Bahamas News
Minister Bell ddresses meeting escalating housing needs
By Stirling Strachan
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — “This Budget is not just a national document,” said the Hon. Keith Bell Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal during his contribution to the 2025/26 budget debate in the House of Assembly, June 17. “It is a tool to support and strengthen our work in communities like Carmichael. It reflects the values, aspirations and real needs of the people I represent.
First and foremost, Minister Bell said, this budget seeks to respond to the very real pressures Bahamians are facing from the rising cost of living. It does so in a practical, targeted and fiscally responsible way.
“This Budget extends the list of VAT-reduced items. Providing much needed relief at the grocery store and at the cash register.”
“Let me be clear,” Minister Bell said, “this is not just about one or two token items like corned beef. This is an extensive list carefully designed to bring broad-based relief to working families.”
Here is what’s most important. Minister Bell said, “We are doing it without raising taxes elsewhere.”
In recent months, electricity bills have come down, not because of talk, but because of real, tangible reform, said Minister Bell.
“This budget takes those reforms even further. It introduces duty waivers for individuals purchasing high-efficiency appliances, making it more affordable for families to reduce their energy consumption.” The result is simple, “lower electricity bills and more money left in the pockets of hardworking Bahamians.”
Affordable housing must go beyond simply moving families into far-off developments, said Minister Bell. “We must also focus on strengthening the communities they already call home, where families have roots, churches, schools and support systems.”
In his constituency of Carmichael, Minister Bell announced that the government has acquired approximately four acres of land on Vispen Road off St. Vincent Road for the development of a new government subdivision in Carmichael.
“This will mark the first addition of new government housing in the constituency in decades. The site will accommodate more than 40 affordable homes and we expect to commence construction of the first homes shortly. We have secured the Certificate of Environmental Clearing and the land has already been cleared.
“The new housing subdivision will feature three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, as well as two-bedroom, one-bathroom homes. All will
feature quality finishes including 40-year warranty architectural shingles, hurricane impact grade windows and much more.”
On a much wider scale, he stated: “Across our archipelago, thousands of Bahamian families are still waiting — waiting for a place to call their own. For far too many, homeownership feels like a distant dream, out of reach due to high costs, limited availability, and systemic barriers. “The data is clear: we are facing a housing deficit that is widening with each passing year. The 2020 Census confirmed what we see every day — multiple generations crowded under one roof, young families priced out of the market, and growing frustration among those who simply want the dignity and stability that comes with having a decent home.
“This is not just an economic challenge. It is a social and moral one.
That is why this Davis-led Administration is methodically pursuing bold, innovative, and practical solutions to meet the housing needs of our people.”
The Housing Minister explained: “Our administration’s housing policy is not a collection of ad hoc ideas — it is a coherent, deliberate, and comprehensive strategy to expand access to affordable, quality housing across The Bahamas — and to do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and grounded in dignity and opportunity.”
In the Blueprint for Change, he said, “we pledged to make housing a basic right — and we are delivering on that promise by expanding access to affordable homes through new subdivisions, rent-to-own programmes, and public-private partnerships.
“To deliver on this vision, Madam Speaker, we are building on eight interlocking pillars — each reinforcing the next to create a stronger, more resilient foundation for housing delivery: (1) the creation of new government subdivisions; (2) bringing derelict and underutilised properties to market; (3) duty reductions and targeted concessions; (4) public-private partnerships; (5) the Self-Build Housing Programme; (6) the overhaul of government rental units; (7) the Rent-to-Own Initiative; and (8) innovative funding mechanisms.
“These pillars are not political theatre. This is not a glossy report to be shelved or a set of promises for the distant future. This is a live programme of action — grounded in the present, rooted in the needs of real people, and already transforming lives across The Bahamas.”
(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)
NASSAU, BAHAMAS (July 8, 2025) What began as a small effort to give young people a constructive outlet has grown into an impactful summer camp with participants benefiting from structured practices, personal development sessions, and opportunities to compete. This year marked two incredible decades since D-Squad Basketball has been shaping not just athletes, but leaders.
From day one, Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) has believed in the program’s mission to build character, discipline, and drive in the next generation of Bahamians through the game of basketball.
The D-Squad camp welcomes dozens of boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 19, offering structured training, mentorship, and a safe,
empowering space to grow each year. With core values of drive, determination, dedication, and discipline at its foundation, the program has become a staple in the community. It has launched the dreams of young Bahamians and provided lifelong lessons both on and off the court. CWCO Board Member, Ethan Adderley, said “Investing in our youth is one of the most meaningful ways we can help build a stronger Bahamas. Programs like D-Squad Basketball offer structure, mentorship, and a sense of purpose. CWCO is proud to stand behind Coach McCoy and the work he’s doing to develop future leaders.”
The water supplier has funded equipment, uniforms, and other essential items so no child is left behind due to financial hardship. From first-time dribblers to college-bound athletes, D-Squad Basketball has reached hundreds of participants over the years.
Founder of D-Squad Basketball, Coach Harcourt McCoy, said, “D-Squad is more than basketball. It is a family, a mindset, and a movement.”
He added, “We have seen kids come through the program and go on to do great things, not just because they were good players, but because they learned how to push through, how to lead, how to believe in themselves. CWCO has been with us from the beginning, and thanks to their belief in our mission, we have been able to reach more children each year.”
As D-Squad celebrates this milestone year, CWCO is honored to continue investing in a program that proves what’s possible when a community comes together to lift its youth.
Bahamas News
Carnival’s Celebration Key Set to Open July 19, 2025, Marking a Major Milestone for Grand Bahama
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Grand Bahama, Bahamas, July 14, 2025 – The highly anticipated Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest private destination
on Grand Bahama Island, is set to officially open on July 19, 2025. This momentous occasion is expected to be a game-changer for the island’s tourism and economy, ushering in a new era of opportunities for local residents and businesses.
The inaugural docking will feature the Carnival Vista, arriving at the port from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, with a grand opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy will lead the celebrations, highlighting the collaboration between Carnival and The Bahamas to bring this vibrant new destination to life.
Celebration Key is Carnival’s first major project on Grand Bahama in over two decades. The sprawling port features five uniquely themed
areas, including the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons and the impressive 10-story Suncastle water playground. With a range of dining, entertainment, and retail options, the site promises an immersive experience tailored exclusively for Carnival guests.
Ahead of the grand opening, top Bahamian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, and State Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Zane Lightbourne, toured Celebration Key. Their visit underscored the importance of this development for the island’s future and the broader tourism sector.
With its stunning natural beauty and fresh amenities, Celebration Key is poised to become a premier destination in the Caribbean cruise market — a win for Carnival, Grand Bahama, and The Bahamas as a whole.
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