Gov’t should consider affordable housing development — Wheatley
Deputy Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has proposed for central government to consider affordable housing development in the territory.
According to the 2022 Standing Finance Committee (SFC) report, Dr Wheatley gave the example of the East End Harbour Project and said this would be an opportunity for the government to sell condominiums on the water.
Dr Wheatley further related that the Social Security Board (SSB) should be a third-party financier in such instances and let other agencies manage the administration and risk.
The SSB has been overseeing the Joe’s Hill Manor Estate Development on behalf of the government and this has been touted as the first community to be built as a part of the SSB’s first-time homeowners initiative.
Social home should also be considered
Dr Wheatley also stated during the SFC deliberations that he would like the Ministry of Health and Social Development to consider the concept of a Social Home managed by that ministry.
Dr Wheatley’s comment came after a query by Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull about the number of homes being built in his district by the government.
According to the Deputy Premier, a single social home would be a more cost-efficient venture than building each person a home.
Dr Wheatley stated that the people with the need for social homes usually have no means of income or they are faced with severe financial hardship and maybe just looking for a place to rest.
He also stated that there is a financial cost involved when owning and maintaining a home.
In the meantime, Labour Minister Vincent Wheatley noted that there should be engagement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour as it relates to social homes to allow the government to have an interest in the situation for cases where persons die or other circumstances and to ensure that government’s investment is being used for the intended purpose.
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So the joe’s hill project isn’t going to be affordable
ayo want to create more slums?
It seems that slums is what they wish to create. Dr. Wheatley please check the history of what are now called ‘ghetto’ around the world. They all started as “affordable”, “low income” government housing projects.
If you live like a slum well don’t go live there. Stay in your slum. It’s how you live identify your lifestyle slum dog.
I thought the idea of this whole housing project was to provide 1st Generation Virgin Islanders with affordable housing via a low cost loan with the SSB under a long term arrangement with terms and conditions. So at the end of its all persons can at least have some sort of extra cash to investment in themselves. Rents done high already not eveyone can get land and build. This Government is the worst ever. Setting up ppl for when they get old to go old ppl home to die. Fk vip
Everything should be considered now that COI report and elections are around the corner. HLSCC has a lecturer job awaiting your departure from HOA boss man.
as in the projects?
I know it was only a matter of time before one of these clowns in Govt suggest we build housing projects. Bring in the consumer protection law and enforce it. Rent should be regulated under the law.
I am really disappointed by this suggestion!! Almost pissed off at the thought even
where can i find a copy of the standing finance committee report?
What are the houses on Jose Hill considered and what are their cost? Interesting minds want to know.