Vincentians get alternative housing

Persons who have deposited money for houses with East Caribbean Home Corporation don’t have to worry about losing their cash. The money is safe, and interest is being built on the savings.
The Housing project was launched here Friday, February 13, and plans were announced for construction of 67 houses at Mt Pleasant in the South Windward district in one year’s time. {{more}}
The houses were priced at $139,000 for a two bedroom, and $185,000 for three bedrooms.
But the East Caribbean Home Corporation will be looking at different areas to Mt Pleasant to put up the residences.
Jeffrey Providence is chairman of the East Caribbean Home Corporation. He emphasised that the project was “alive” when Searchlight spoke with him last Wednesday.
There were murmurs that the project at Mt. Pleasant, about nine miles south east of capital city Kingstown was in doubt.
Interest in the area took a new turn, and effectively plans for the housing project have been put on hold. That is to prepare for construction of a jetport in the area.
Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in a recent sitting of parliament here outlined that Argyle was the best site for an international airport on mainland St. Vincent.
One factor, which hampered consideration of construction at Argyle, was compensation to home and landowners in the area.
With the pace towards the building of the airport gathering momentum, questions over the housing project by the East Caribbean Home Corporation surfaced with prominence.
But Providence has dismissed suggestions that the housing project has been cancelled. He is happy with the thrust in air communications here.
“We understand the priority of national development,” Providence pointed out.
He acknowledged that persons had paid money on houses and he assured that: “We will deal with the recovery of money through the proper channels.”
He asserted that “the project is not dead.” Providence pointed out that his company was looking at other sites.
He stated that they “secured the construction finance for 150 homes.”
Besides, Providence’s company promised a project to create jobs.
He outlined plans to bring in a factory to build the panels, which will be used to build the houses.
‘I respect the government’s intentions to provide enhanced opportunities for air travel,” Providence pointed out. He boasted of having several meetings with the Prime Minister.
Providence assured investors and prospective homeowners that 150 homes would indeed be erected.
A portion of land on the West St. George area has been earmarked and areas on the Leeward district are also under consideration.
Providence confided that prospective homeowners “are waiting for us to come up with new sites.”
Housing construction has been a major plank of Vincentian life over the years. The decision by the Unity Labour Party to build low income houses has seen escalation in construction here.
Still, Providence is not worried about overkill in housing construction, and he is confident that his housing project will compare favourably with the government’s Low income Housing project.