Govt launches HOPE project at Lancaster

Government is off to a good start towards achieving its goal of 640 housing solutions in this financial year, breaking ground earlier today on construction of 165 middle-income units under the Home Ownership Providing Energy (HOPE) initiative at Vespera Gardens, Lancaster, St James.

Speaking at the launch of the project, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley explained that this was a major step in solving the longstanding challenge of affordable housing.

Mottley said that apart from being a basic human need, housing was one of the surest ways that a country could empower its citizens.

“The housing needs of Barbadians are multifaceted and because there are different needs we expect, over the course of the next few months, to see a number of different responses coming forward . . . . This HOPE project will allow us to have affordable houses at rates of $800 per month for a two-bedroom house and $1 000 repayment for a three-bedroom house,” said Mottley.

Thirty-two homes have been earmarked for the Lancaster site, while similar developments will take place at Colleton, St Lucy and St John within the next 18 months.

While explaining the HOPE project last year, Mottley had said: “We have just agreed to the establishment of a company called HOPE Inc. and HOPE Inc. will essentially undertake housing . . . . So put simply, those potential owners, who are prepared to enter a contract to assign the benefits of their roof for energy production through solar photovoltaic panels, will then be able to have access to the land on which their house will be built, without having to pay for the land. (CLM)