The National Housing Corporation is about to embark on a programme to provide a fresh suite of houses and apartments for purchase and rent, Minister of Housing and Lands, the Honourable Dr. William Duguid, has revealed.
Speaking during debate of the 2021-22 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure this afternoon in the House of Assembly, Minister Duguid, revealed that in preparation for this thrust, the current list of more than 20,000 applicants will be examined to ensure it is up-to-date.
Minister Duguid told the House of Assembly that not one day passes without at least five persons approaching him in search of housing. He noted that in many instances Barbadians have the wherewithal to pay rent, but do not have the money that would allow for a down payment that could see them move from renter to owner.
To satisfy this great demand, he said that a repurposed NHC would be, on its own and in association with the private sector, embarking on a new building programme. He revealed that shortly construction would begin a number of “quads” at Whitepark Road.
This, he said, would allow for faster completion of homes that are more economical and comfortable than the high-rise apartments the NHC had built in more recent years in the urban corridor.