Government Launches National Housing Policy

Question and answer panel. (Left to right: Dominique Durham, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development; Honourable Jamell Robinson, Minister for Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development; Marcus Samuel, President of the TCI Bankers Association; and Zhavago Jolly Master of Ceremonies.

The National Housing Policy and Programs was launched on 27, at Brayton Hall, Venetian Road, Providenciales.

The theme for the launch was “Creating Sustainable Communities through Equitable Homes”.

According to government, the implementation of the National Housing Policy is paramount, given that it is a direct result of the Government’s overall stated priorities and consultation findings such as the Turks and Caicos Islands 2040 Vision, the National Physical Development Plan 2020-2030, the National Housing Needs Survey 2022, and the Crown Land Review 2022 report, all of which stressed the need for access to adequate and affordable housing for Turks and Caicos Islanders.

The National Housing Policy introduces three short to medium term programs designed to address the housing needs in the Turks and Caicos Islands:

1) Program 1: Housing Concessions For Residential Developers

2) Program 2: Home Improvement Programs For Existing Homeowners

3) Program 3: Community Renewal and Infilling.

Audience members at the National Housing Policy launch.

The National Housing Policy also includes five strategic programs for consideration in the long term to address the broader issues involving housing. The establishment of the policy document itself has undergone a series of events, engagement forums, meetings, surveys, and consultation processes in order to establish a robust document aimed at addressing the specific housing needs in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

All three housing programs will be opened for application starting from the launch day itself.

The housing website contains all three programs’ eligibility criteria, guidelines, checklists, and application forms with clear steps to apply. A Housing Committee has been established to review the complete applications and recommend for further approvals.

Attendees registering upon arrival at the National Housing Policy launch.

The Housing Committee is chaired by the Housing and Community Renewal Department, with members from the Finance Department, Planning Department, Social Welfare Department, Crown Land Unit, and Invest TCI.

The public is also welcomed to visit the Housing and Community Renewal Department office at the Laporte’s Complex, Downtown, Providenciales. Visit the housing website at https://gov.tc/housing for further information.