Is the provision of housing still a major issue?
Housing is generally viewed as a basic need of all human beings. Over the years, owning “a piece of the rock” was considered one of the most progressive steps a Barbadian could take.
That has not changed, and actually some would argue such a view is even more prevalent here in 2016.
The ability to buy or build a home in Barbados depends on access to financial resources and the individual’s ability to meet the cost of a small house or expensive mansion.
In general terms, though, both the quality and quantity of homes in Barbados have improved significantly over time, and continues to do so.
However, while Barbados has generally progressed economically, and individual citizens have become more financially independent, there has been ongoing debate about the role Government should play in the provision of housing.
Some suggest Government should act mainly as facilitator, introducing whatever housing policies are required, and ensuring that money alone does not determine who gets to own land or houses.
Others think the state should be more heavily involved, going as far as building and selling homes at affordable rates, and providing other accommodation for rent.
This is something that has taken place in Barbados over the last several decades, and continues to exist, largely under the responsibility of the National Housing Corporation (NHC).
All of this suggests that there is a need for a mix of housing solutions involving Government and the private sector.
This is not a situation that is unique to Barbados, and successive Governments have taken various steps to ensure Barbadians are adequately housed. This has seen the introduction of various solutions.
Barbados has also received assistance (financial and otherwise) from international agencies, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The IDB itself has often highlighted the importance of housing here and in the region and the need for improvements.
In 2012, the IDB produced a report entitled Room For Development: Housing Markets In Latin America And The Caribbean.
It said countries in the region needed to “improve land regulation, boost financing and mobilise private resources to increase the supply of adequate and affordable housing”.
“Latin America and the Caribbean faces a large and growing housing deficit, which can only be addressed if governments in the region foster greater private sector investment to increase the supply of adequate and affordable housing,” the study said.
“Currently, one in three families in Latin America and the Caribbean, or 59 million people, live in dwellings that are either unsuitable for habitation or are built with poor materials and lack basic infrastructure services.”
Current Minister of Housing Denis Kellman has said Government will pursue a variety of measures to ensure that Barbadians are adequately housed, and this includes working with the private sector.
Last year, Kellman also said it was important that a number of abandoned and derelict houses to be revitalised.
He said Government was pursuing agreements with property owners to acquire these holdings to boost the island’s housing stock.
He also said it was important to ensure that the NHC was financially stable so that it could fully meet its mandate. This included selling more houses.
Barbados will also be pursuing housing development under the provisions of Habitat, a programme led by the United Nations that focuses on sustainable development in urban and rural areas.
Progress in this regard is expected to take place when Habitat III, the global forum, takes place in Quito, Ecuador, in mid-October.
