The Ministry of Housing has announced the official appointment of constituency housing assessors, a move designed to ensure that national housing needs are evaluated with greater consistency and efficiency.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Housing, Hon. Andrew John, who emphasized that these assessors are already working throughout the country to identify the most vulnerable citizens and establish clear priorities for aid. According to the Minister, this systematic approach ensures that the government’s limited resources are directed toward families facing the most significant housing challenges.
Minister John’s remarks followed a recent site visit to North Leeward, where he was joined by the Area Representative, Hon. Dr. Kishore Shallow. During the tour, the Minister highlighted the impressive pace of local construction, noting that some housing projects have advanced from foundation to roofing in just five weeks.
“This demonstrates what can be achieved through effective planning, committed contractors, and strong collaboration,” Minister John stated, adding that the Ministry remains focused on delivering high-quality homes in the shortest possible time frame.
A major highlight of the Ministry’s current agenda is the expansion of the housing programme into the Southern Grenadines. This initiative is being facilitated through a collaborative partnership supported by Ian Wace.
This partnership will target housing interventions in Union Island, Canouan, Mayreau, and Bequia. By leveraging this external support, the Ministry aims to accelerate delivery in the Grenadines while simultaneously increasing its capacity to manage additional projects on the mainland.
To support these expanding efforts, the Ministry has overhauled its logistics by establishing centralized storage and distribution systems for construction materials. This change allows the government to manage projects across multiple communities at the same time, significantly improving overall efficiency.
The Ministry provided a positive outlook for the remainder of the year and beyond:
- Completion Timeline: Homes currently under construction are projected to be finished within approximately five weeks.
- Repairs: A significant number of additional housing repairs are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
- Long-term Planning: A further expansion of the housing programme is already being planned for 2027.
Despite ongoing fiscal challenges, Minister John praised the dedication of the technical staff, contractors, and stakeholders who have maintained professional standards to provide safe housing for the people. He and Dr. Shallow reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering practical solutions that improve the quality of life for the nation’s most vulnerable families.