BAHAMAS: Department of Housing Poised to Allow Sale of Service Lots in Sunset Close

#Bahamas, April 11, 2018 – Nassau – The Ministry of Housing and the Environment “has in hand” the Title documents that will allow them to begin selling Service Lots located in Sunset Close Subdivision as part of the Department of Housing’s new thrust.  The number of Service Lots in Sunset Close Subdivision – located off Carmichael Road behind the Carmichael Road Post Office – amounts to ten.  Another 10 lots will be made available in the Lionel Davis Subdivision in Fox Hill.

The new thrust is part of the Minnis Administration’s “ambitious housing programme” that will be rolled out in the coming months aimed at providing potential first-time homeowners with “a significant opportunity for homeownership.”

Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Anthony Newbold, said Tuesday (during his afternoon Press Briefing held at the Cecil V. Wallace Whitfield Centre) that Ministry officials are also reviewing the engineering plans for the proposed Carmichael Village Subdivision that will consist of 301 lots.

The Carmichael Village Subdivision will be located in the area adjacent to Dignity Gardens.  Subdivisions are also being planned for San Salvador and Eleuthera as the Government continues its process towards providing affordable housing for its citizens.

Administration officials say access to affordable housing is “critical for social and economic development.”

The Department of Housing has shifted its focus from the construction of houses to the sale of service lots.  Through this programme, the Government will provide low-cost lots to potential first-time homeowners.  The lots will be supplied with all of the necessary utilities.

Buyers will be responsible for constructing their own homes utilizing their own architects, or pre-existing housing plans offered by the Government. The potential homeowners will have two years within which to construct their homes.

“Because the lots will be inexpensive, we expect scores of first-time homeowners to take advantage of this programme.  We look forward to many Bahamians taking advantage of this significant opportunity for home-ownership.”

The announcement on the service lots was one of several relating to the Ministry of Housing and Environment the Press Secretary made during his Press Briefing.

Mr. Newbold said a multi-sectoral committee made up of persons from the public and private sectors will begin to evaluate proposals for the management of the New Providence Landfill. The closing date for those proposals was Monday, April 9 (2018).

The Press Secretary further said officials at the Ministry have identified a number of staff who are expected to begin “prosecutorial training” with a view to reviving the Environmental Court.

“The idea is to revive the Environmental Court which has been dormant over the past five years, with a view to addressing the environmental abuses that have been going on whether it is pollution or just plain dumping.”

Press Secretary Newbold said the Ministry is also conducting an assessment of the historic Gambier Village Community “where the plan is to mount a massive cleanup of the area.”

“Speaking about abusing the environment, and if you look in your respective dailies, you will see Notices from the Port Department and the Department of Environmental Health (DEHS) for the removal of litter and ships/vessels from Arawak Cay, and also to vacate portions of the Cay for which some people may have had licenses or approval to operate from.

“The idea is to begin the process of cleaning up the area and stop it from being an eyesore/environmental health hazard. Thirty days is the time given for all concerned to clean up their act or have whatever property that is left there, disposed of or confiscated,” Press Secretary Newbold said.