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With the demand for housing increasing daily, as more Barbadians seek to own a ???piece of de rock’, Government has deemed it a priority to come up with a novel approach to address this growing trend.
Under Government’s Housing Every Last Person (HELP) Programme, there has been a new thrust to provide assistance to low-income earners through the provision of a greater number of housing solutions.
According to the National Housing Corporation’s (NHC) Project Coordinator, Roger Ward: "As a result of this thrust and the number of projects and solutions it will involve, a five-year plan has been designed to set the strategic path for the Corporation over the period beginning from 2009 to 2014."
Pointing out that the Urban High-Rise Housing Programme is a Joint Venture Partnership approach between the NHC and the private sector, the Project Coordinator explained that joint partners are given a licence over the land and the partner provides the financing under a letter of comfort from Government."
Mr. Ward further explained that Cabinet had agreed to the construction of an Urban High-Rise apartment at Valerie, St. Michael consisting of 72 units, and that other high-rise projects were on the cards through the utilisation of the same Joint Partnership approach between the NHC and the private sector.
"Right now we have a number of developments in the works.?? These include: Mason Hall Street, Bridgetown, where 84 units are on the horizon and we are currently working on Valerie, Collymore Rock; Exmouth, in Deacons Road; and the Grotto, Beckles Road. ????
"The Corporation continues to receive significant applications for rental units, most of which are from the urban corridor.???? And, due to the urgent need to provide new rental accommodation for low-income earners, the NHC has sought new mechanisms to do so.?? Hence, the Urban High-Rise Housing Programme," he noted.
The buildings for the most part are six stories and the apartments will be approximately 700 sq. ft.???? They consist of two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living and dining room and a laundry area.
The Corporation will officially launch the Urban High-Rise Housing Programme next Saturday, October 8, at Valerie, Collymore Rock, St. Michael, during a ceremony commencing at 3:00 p.m.
Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, will deliver the feature address and launch the Urban High-rise Housing Programme.?? Members of Cabinet will also attend.??