Persons to lose homes over garbage pile-up

Minister of Social Development Ronnie Skelton said future homeowners run the risk of losing their homes if pile-ups of garbage are found on their premises at the new housing developments being undertaken by the Social Security Board.

Making reference to the phase of the project that is already underway at Joe’s Hill on Tortola, the minister further warned: “On this site also, there will be no derelict vehicles of any kind. A derelict vehicles is classified as a boat; a car. There will be none of that on this site… You might lose your home for accumulating garbage on site.”

Skelton also stated that he wants the said housing development to be a showpiece.

“It’s important for us to understand that we want this to be the showpiece. There are people who will be coming to this country just to look to see what was done,” he said.

The Social Security Board has initiated the ‘affordable’ housing programme to give lower to mid-income individuals and families in the British Virgin Islands an opportunity to own their own homes.

The first phase of the programme will be known as Joe’s Hill Manor, where some 53 residential units will be built on seven acres of land in the Road Town and Long Bush area.

The project, which is expected to be completed by December 2019, is estimated to cost $14 million.

“It will be a game changer. We expect bumps on the road, but we expect the project to be finished on budget and on time,” Skelton said.