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.
Turks and Caicos, February 12, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Border Force recently concluded a series of critical training exercises focused on container targeting, search procedures, and firearms awareness. This initiative, a vital investment in regional security, saw TCI Border Force officers joined by colleagues from the Anguilla Customs Department, BVI Customs Department, and Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control.
The training, conducted from 21st to 31st January, was facilitated by a team from Home Office International Operations through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Border Security Programme and organised via the Integrated Security Funding Overseas Territories Border Security Programme. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of the UK government and participating agencies to combat transnational crime and the flow of illicit goods within the Overseas Territories.
The curriculum encompassed three courses. The first, Fundamentals of Container Targeting (21st-24th January), focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of current priorities and container targeting capabilities, risk analysis within container traffic, and practical exercises utilising intelligence flows. The second, Search of Containers, saw participants receive specialised training on current threats
facing the shipping industry and best practices for container search procedures. Finally, a crucial course on Firearms Awareness provided instruction on various types of firearms and the identification of firearm parts, equipping officers with the knowledge necessary to interdict illegal weapons.
These training exercises represent a significant step forward in strengthening the TCI Border Force’s ability to facilitate trade while protecting the borders of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Enhanced targeting and search capabilities will lead to more effective screening of cargo and potentially shorter processing times for legitimate shipments. Greater security will also be evident as the increased focus on firearms awareness will contribute to a safer environment.
“This training is a crucial investment in the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” stated Emilio Seymour; Director General of
TCI Border Force. “By working collaboratively with our regional partners and leveraging the expertise of the Home Office, we are significantly improving our ability to detect and deter criminal activity. The enhanced skills acquired by our officers will have a direct and positive impact on our community, protecting our economy and ensuring a safer environment for all.”
The TCI Border Force remains committed to protecting the borders of the Turks and Caicos Islands and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. This training initiative represents a significant investment in that commitment.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities
South Caicos
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 11th February 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) have taken a significant step toward a more sustainable energy future with the installation of five (5) solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at key healthcare facilities across the archipelago.
This initiative, funded by the European Union through the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) and implemented by Expertise France, aims to enhance sustainability, reduce operational costs for the TCI Government, and contribute to long-term economic viability.
North Caicos
The solar PV systems have been strategically installed at critical medical facilities, including the Blue Hills Clinic in Providenciales, the Bottle Creek Clinic in North Caicos, the Alsada Hall-Malcolm Primary Healthcare Clinic in Middle Caicos, the South Caicos Primary Health Clinic, and the Wellness Centre in Grand Turk. These healthcare centers provide essential services to local communities, and the integration of solar energy demonstrates TCI’s commitment to environmental responsibility and energy efficiency within vital public sectors.
Leading this transformative initiative is the Energy and Utilities Department (EUD) under the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities (MPSU). The EUD has overseen the installation and integration of these solar PV systems within the local energy landscape, leveraging the islands’ abundant sunshine which averages approximately 350 sunny days per year — an ideal setting for solar energy generation. These systems, equipped with advanced battery storage solutions, will significantly reduce electricity costs for healthcare facilities while ensuring uninterrupted power supply during grid outages or energy supply challenges.
Middle Caicos
EUD Commissioner Delano R. Arthur emphasized the importance of this initiative: “The solar PV systems will greatly reduce electricity costs and symbolize our shift toward a sustainable energy future. This investment not only strengthens energy security, but reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions and environmental impact.”
The collaboration between the European Union, Expertise France, and local government agencies ensures that the project aligns with international renewable energy standards, benefiting both the environment and the community. Installation was successfully carried out by Green Revolution Ltd., a local company committed to advancing sustainable development in TCI. Their involvement highlights the importance of local expertise and community engagement in executing renewable energy initiatives.
Blue Hills
For further information, please contact:
Energy and Utilities Department (EUD)
Email: eud@gov.tc
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