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.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
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