Derelict properties to be converted to housing

Government is working on a plan to use the 25 000-plus derelict properties and empty lots across the island to build more housing for Barbadians.

Minister of Housing, Lands and Maintenance Dwight Sutherland, who made the disclosure on Wednesday, said research had confirmed that there are more than 15 000 derelict properties and 10 000 vacant lots in Barbados.

And he said demolition of derelict buildings has already begun.

“It is Government’s [plan] to place houses on most of these available lands as a result of the removal of derelict properties…,” Sutherland told the media following a tour of Ridge Meadows, Christ Church where 565 houses are being built by B.J Investments Limited.

“We are presently preparing a paper to go to Cabinet to come up with a policy decision as to how we are going to implement this project. There are views that we should have a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and a college of negotiators where we can build out that project.”

Sutherland said the Government would work with the landowners to get houses on these properties.

“We will work properly through an SPV with land owners; we are not just taking up people’s land. We remove derelict buildings and then what you have there is land, you don’t have a home. So, we have to work with them to make sure that [with] those 15 000 derelict and 10 000 vacant lots we provide homes for those persons who are badly in need of homes in this country,” the Housing Minister said.

He added that Government has already sourced lands for ongoing housing projects and was working on acquiring additional properties.

Sutherland assured that Barbados has more than enough land to build the 10 000-plus houses that the Government is aiming to construct over a five-year period.
(AH)