EDITOR, The Tribune.
We are writing to express our concerns about the lack of affordable and social housing in the Bahamas.
The lack of affordable housing has become a major issue for many Bahamians, as the cost of housing continues to rise, making it increasingly difficult for low-income and middle-income families to find a decent place to live.
The government’s efforts to provide affordable housing have been insufficient, with many families still struggling to find housing that is both affordable and safe. The current housing crisis in the Bahamas is a major social and economic issue that needs urgent attention.
In addition to affordable housing, there is also a critical need for social housing. Social housing is designed to provide safe, secure, and affordable accommodation for low-income families, seniors, and those with disabilities. Social housing can help to address the housing needs of vulnerable populations, providing them with the stability and support they need to lead successful lives.
The provision of social and affordable housing is not only a social responsibility but an economic one.
Affordable housing is a key factor in reducing poverty and homelessness, and can have a significant impact on the overall health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. The lack of affordable and social housing can and has led to a range of social problems, including increased crime rates, poor health outcomes, and decreased economic productivity.
It is time for the government to take urgent action to address the housing crisis in the Bahamas. We believe that this can be achieved through a combination of a more comprehensive policy and robust investment in the housing sector, including the development of social and affordable housing programmes, increased tax incentives for developers, and support for non-profit organizations that provide housing and support services for low-income families.
In conclusion, the lack of affordable and social housing in the Bahamas is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
We call on the government to take immediate action to ensure that all Bahamians have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing.
C ALLEN & EDEN
MERRY JOHNSON
Nassau,
March 24, 2023.
Comments
hrysippus 1 year ago
Does anyone know what is meant by " affordable and social housing"? The affordable part is understandable, but social? House that like to hang around with other houses?
bahamianson 1 year ago
Affordable house in an environment where inflation is sky high.....a misnomer. There is no such thing . We live on a 7 by 21 mile resort.....a resort is never cheap. Every last item has increased and you talk about affordable housing. You are disconnected and detached from reality.what you need to tell the teen girls and boys is to stop having children that you cannot realistically support accordingly to what you feel you are Entitled to. Yes, single female with 6 children is entitled to a 4 bedroom house with a honda on 21 inch rims. All children going to private school with an apple Iphone each. Etc...
LastManStanding 1 year ago
Not just an issue here, the same situation (and worse) is happening in every major North American city right now. Too many people and not enough new development. Housing bubble will pop eventually, but the economy will pop with it too, not a whole lot of people will be able to secure financing then. This decade is going to be a very turbulent one, economically speaking.
avidreader 1 year ago
The concept of so-called "affordable housing" is very interesting. I can understand the very reasonable desire of a person, or perhaps, a nuclear family, to have a place to call home. The problem is that the market value of the raw land is constantly rising along with the cost of labour and materials not to mention furniture, appliances, plumbing , electrical contractors, etc. Keep in mind that a building is technically worth the cost of the land along with the labour costs and material costs plus furnishings and heating or cooling systems, etc. Anything above that total figure is dependent upon the local market. Also, home ownership or the situation of a landlord involves costs associated with maintenance which are not declining. In other words. if I invest $250,000 in the construction of a home that is so attractive to a potential buyer that they are willing to offer me double that price, I will, most likely, accept their offer. The additional $250,000 that they paid is almost "vanity money". Another important consideration is the interest rate of a mortgage in the event that the potential buyer has to resort to a commercial lender. Interest rates in this country are not low even while most banks offer little or no interest to their cash depositors.
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