News
A Home For The Holidays
Turks and Caicos, December 18, 2024 – As we approach the holiday season, the Turks and Caicos Islands should be a place of warmth, community, and security—where families come together to celebrate without fear of losing their homes or facing the overwhelming burden of skyrocketing rents. This is not just a policy issue—it’s a daily struggle for many of our people, especially those working hard to make ends meet but still unable to afford a place to call home.
It’s heartbreaking to know that many locals are at risk of losing their homes or are already burdened with exorbitant rent prices that leave them with little room to breathe. Many are caught in a system where banks foreclose on their homes, the dream of homeownership slips further out of reach, and long-term rental options grow increasingly scarce. The reality is simple: our housing market is in crisis, and it is our own people who are paying the price.
In Providenciales, where housing demand has skyrocketed, the supply of affordable homes and apartments has not kept pace. One-bedroom
and two-bedroom apartments have become luxury items. Even when available, they are priced far beyond the reach of the average Turks and Caicos Islander. Worse still, many landlords are converting properties into short-term vacation rentals for tourists, further reducing the number of homes available to our people.
As Christmas approaches, the government continues to talk about strategies and promises to address the crisis. But let’s be clear: these are just promises. Initiatives like the $50 million mortgage fund, while a step in the right direction, do little to alleviate the immediate pain locals are experiencing. How many families will lose their homes before this fund becomes operational? How many will struggle with rising rents and falling wages this holiday season before meaningful change occurs?
The truth is that while the government boasts of its initiatives, the majority of Turks and Caicos Islanders are not seeing results. Prices continue to climb, homes remain out of reach, and local families face the heartbreaking possibility of being priced out of their communities. For many, this Christmas season is filled with fear—not celebration. To borrow a line from our party’s leader, the Hon. Edwin Astwood: “We are being priced out of paradise.”
This is not just a matter of policy—it’s a matter of human dignity. The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands deserve the opportunity to own homes, provide stability for their families, and live with peace of mind, knowing they won’t be evicted or displaced. We need a government that listens to the struggles of the average person, recognizes the urgent need for affordable housing, and acts swiftly to address this crisis.
This Christmas, my heart goes out to everyone struggling to find a home. I see you, I hear you, and I won’t forget you. I understand the pain of not being able to provide a secure and stable home for your family. As your representative, I promise to address the housing crisis by creating affordable housing solutions, resolving the mortgage crisis, and ensuring a government that prioritizes its people.
We can no longer afford to wait. The time for action is now. By next Christmas, let’s ensure every Turk and Caicos Islander has an affordable home—a place they can call their own—because home is where we all deserve to be.
We must prioritize affordable housing for locals, make Crown land accessible and affordable, and enact policies to protect our people from losing their homes. The time for empty promises is over.
I am ready to work with you to build a future where every Turk and Caicos Islander has access to safe, affordable housing—not just for the holiday season but for generations to come.
About Sean Astwood
Sean Astwood served as the Deputy Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is running At-Large in the next general elections. A successful businessman, he is a strong advocate for small businesses, transparency, and good governance. Astwood is an active proponent of using technology to improve the lives of all Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders,
executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.
Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.
In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.
The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.
This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.
(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.
Key Activities Included:
Educational Training Sessions
Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.
House Call Talk Show Feature
A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.
Red Fridays Awareness Campaign
Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.
Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run
In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of
heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.
Digital Health Education Campaign
To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.
Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment
While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:
- Community-based education initiatives
- Preventative screening and early detection programs
- Lifestyle and wellness promotion
- Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes
“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant. “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”
For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc
About TCI Hospital
TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.
Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership
experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.
A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.
Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.
Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:
“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”
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