Bahamas News
Department of Housing’s Rent-to-Own initiative to expand path to homeownership
By STIRLING STRACHAN
Bahamas Information Services
#TheBahamas, October 7, 2022 – The Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Transport and Housing, announced ‘A Place To Call Home’ rent-to-own initiative as part of the government’s promise of new opportunities during her communication to the House of Assembly, October 5, 2022.
“In our party’s Blueprint for Change, we committed to the implementation of a Rent-To-Own initiative to expand the path to homeownership for Bahamians,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.
The Department of Housing is currently reviewing over 1,200 active applications for housing. Each customer service representative at the department is currently managing over 350 applications. These applications are from all segments of society and include teachers, nurses, police officers, hospitality workers and bankers to name a few.
Over the past few months, she said, her team at the Ministry of Transport and Housing has been working diligently on a viable and sustainable Rent-To-Own structure.
“I am pleased and humbled,” she said, to advise of the launch of Phase I of ‘A Place To Call Home,’ a Rent-To-Own
initiative of the Department of Housing.
The Minister stated:
“A Place To Call Home is being launched under the Housing Act which empowers the Department of Housing to:
- Construct dwelling houses upon land owned by the Government or to be acquired for such purposes;
- Acquire dwelling houses, land or housing projects by way of purchase, lease or otherwise;
- Sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of real of personal property acquired pursuant to this Act;
“As I have indicated in this chamber on numerous occasions the Davis administration believes ‘wholeheartedly in empowering hardworking Bahamians through homeownership.’ We believe, in a balanced development that puts Bahamians at the center of the evolution of our communities and our country.
“One of the recommendations of the internal report is the implementation of a viable and sustainable Rent-To-Own programme. It is my belief that ‘A Place To Call Home’ is that initiative.
“The mission statement of ‘A Place To Call Home’ is to provide a sustainable path to homeownership, to empower, to create value and to make a difference in the lives of Bahamians.”
She continued: “A Place To Call Home will be built on integrity. We will be transparent, honest, and accountable with the Bahamian people. A Place To Call Home will be innovative. We will use technology and proven best practices from Rent-To-Own initiatives from New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. A Place To Call Home will have impact. We will use data analysis and employ delivery solutions to ensure that we deliver value for the Bahamian people.
“A Place To Call Home is designed for working Bahamians. It is a multi-island, sustainable, financially viable housing solution administered by the Department of Housing with oversight provided by an Advisory Committee – comprised of qualified and experienced Bahamian professionals from the public and private sectors.
“Phase 1 of A Place To Call Home will be rolled out in very short order on the island of Abaco and will initially include 5 housing units. The homes will be in Spring City, the Minister noted, this Abaco rollout of A Place To Call Home is a partnership with the Bahamas Mortgage Corporate (BMC).
“We are starting A Place To Call Home, in Abaco, because this administration understands that the need for housing on the island is great. We also understand that the cost of rent on the island is significant – so this RTO initiative will assist in lowering the cost of housing.
“I said in my address to the Abaco Business Outlook that we will not abandon Abaconians. My ministry will deliver on that promise. At the Department of Housing, we understand that housing must complement national development and assist in regenerating our Family Islands. Therefore, A Place To Call Home will be multi-island. For example, the people of San Salvador – where there is major employment with the Club Med Resort – will be hearing about our plans shortly. In Bimini and North Eleuthera, where we seeing strong tourism numbers, A Place To Call Home will be launched. In Cat Island, Exuma, and North Andros, we will offer our Rent-To-Own initiative. Bahamians across our country will have a viable path to homeownership through A Place To Call Home and other housing solutions that the Department of Housing is working on.
“Deputy Speaker, an important component of A Place To Call Home will be to expand economic opportunities to licensed small contractors on our islands with a proven and verified track-record of quality performance and
excellence. We understand that economic benefits must trickle down, Deputy Speaker, so I say to small contractors, very simply – get ready!
“A number of housing models will be used in A Place To Call Home. The models will range from a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom model, to a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom model.
“A Place To Call Home, Deputy Speaker, gives Bahamians the opportunity to save up for their first dream home while living in it at the same time. Over an agreed fixed period, rent will be paid to the Department of Housing. A portion of the rent will go towards a down payment for the mortgage, property maintenance, and insurance costs.
A reservation deposit is required to enroll in A Place To Call Home. Successful applicants will be required to attend a home ownership education course through the Department of Housing and agree to financial coaching. In short order a public invitation will be extended for interested applicants to register at www.mothbahamas.com. Bahamians are encouraged to follow the Ministry of Transport and Housing’s social media pages and to listen out for further information on radio and television.”
Minister Coleby-Davis said: “I understand that many Bahamians would like an example of how ‘A Place To Call Home’ will work. Therefore, let me give an analogy and explain. Mary Johnson is a teacher. She is interested in enrolling in ‘A Place To Call Home.’ Mary registers online with the Department of Housing and is advised of the cost of a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home. She selects the housing solution to lease for 12 months with the purchase option. Mary also indicates that her preferred financial institution is The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC).”
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
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