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By Kevon Browne
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS (WINN): The East Coast Housing Development (ECHD) will officially launch the construction of smart affordable housing in August to address housing issues in St. Kitts and Nevis, according to St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terence Drew.
“I want to announce that the housing program will officially start in August, which is just a few weeks away. East Coast has set up an office on Frigate Bay Road where Sugars is located, and regardless of the negativity and fake news or misinformation that is circulating around the country, this program will provide a lot of jobs for our people and a lot of housing for our people.”
The project, which will be implemented over a four-year period, is part of the government’s housing plan, which promises to build 2,400 homes.
Two model homes were initially constructed for evaluation by St. Kitts and Nevis citizens and residents before the bulk of the program was implemented. A groundbreaking ceremony for the model homes was held on Monday, September 18, 2023, marking the official start of the project.
Construction was initially expected to begin in June 2023, but after extensive planning and groundwork, the groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of the “real” construction work.
East Coast Housing Development officially handed over two climate-smart model homes to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis at a ceremony in Connery on Thursday, March 14, 2024. At the end of the ceremony, Shamarah Huggins received the keys to the Connery Climate Smart Home, while Belinda Buchanan received the keys to the Taylor Home.
The $227 million Smart Homes program aims to provide affordable homes that combine modern technology and sustainable features. The homes include solar energy systems and water storage tanks to promote environmentally friendly living. The program is expected to start with the construction of 600 homes per year, with the first phase expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The program seeks to complete the entire 2,400-home project by 2027, an average of about 600 homes per year.
The project has suffered construction delays.
The National Housing Corporation (NHC) stressed that ensuring quality was more important than rushing construction, and that a balance needed to be struck between speed and possible future problems and repairs.
The delays have raised questions about the practicality of the timeline, as citizens have expressed concerns about the ambitious target of 2,400 homes being built by 2027.
To allay community concerns, officials assured citizens that the government is committed to homeownership and economic revitalization through the project. The housing plan includes job opportunities for local contractors and tradespeople, further stimulating the economy.
The housing program aims to improve communities by providing smart, affordable and stable living conditions for families in St. Kitts and Nevis.
To address the financial challenges, the administration took a multi-pronged approach. They negotiated a financing agreement with East Coast Housing Development to provide adequate funding for the project. In addition, the administration explored federal funding opportunities through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnership Program to support affordable housing initiatives.
Local contractors will play a key role in the project, accounting for 99% of the workforce in the housing development. This approach is expected to create jobs for local skilled workers and aims to enhance their expertise in modern construction techniques using reinforced concrete formwork. By involving the local workforce, the government aims to stimulate the economy and secure community investment in the project.
As the project develops, stakeholders will watch to see how the ambitious goals of the East Coast Housing Development Project are met amidst the challenges set. The project’s focus on quality, community engagement and economic revitalization demonstrates the project’s commitment to providing housing solutions and promoting sustainable development in St. Kitts and Nevis.
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