PM: Govt seeking to offer low cost lots in western NP

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday that the government is planning a number of subdivisions to make homeownership more accessible for young Bahamians.

“A key element of both near-term economic recovery and long-term inclusive economic growth will be the provision of affordable residential properties and homes,” Minnis said in the House of Assembly.

“And, Mr. Speaker, this is most important, especially for our young people. Many of our young people find great difficulty in purchasing land within our country.”

Noting that there has already been an “overwhelming response” to a Carmichael subdivision, where lots are being sold for $15,000, Minnis announced the development of another subdivision in his constituency, where lots will be available for $50,000.

“Today, I am pleased to advise that through a [public-private partnership] PPP arrangement, we will be soon launching commencement of a 150 lot subdivision upscale, in the western New Providence area, that will be geared strictly to young professionals, young Bahamians,” he said.

“Mr. Speaker, the cost of land, especially in the western area, is prohibitive. Our young professionals coming back or finishing the University of The Bahamas cannot afford to buy land.”

Minnis added, “Land is too expensive and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that Bahamians can participate in moving forward with the Bahamian dream. They want to own a home. They want jobs and they want a proper quality of life.

“Land has been identified, and we are concentrating on 150 lots, upscale; a clubhouse will be included. But the demand was so great that we have looked for more. And I am proud to say that we have identified another area, all in the western district and in the Killarney constituency.

“…These lots when complete will be worth a minimum of $150,000. And we will sell these lots to our Bahamians so that they can get a start at $50,000.”

Minnis said people who purchase in those subdivisions will be able to build their homes duty-free.

He also noted that such subdivisions will also be created on other islands.

Minnis pointed particularly to Abaco and Grand Bahama, which were devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, and noted that there are many people residing in shantytowns who are entitled to access to the planned subdivisions.

“The land program will not be confined,” he said.

“We are already looking at land in the Murphy Town area to do a similar project. But, Mr. Speaker, we also recognize that individuals in Abaco and Grand Bahama, for example, have undergone a lot more stress…than us in New Providence and other Family Islands.

“They were hit with Dorian and then COVID, which would have impacted them economically even more than the other Family Islands. And knowing that their permanent status would have changed, it’s only fair…that the land sold to individuals in Abaco or Grand Bahama should be even less.”

Minnis added, “But I want Bahamians to hear – there are many individuals who are living in these so-called dilapidated facilities of Haitian descent within Abaco and New Providence.

“Many are regularized. Many are Bahamians and they, too, are entitled to land also so that they can move out of such spoiled conditions into proper facilities so that when and if they are hit by any hurricane, they are protected.

“The only thing I ask of them is we are Bahamians. We are not Haitian Bahamians. We are Bahamians and therefore that’s the name of the brand that we will carry. And they are entitled to land within such divisions created within The Bahamas, be it Inagua, New Providence, wherever.

“They are Bahamians under the constitution.”

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/pm-govt-seeking-to-offer-low-cost-lots-in-western-np/