EDITORIAL – Demand for housing high

Without a doubt there is not a single Barbadian who does not have a
dream of some day owning a piece of this rock, and this has seen
successive governments being faced with an ever-increasing demand for
housing that they have found difficult to satisfy.

Now with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to consider, times are
even tougher, and with incomes stagnant for some and non-existent for
others, money is even tighter than before. This will no doubt put a
spoke in the wheel of some who are desirous of owning a home, even
though financial institutions who have promoted low interest rates and
in some cases 100 per cent mortgages in recent times may still be
willing to finance such loans.

But even if financing is available, persons need to have options that
they can pursue. Certainly there are numerous options for those in the
upper and upper-middle income brackets – those who can purchase land
or property at a premium. But those in the lower-middle and lower
income brackets have struggled to identify housing solutions they can
afford. It is to the National Housing  Corporation (NHC) that most of
these individual turn, but theirs is a waiting that is probably as
long as Barbados itself.

So it was with great interest that we recently read the published
expression of interest (EOI) notice, asking for suitably qualified
person to become a part of Government’s affordable-income housing
initiative. This initiative, being facilitated by the Ministry of
Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment and the Ministry of Housing,
Lands and Rural Development, is the first tangible thing coming from
this Government, now two years on the job, as it relates to satisfying
the housing demand. While we commend it, it is hoped that further
details will be forthcoming, in the not too distant future, and that
indeed the project will come to fruition.

The need for affordable housing cannot be overemphasised and it is
hoped that those who have submitted EOIs will be properly vetted. We
have seen over the years some shoddy work coming from some contractors
on government projects, and this must become a thing of the past.
Equally important, is that small contractors are given the opportunity
to be a part of the process, and that the work is not simply left to
the big construction companies to carry out. Certainly, there is scope
perhaps for the small contractors to come together in a cooperative
type arrangement, and submit an EOI. Yes, the June 30 deadline has
passed, but Government has been known to extend such deadlines, and
given the covid environment we currently live in, to do so would
likely be welcomed.

As we think of this initiative, it would also be interesting to know
if the current administration will be embarking on the construction of
high rise solutions for housing, as was done under the previous
administration. We say that cognisant that the land space in this
country is limited, and that owning a piece of the rock in a
traditional sense may not be possible – as we balance our food
production and food security needs with the need for shelter – both
important to human survival.

Admittedly, the concept of high rise living is not one that Barbadians
know well, and may find it hard to embrace. But, the cold, hard fact
is that those of us wishing to own property in this country will
sooner, rather than later, have to embrace other types of housing
solutions other than single family dwelling houses. As we weigh
providing housing solutions for Barbadians against our agricultural
needs and other infrastructural development, it seems more likely than
not that condominium type housing will become more commonplace in this
country.

On another note, it would be good to get an update on the housing
projects left by the former administration which were either
unfinished or unoccupied. It has been quite a while that taxpayers’
money was invested in those housing solutions, and the taxpayers,
especially those who may want to perhaps purchase one of those homes,
have a right to know what are the next steps.

Barbados Advocate

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