BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Team Unity Administration, led by Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris and Minister of Human Settlement Eugene Hamilton, yesterday (Nov. 7) handed over keys to the first set of homes under the Unity Housing Solutions Programme.
Keys to 14 of the 15 completed houses - which formed part of the Government’s thrust to construct 300 homes using a Social Security Board $50M loan - were handed over to persons in the Cunningham Heights Development.
Minister Hamilton intimated that it was an exciting and momentous occasion, pointing out that the Unity Housing Solutions Programme is far more “than a home, far more than a building and far more than a construction project”.
Instead, he stated that they have recognized it is within homes where sanctuaries are created and children are raised.
“We recognize that it is in our homes that we provide a nurturing and secure environment to raise our children. And it is in our homes that where we instil values and build future leaders,” he stated.
He added that they had approached the construction of homes with those principles and values in mind.
Minister Hamilton noted that the handing over of the keys are the fruits of the Government and its vision coming to culmination, as was promised in its Manifesto.
“We have mentioned time and time again that our commitment is unwavering when it comes to the welfare of the people of St. Christopher and Nevis.”
The Housing Minister noted that they endevour to pursue elevated solutions that would impact the overall quality of life of the people of the Federation – thus representing the vision.
General Manager of the National Housing Corporation (NHC), Elreter Simpson-Browne explained that for over 21 years her agency has been in existence delivering affordable houses to throughout the island of St. Kitts.
She however noted that of the 12 housing projects they have delivered during those 21 years, “improvements” were made in every case.
Simpson-Browne hastened to add that “the Unity Housing Solutions Programme is by far our best product and I am sure that you would agree as the evidence is before you”.
She indicated that the project is the vision of the Minister, who believes that they should not just be constructing houses, “but we should be creating communities”.
Simpson-Browne explained that the first disbursement of the Social Security $50M loan was received in the latter part of March this year, and the home construction began in the following month.
She revealed that the project is the first of its kind that the NHC is embarking upon.
“Basically, the project speaks to two categories: building on the NHC’s land as in the case of the houses before you, and building assistance where we build on land owned by our clients.”
According to the GM, to date, they have over 100 homes that are “a work in progress”, with 50 of them being building assistance.
She noted that all of those houses are proving to be a challenge, but they are committed to building houses and completing all they have started.
SKNVibes News understands that the houses produced under the administration is more spacious than those previously constructed.
