the negotiating, these larger homes will not attract any additional cost; none whatsoever.”
A one bedroom house will cost EC $111,000.00 a two bedroom will cost EC $213,000.00 and a three bedroom will cost EC $297,000.00
Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley encouraged individuals who have not yet applied to become owners, to fill the online application at www.nhc.kn. For any reason that an individual feels that they should not apply because they would not qualify for a loan from any of the financial institutions, Hanley admonished those persons to register, as there are other housing solutions available.
According to Dr. Hanley, the first phase of the new housing revolution with the East Coast Housing Development Limited will be embarked upon over the next six months, with the construction of 600 homes. He highlighted that the 2,400 houses will not be the only houses built under the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlement.
