BVI News

At least 12 rent-to-own homes to be built on VG

Ninth District Representative where Virgin Gorda is located, Vincent Wheatley.

In a bid to target a more extensive section of the population, plans are underway to construct a dozen homes in North Sound on Virgin Gorda.

Minister for Natural Resources and Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley told BVI News on Wednesday that the undertaking will be on a rent-to-own basis.

“The area is already selected and I am attempting to build at least 12 affordable homes because if I can give you a home and you can rent to own it, it is much easier for you and faster than saying, ‘here’s a half-acre of land, go build a house’,” Wheatley said.

He continued: “When you are finished paying for it, which should be in the range of a $100,000 to $200,000. It’s yours and you get a deed after which you can rent or sell or do whatever you want with it.”

The Ninth District Representative said the programme is specifically targeting first-time homeowners.

“I have an architect right now working on a plan for me and I will be meeting with him soon to see how much it would cost and what would the terms be … If it is not affordable, you are defeating the purpose,” Wheatley further said.

The Natural Resources Minister said he is working alongside the Social Security Board to get the funding for the project.

“I hope to break ground this year,” he added.

Applicants who can build will be targeted

In the meantime, applicants who can demonstrate that they are able to construct homes “in a reasonable amount of time” will be given preference for these new homes, Wheatley said.

“We are going to seek those persons out deliberately,” he stated.

“I’ve been around lands for a very long time, and I have seen persons who have bought land 30 years ago, and to this day there is nothing on it,” he said.

The minister was at the time speaking against the backdrop that young persons are interested in becoming landowners in the territory.

At the time he said some 600 persons had already submitted applications to the ministry and that figure is growing daily.

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17 Comments

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  1. Hmm says:

    Housing projects what a shame this is the end results of the Virgin Gorda people Birthright being sold from under them by their country’s leaders and cronies.

    Like 5
    Dislike 37
    • CW says:

      Didn’t read the article AT ALL huh? Just dropping mean spirited STRUPE COMMENTS. Always tearing people down and crying, even over sometime good. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HELP BVI?

      Like 27
      Dislike 1
  2. Good...but says:

    “It’s yours and you get a deed after which you can rent or sell or do whatever you want with it.”

    I like the concept but don’t agree with this part.

    Like 6
    Dislike 12
    • CW says:

      People should be able to do whatever they want with their own property. You can sell or rent your house can’t you? Well then? If they pay for it and it’s theirs why shouldn’t they have same rights as you?

      Like 20
      Dislike 4
  3. Please! says:

    Let me know where so I can steer clear! Asking for a friend…..

    Like 2
    Dislike 10
  4. Anonymous says:

    We have not much land left. The best of what we had was stolen from our recent ancestors in the form of below market value and out right thieft sales.

    Places such as Spring, Trunk and Little Dix were basically robbed from our family. Mr. Vanterpool who owned all that land in Spring Bay for example, was stolen from him for a bowl of soup every Sunday. Who know know.

    frankly, the R**’s need to give back 50% of the land to the Vanterpool family that they may have some place to build a shelter. As, they know that those huge acrage were deceptively ill-gotten.

    Like 6
    Dislike 14
  5. Gordaguy2 says:

    Rent to own is a great way for people to get into the housing market as long as the finance costs are not too great and the monthly payments actually go toward the purchase price in a decent amortization.

    Like 11
  6. Rent to own says:

    What a great concept. In the UK the government sold Council houses with a stipulation if the house is resold within 5/10 years a declining % of the profit is paid back. Hence once fully paid suggest a similar 5 tie-in to avoid awarding houses to people only interested in speculation – or who will be back with relatives having sold the house!

  7. My X counts says:

    V-W for the Win can be our next Premier Too

  8. Ausar says:

    Not in agreement at all!

    If a man purchases property and chooses to leave it for future generations, hence undevelopment, whats wrong with that?

    This project appears to be rifed with encumbrances levied against the Virgin Gordian people. Why cant the government allow persons to purchase property at below values?

    Why is the government not working with banks to assist persons with affordable loans to afford to build?

    And why is the government not allowing young persons to borrow against Social Security earnings to obtain homes?

    Why should they rent to own? Why cant they start to pay to own from the incept?

    It appears to me that Virgin Gorda has become another Mustique and all thats left for “natives” is to live on top of each other, bogged down in a scheme of never to own; the real jest of the game!

    Like 4
    Dislike 4
  9. Windy says:

    Ans who is going to pay rent to the government ? Look at Crafts Alive & Pier park

  10. Anonymous says:

    100% Ausar correct! Reeatd, 100% correct Ausar!

  11. Drone says:

    Your questions and bottom statement seem like those of a crazy person.

  12. Great idea says:

    YES! It is crazy there is all this building everywhere and it is not for single family homes. Let’s get more locals to own their own homes. Virgin Gorda is full of rental homes (and the owners are still living at home with their parents…wtf!?) Every other island I go to has little neighborhoods with well kept single family homes. You can’t have a community without real people living in their own homes. Way to go Vincent!

  13. Anonymous says:

    No ownership of land, no home.

    No home, no community.

    No community, no pride.

    No pride, no hope.

  14. 9th District says:

    Welcomed news Minister but I have a question about. There persons with ties to Virgin Gorda who have lived outside the BVI for more than twenty five years but are interested in applying for Crown Lands. Will such person be given the same considerations as person who currently live in the district or wider BVI and have been all their lives?

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