Minister of Housing, Michael Lashley??
Three more Barbadian families have received an early Christmas gift from the Ministry of Housing and the National Housing Corporation (NHC).
They received the keys to a new rental unit at Sayes Court, Christ Church today, from Minister of Housing, Michael Lashley.
The Sayes Court project, which is the first phase of the infilling programme, took eight months to complete at a cost of Bds $300, 000. Infilling refers to using land space within existing estates for housing solutions.
Mr. Lashley revealed that his Ministry had sought permission from the Town Planning Department to commence additional infilling programmes in Wildey, and Deacons Farm, in St. Michael and Silver Hill in Christ Church and once that has been granted, the department would start construction.
According to him, the infilling projects would assist those persons who have difficulty accessing land and housing on the private market and have been on the Ministry’s housing list for several years.
Mr. Lashley also promised more housing solutions in the new year, citing another pilot Rent-to-Own project at River, St. Phillip which will soon be under way.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress his department had made in providing houses for Barbadians, adding that it was a challenging process, but to one which government was fully committed.
The Housing Minister indicated the response to the Ministry’s completed programmes had been exceptional, with many of the units already sold.
"All of the houses in Workhall have been purchased and by now all of the houses in Marchfield have been purchased and we now have to wait on the legal process, the lawyers and banks. Some agreements have been signed and, so, we have received an excellent response to our completed projects so far."
Mr. Lashley described the performance of his ministry and the NHC over the past two years as "reasonable" with over 100 housing solutions provided for customers in 2009.
The Housing Minister also revealed that the Ministry’s housing list would be revisited and streamlined to ensure those Barbadians who require houses and land would be dealt with in a more efficient and a speedier manner. askeete@barbados.gov.bb