Service Lots in the Sunset Close Subdivision as part of the Government of The Bahamas’ new access to affordable homes programme, are “ready for sale,” Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira told House Members last Tuesday.
Minister Ferreira said persons wishing to acquire a Service Lot in the subdivision, can apply at the Department of Housing commencing July 1, 2018.
Delivering his contribution to the 2018/2019 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, Minister Ferreira further announced that final infrastructural works, including road paving, have been completed for the Sunset Close Subdivision.
Minister Ferreira said the Department of Housing has received transfer of title from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Minister responsible for Housing, for the Sunset Close Subdivision extension, and has completed all of the necessary drawings and has secured survey site plans and approvals of all legal documentation processes for the Sunset Close Subdivision.
Under the Access to Affordable Homes Bill, 2018, citizens of The Bahamas who own Service Lots in a Government-approved subdivision, can apply to the Minister of Finance for exemption from Customs Duties and Excise Tax on all materials necessary to construct a single-family dwelling home.
Administration officials say this will substantially reduce construction costs to first-time homeowners in New Providence and the Family Islands.
Potential first-time homeowners will be given a two-year window within which to construct their homes. They will also have the option of utilizing their own architect and/or contractor, or using a pre-existing housing plan offered by the government.
Minister Ferreira said to facilitate and regulate the sale of Service Lots and the development of government subdivisions, the Department of Housing has established five new units – the Estate Management Unit; the Service Lots Sales Unit; Administrative Research and Planning Unit; the Legal Unit and the Subdivision Infrastructural Development Unit.
The Department is also in the process of developing a marketing strategy to permit construction companies to provide affordable construction packages for first-time homeowners.
“Home is where love resides and memories are created,” Minister Ferreira said. “It is where our friends always belong and laughter never ends.”
Minister Ferreira said additionally, the Title Deed Transfer process has commenced for the Lionel Davis Subdivision, located in the Fox Hill Community. That subdivision will provide an additional 10 Service Lots. Survey site plans and drawings have been completed with infrastructural works scheduled to commence in July.
The Lionel Davis Subdivision is also a part of the Government of The Bahamas’ new access to affordable homes programme. The Government decided to shift its focus from the construction of houses and concentrate on installing the necessary infrastructure for the development and sale of residential Serviced Lots. To date, the Department of Housing has identified properties for subdivision development in New Providence (three subdivisions), Andros, Abaco, Exuma and San Salvador.
“Likewise, surveying of properties in Alice Town Subdivision in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, is slated to begin shortly,” Minister Ferreira said.
“The Department of Housing has also completed the subdivision design for the development of the 300-plus Service Lots in the Carmichael Village Subdivision. Infrastructure works for Phase I of this subdivision are expected to start in the first half of the new budget year.”
Minister Ferreira said five million dollars have been provided in this budget for infrastructural upgrades. These funds will be used to complete the infrastructural works in the Lionel Davis Subdivision and the first phase of Carmichael Village that will have 150 Service Lots.
