Container homes shouldn’t be allowed in BVI!
Radio talk show host and clergyman Pastor Claude Skelton Cline said BVI authorities should not allow persons to use 40-foot containers to build homes as this has the potential to devalue the ‘housing stock’ in the territory.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking radio show on October 18, Skelton Cline said he noticed that large shipping containers were being used to construct a building in his neighbourhood. He said the Town and Country Planning Department confirmed that the structure being built is a house.
However, Skelton Cline said he is totally against these types of dwellings as they will not only devalue real estate in the territory but are not suitable to withstand certain natural disasters that usually affect the BVI.
“Since when do we approve containers as residential boarding in this country? What becomes of the housing market in terms of the value of properties? You have the issues of structural integrity, we are living in an earthquake, hurricane zone. How is this in the best interest of the country?” Skelton Cline questioned.
He said he bears similar sentiments for the importation of old vehicles and right-hand drive vehicles into the BVI.
“My goodness! Where is the leadership? What is it that has made the Virgin Islands the dumping ground for everybody’s stuff? And we accept it — hook, line and sinker. What culture and standards are we trying to maintain? Or do we not have any?” Skelton Cline argued.
The clergyman said regulations should be put in place to stop the building of container dwellings as the approval of one will encourage others to build similar structures.
BVIslanders generally take pride in building and preserving multi-storey and multi-generational homes. Many use their properties as a source of income — renting to expatriates or hosting short-term renters such as Airbnb guests.
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Why don’t you take some of the money you constantly get from Government contracts to help folks construct proper homes ?
If we continue to drive on the left, all vehicles should be righthand drive.
I was in Bahrain when they changed from driving on the left, to driving on the right. For years of left hand drive, from the British influence, many arabs imported left hand drive american cars, much like here, but also there were plenty of righthand drive vehicles. When they changed sides government decreed that righthand drive cars were now unsafe, completely ignoring the fact that previously lefthand drive cars were unsafe! Got that?!
To sum up, driving on the left needs righthand drive vehicles. I am sure the USVI only drives on the left as a tourist attraction, and they, and we, need to make a momentous decision, to use our roads as the rest of the world does, be it on the right or the left.
As much as it pains me to say it. It’s not just houses, but all sorts of shops and work buildings. The place is looking like a container port!
What happened to using local materials like stone? Our solid stone walls survived Irma undamaged. For high rises, concrete. Or even the charming traditional wood houses on Main Street.
Look at any old container. They rust in the sea air. Not a good choice.
I guess if we all had pockets full of allegedly stolen money like Fraud Skeleton-Crime we could all build as he thinks we should. Until everyone gets a multi-thousand dollar contract with no deliverables the rest of us will do what is best for our families and he can go siddung. MS.
Here we go again with Mr. Know-it-All!!
It will not devalue the general market since this concept would only serve a small sector. It actually gives an affordable and structurally sound option to a lot of the population that cannot even get ‘through the door’ based on at the current value of home sales, let alone building costs.
Like all things there would need to be guidelines that are adhered to both aesthetically and how the foundations for the container should be spec’ed.
Personally, they are not my style but absolutely must be considered for young people wishing to get started in a market that is very arboratory and over-valued.
Once again, this a$$ is given a podium to talk $hit about something he knows nothing about. I am so sick of any of his opinions! As usual this greedy, poisonous and self-serving ‘man of God’ posing as a ‘social justice’ warrior broadcasts his ignorance to the people while the world watches the fools that ‘guide’ our people.
CSC you have no place in God’s kingdom is not everyone gets free money for doing nothing and build houses and also makes business out of it you should start by helping instead of always charting stupidness.
See them fighting for power cause they know not d hour wickedness will prevail but only for a little while.
like a 70 old, don’t worry. We will be fine.
He’s right my extreme
Lower intestine !!!
Is that the same rass who built a Styrofoam house with two inch wide metal straps for bracing each 12 inches , the scratch coated it with some mortar ?
@Lodger, what are you on about mate? *blank stare*
TOO MANY POOR PEOPLE ALLOWED TO COME INTO THE BVI….THEY ARE GOING TO CREATE SLUMS AND GHETTOS
WELL SAH! WE GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF SHANTY TOWNS. MEHSON CART UR RASS FROM SPEWING BS. FURTHERMORE WHY YUH DON’T JUST SAVE IT FO UR PEW.
Curious to know who this is for…. as far as I was aware there are regulations in place for any residential building that certainly cannot be met by a container….
This man really out of touch. Maybe if all of us was getting 6 figure government contracts to do absolutely nothing then this would have made sense.
It is this elitist mentality that is killing us here. There is nothing wrong in aspiring to have nice homes, but we have to learn first to live within our means. On the contrary many of us are living the “MADISON AVENUE LIFESTYLE ON MAUBI POCKETS” and if we are following the news the chickens are slowly coming home to roost.
The Town and Country Department is tasked with ensuring the structural soundness of buildings and our architects are skilled enough to provide us with attractive, comfortable affordable designs for these container homes. I think if a survey was done on the number of Belongers under 40 who own their own homes the % would be quite low. It is not just expats that are living in apartments but rather many of our young people who are more and more finding it challenging to make that leap to becoming a homeowner. CSC and particularly those who aspire to be leaders in this territory need to wake up to the realities around us so that we can truly begin to rebuild and strengthen the eroding foundation of this country and save the coming generations.
ha. but the 1000 1/2 built cement block wrecks of last 60 years are cool? or the disney cartoon garbage “I’m rich” pads. sadly the housing stock looks like wrinkled c**k. that is why fools in tola trying to sell their spec or “fantasy” builds of 6000′ get no buyers for 1/2 asking. dem buy oil nut or lil dix where there is some control on style, layout, and maintain things.you paying $5m seeing trash bags every day? (see st barts, where all the local homes rent $20/wk+) . tola, u happy with what u got? if not, clean s**t up and get a real fkn architect if you want todays educated rich to buy/rent here. they respect good design, also cleaning up ones trash. ps this guy wrong and dumb on prefab container.
and for the f**l here, BVI news need get bought out or competed into submission so we don’t have this socia-polical-economist here, equivalently as useful to our society as hellen keller is, coaching obstacle course navigation.}
What a load of BS.
Kinda hypocritical when you look at some of the concrete structures here that are unsightly and in dissrepair. I think more unsightly and land devalueing is the many many unfinished buildings that have a myriad of pipes and rebar sticking out of their roofs. Is that the kind of look you prefere?
Container homes can be built in a way that are astheticly pleasing, safe and hurricane proof and affordable, especially in today’s market where it’s extremely difficult for first time buyers to get on the housing market.
Not all of us get free money from our crooked friends in government.
Get a life Mr Crime.
With the way this rent prices look its the best thing besides y dnt he work with government to build house dat d poor people in this territory living
on minimum wage can actually afford to live in sum of dem container building looks way better than some of these apartment thats around this place cline live need to live pepole let them survive how ever they cud
Oil Nut Bay, Peter Island Resort, numerous others have “modular” dwellings, set on proper foundations. There is a large market for container conversion and modular “flat racked” buildings that are assembled in place. All of the multi thousand square foot log homes in the mountains were built off site and assembled in place. CSC lives in dream-land where everyone is rich and can afford $500 per ft2 homes.
This man need to go .online and see how container houses around the world look some lookd mansion he hav sitting on hill and u wud never no its container
Mr.Cline, I understand your concern but maybe town and country planning can influence on how these container homes be built after all the homes on lower estate hill is not priced for low income people so you should consider other alternatives.
You SIR, lack innovation and need to look at the bigger picture.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Why the ppl with gold spoon in their always feel they should dictate what poor ppl do?
Who tell him the container dwelling isn’t temporary fix until they build their house? He think rent cheap? he would not know he live in his big house on the hill looking down on the guy in his container home.
is not easy and cheap building a home and paying rent at the same time. so Skelton SHUT UP!!
Engineers have spoken abut the integrity of these homes, which is properly assembled can withstand natural disasters. Are you am engineer?
This man is no engineer. He knows nothing what he is talking about.
How does building a modular home on my property, affect the housing market? It is my home and my property. These container homes can be quite fancy and top of the line when finished and out-fitted.
Additionally they are in fact hurricane grade once properly attached to a concrete foundation.
We really need to stop quoting this buffoon. Look at a container home below.
https://www.houseplans.com/plan/5553-square-feet-4-bedroom-5-5-bathroom-4-garage-contemporary-modern-beach-sp124593?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3ZnWutPs-gIVHA2tBh2G_Au8EAQYAyABEgIgFfD_BwE
I disagree with Claude’s statement for these reasons:
1. I remember some years ago someone suggested bringing Containers into BVI as homes and the person was pounce upon by persons.
2. The BVI is no different than anywhere else.
3. I am a BVI lander and has travelled to other Countries and have seen some of the cutest constructed buildings and was told those are Container homes.
4. BVI people can talk a good talk but cannot walk because of many ailments,
5. There are times when I am proud to be a BVIslander BUT there are times when I keep quiet…
6. People talk and talk about we need Zoning Act but yet to see one.
7. How do you think I feel on a daily basis when I arise and sit on my Porch only to see Garage with all manner of old, never to run Vehicles and other Industrial buildings? I dont own the Land next to me so I cannot do swat about this.
8. If there was a zoning Act passed in the HOA and people are given areas for Commercial activities, areas for Industrial activities and areas for residential activities then what is wrong with Container homes?
There is no problem once controlled with Container homes once they are built to established standards.
Some may disagree with me by saying the BVI is no different than other places but it’s true. Some of the best Architectural homes I have seen are outside the BVI. Some of the best beaches are outside the BVI. Some of the best Hotels/Resorts are outside the BVI. and I can go on and on.
Use containers for jail cells
Mr. Skelton Cline… Blather and nonsense!
See “www.containingluxury.com
See also: “www.containingluxury.com
CCS get too accustomed to easy life yuh hear. Time for the government to start taxing churches just like everybody else.
who get lucrative Government contracts and don’t deliver against these contracts should not be allowed in the BVI..
No to these homes for the sole reason that they are unsafe in the VI during hurricanes. One person lost their life
The rich want to remain rich at all cost while the poor suffer..this is so sad
Why are we giving this man a platform to spew his venom? Well, if container homes aren’t allowed here, his franchise (restaurants) needs to go. As far as I know doesn’t allow it. Somebody needs to tell him want all get none at all!
Why you try to assist those who struggling with low income to with a housing. Since you think trailer housing is not good enough. People struggling to pay with income they carrying home
Why everything them man say makes news ?
Why does anyone pay any mind whenever this jackass brays? Send he ass** back to Detroit
I agree with you 100%. In terms of right hand drive cars and that’s the correct vehicle for the BVI as you drive on the left side of the road. That’s why they can’t do anything about it,get your facts right. This fake pastor is so ignorant and things everyone should think like him,well we don’t. Go look for new people to lie too….
headline should read “Detroit smart men should not be allowed into the BVI”
Have you seen the prices for those SOCIAL SECURITY HOUSING PROJECT HOME COST ?????? How the hell we going afford land and build in it cause I’m sure plenty have land but can’t afford to start building on its … Who is you ?? Folks like y’all need to chill and accept this world is modernizing whether you want it to or not …. Be stuck in your faith not the ways of man a you to will understand what’s for you is for you but don’t watch others suffer and still beat them down even more left to consume crumbs….
A container home can be easily installed and removed, should the real estate go up and be worth the investment. From a developer’s perspective, labor costs are the bulk of the cost, so ‘stone work’ is not affordable for most.
Shipping containers are great for the saline environment since corten (what they are made of) is a special alloy that doesn’t rust. Which is why it is used in transatlantic shipments. What you call rust is a patina that grows on the surface to protect the metal. Nothing a coat of paint can’t hide if it is not to your taste.
the problem for them are they want to continue abusing the foreing workers charging expensive rent , light bills and water bills to the workers in british island that the workers cant save money
Meantthumps up
Love love love the innovation that’s happening in the BVI. I attending container home tours on the mall in DC during national homeownership month. They homes were just fabulously. Some were two stories. I am not an engineer, but an earthquake will cause cracks in cement structures. Wouldnt the metal in the container homes be more sturdy with a little shifting in an earthquake?
They won’t like your comment because it’s true. That is exactly what is beginning to happen. They bawling bout having to live hand to mouth but not that they couldn’t live at all in their home country!!
Lol yep
Re: Are you an Engineer, hell no, he is a consultant as per his COI testimony! just that he does not know nor understands what true consultancy entails! Just wanted to sound super important. The COI was like a super highlighter, latent stuff were made visible.
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to order email / [email protected]
You are so correct he sounds so mom intelligent talking about right hand drive vehicles I can understand the year limit been imposed but to talk about right hand drive vehicles he is dumb plain and simple this is British not America
CSC
BVi should ban sales of microphones to hypocritical fraudsters.
Is there a rule in place only allowing containers to be used for businesses? If not I haved looked at the idea of a container home myself using multiple containers. There are some great ideas on the internet for designs
Claude Cline – You advertise your uncle’s fowl farm that’s located in a residential area. The residents can’t get a breath of fresh air. It’s to the point where homes are unlivable! You here talking about property value. People houses in CGB don’t have value too! Don’t people have a right to life-giving fresh air? God never slumbers nor sleeps and he doesn’t like ugly! Vengence is HIS.
And for schools and libraries on each district . It would be cheaper than renting CTL spaces.
Says who? People who have money and can buy, build and design any home their heart desires. That may be the only opportunity some people may have to own a home without living under rent or paying a mortgage for the rest of their lives. I am positive that there are measures that can be taken to make these types of houses storm ready. But no, once it doesn’t, please a certain set of people then to hell with it and forget about the benefit to the other person.
The BVI had/has the choice of importing and installing wealth for its people and their future generation. Instead,it continues to import and install poverty in keeping with the expectation of failed economy of Black countries. Guaranteed decreased property value, decline in quality education,rise in illnesses and medical cost ,overcrowded prison and judicial system.
Another example to underscore the failure of Black folks in everything except Sports and Buffoonery.
Facilitated by the moronic process of importing and installing a burgeoning human population of the poor needy and marginal with a propensity for violence,illiteracy and birthing.
A classic study of Blacks and their need to self anihilate.
These comments though. Everything as changed over many years, and I think container house can be very beautiful if you know how to get it done properly. I’ve seen container house that are 2 floors and you can’t tell if its block or metal.
Exactly!!!!
So much people cant afford what the housing market are providing at this time . If it is under building code and its profitable and affordable…..why not !!!