More homes coming

CLOSE TO 150 low-income earners could soon be homeowners.
This disclosure came from Minister of Housing Michael Lashley during a tour at Woodbourne, St Philip, where at least 15 of those homes will be located.
Another 20 will be constructed at Lancaster I and II, St James, and more than 120 at Parish Land, St Philip. Four one-bedroom houses, two wooden and two wall, are currently under construction at the Woodbourne site. He said the houses were primarily for those people earning $3 000 or less per month, who could not necessarily afford a mortgage.
“We want to cater to that category that cannot purchase a house over $120 000 or thereabouts,” Lashley said.
The houses are priced at $85 000 and the accompanying 3 000 square feet of land at $5 per square foot. They have one bedroom,  one bathroom and kitchen with cupboards. Lashley said other designs, including a bare shell that would reduce costs, were available.
“This house is basically a starter home house . . . . It means basically that the prospective owner will then get the remainder of the plans at NHC and then that person would then continue the house as, we in Barbados say, their pocket allows you to do. What we’re doing here is we’ll be looking to drive the costs down,” the minister explained.
He added that all the houses were built in such a way that they could be expanded over time.
He said the cost made the houses accessible to most Barbadians, and that if they opted to be part of the rent to own programme, it would be even more affordable. (YB)