Minister of Housing and Lands, Michael Lashley, as he delivered the feature address at the Marchfield handover ceremony, last Sunday, at Six Roads, St. Philip. (Image: C. Pitt/BGIS)
Conveyances will be delivered shortly as part of Government’s $5.00 per sq. ft. land programme, aimed at first time homeowners who cannot afford to buy land on the private market.
This assertion came last Sunday evening from Minister of Housing and Lands, Michael Lashley. He was delivering the feature address at the handing over of keys ceremony at Marchfield, St. Philip, the site of the first Housing Every Last Person (HELP) development.
The lots, which have been acquired across Barbados, will be sold at $5.00 per sq ft. They range from 3,000 to 3,500 sq. ft. and will cost between $15,000 and $17,000.??
"In a matter of months we will be handing over conveyances to first time land owners at Clifden in St. Philip, Branchbury in St. Joseph, Guinea in St. John, Woodbourne in St. Philip and Coconut Hall in St. Lucy.?? We have completed the purchase of land under this same policy at Cherry Grove, Easy Hall and Pool in St. John, Todds, St George and many other areas," the Housing Minister outlined.
Mr. Lashley acknowledged that Barbados was a small country with a limited land supply, resulting in the price of land on the private market being out of the reach of many Barbadians, particularly those at the lower income levels.?? "Those who had the money, had to resort to the private market to buy land at $15 or $20 per sq. ft.?? Those who were not in the position to buy on the private market were forced to rent land at the whims and fancies of landlords or rent a house or room…," he stated.??
Mr. Lashley also revealed that under the programme, the National Housing Corporation would not only make available its approved house plans to "informal community groups" and individual homeowners, but provide skilled artisans and technical assistance in the construction of houses.