On April 16, the House of Assembly concluded the debate on the 2021/2022 Budget with several pronouncements by the Government, including that of several housing and land rationalization programmes.

Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet detailed the programs as he presented the Appropriation Bill 2021/2022 in Parliament on Tuesday, April 13. Prime Minister Chastanet said the housing policy and related interventions by government have consistently been rooted in four main principles: to increase the number of Saint Lucian landowners; to provide citizens with access to safe and affordable housing; to rationalize existing unplanned settlements; and to establish residential land developments around the island.

“These are ongoing activities. Our Sites and Services Programme this year will focus on the provision of 133 lots in La Fargue, Piaye, Monier, and Ti Rocher, Micoud. We’re also looking at 290 lots in the community of Anse Ger, and another 250 lots in Volet,” he said.

The infrastructure associated with this programme includes the construction of double-lane concrete access roadways with associated reinforced concrete drains and culverts, as well as the installation of water and electricity supply networks. Prime Minister Chastanet further informed that two new housing developments in Belair and Odsan will commence this year and will impact at least 200 households. He stressed that the Government of Saint Lucia must ensure that existing residents are not left out of the formal development space that is being created, and that affordable lots must be provided for those who want to become property owners with provisions made for commercial operations, recreational/green spaces, institutional uses, and multi family structures.

“All of our people deserve to live in an environment that makes them feel safe and provides a sense of dignity and worth. This is what we intend to deliver. It is my expectation that this initiative along with others driven by the private sector will serve to advance and enhance the conversation surrounding settlement development in Saint Lucia,” he said.

Plans for housing developments in Choc, Talvern and Bois Jolie are also underway.