Party positions and policies: Housing solutions and strategies

With just days to go before the general election, Montserrat Focus is running a series of articles examining the key policies of political parties on a range of critical issues.

Each story will offer a look at where the parties stand on specific topics, helping voters to understand the differences in priorities and visions for the future of the island.

This article looks at housing solutions and strategies in Montserrat.

MCAP

In the Movement for Change and Prosperity (MCAP)’s 32-page manifesto, the party says it understands that housing is a basic need.

Members promise, if elected, to ensure the provision of suitable housing “which secures the safety and comfort of its occupants and is capable of withstanding climate volatility”.

To do this, MCAP will:

• Reintroduce the basement programme.
• Transfer ownership of government share to homeowners on the Shared Equity Programme.
• Complete the Drummonds Housing development by replacing the T-111 family units with proper concrete dwelling, supporting infrastructure and recreation facilities.
• Allocate government-owned land for residential development, allowing displaced residents and the diaspora to purchase affordable plots for home construction.
• Establish a government-backed low interest loan scheme for first-time homeowners, including young persons, displaced residents and returning diaspora members.
• Create a ‘Return Home’ programme with incentives for the Montserratian diaspora, offering affordable housing options for those wishing to return or invest in the island.
• Provide essential infrastructure on government lands to support new housing development.
• Continue the Drummonds to Lookout development project and Davy Hill development project.
• Identify and rehabilitate abandoned or dilapidated housing stock, converting them into viable homes for displaced people and returnees.
• Partner with local and international private sector investors to fund and construct modern, energy-efficient housing projects.
• Offer incentives for green housing initiatives.
• Update the Building Code to guide the construction of modern and efficient structures which are climate resilient and provide for disability access.
• Implement a rent to own programme for low income families to escape a lifetime of renting.
• Continue the work started and significantly improve the conditions for residents of Shinlands, Lookout and Davy Hill.
• Work with the private sector to expand the housing stock through the construction of low cost start up homes.
• Amend the tax laws to increase the mortgage interest deduction.

Representing MCAP are Samuel Joseph, Joseph E Farrell, Gilmore Williams, Edris Pamela Wade, Crenston Buffonge, Siobhan Tuitt,  Jamiel Melissia Greenaway, Charliena White, and Edith Fenton.

Click here to view MCAP’s full manifesto titled ‘Forward together’.

PDM

The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) party launched its 46-page manifesto on 16 October in which it describes its housing and lands programmes.

If elected, the party aims to build a “stronger, more resilient nation where every Montserratian has access to safe, affordable, and hurricane-resistant homes”.

To do this, PDM will:

• Fully implement a comprehensive National Housing Strategy. This plan will upgrade all non-hurricane-resistant housing across the island.
• Introduce a package of tax incentives and financial assistance for home construction, renovations, and upgrades.
• Develop incentives to encourage the private sector to construct affordable housing on both private and government-owned lands.
• Work with the relevant departments to provide duty-free concessions on building materials for new construction and home upgrades.
• Reactivate and access the $14 million in funds earmarked by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for housing.
• Expand current government redevelopment incentives for Foxes Bay and surrounding areas by providing assistance for land clearing, road construction, and infrastructure improvements.
• Provide hurricane-resistant housing to evacuees who have been waiting for over two decades. Each grant will be tailored to the financial capacity of the recipient.
• Invest in the refurbishment of 100-150 houses in Davy Hill, Lookout, and T-111 houses built by the government.
• Engage the British government and the international community to secure an additional $40 million for the construction of 250-300 new homes.
• Continue to provide service lots at a nominal fee of $1. Additional grant funding will be provided to ensure that individuals can qualify for loans and manage their payments.
• Facilitate the construction of 200 duplex apartment units on 50 acres of government land. These homes will be supported by grant assistance, with the land used as equity.
• Develop 200 upscale ‘condo-like’ units on an additional 50 acres of land. This will be achieved through a public-private partnership, with local and overseas investors participating.
• Launch a new project to construct 200 homes specifcally for returning Montserratians.
• Install essential infrastructure to support the development of commercial and residential housing projects.
• Establish clear, transparent procedures to ensure fairness in the allocation of housing assistance.
• Revise and strengthen the national Building Code, ensuring that all new constructions meet modern, hurricane-resistant, and safety standards.

Representing PDM are Paul Lewis, Donaldson Romeo, Glenville Daley, Alaric Lynch, Nyota Mulcare, David Osborne, Eustace Osborne, Shirley Osborne, and Jermaine Wade.

Click here to view PDM’s full manifesto titled ‘People first’.

PPP

The Positive Progression for People (PPP) party launched its 10-page manifesto back in July, but it does not include specific housing policies.

However, it reads: “We will promote the development of alternative systems and structures that prioritise the needs and interests of the vulnerable members of our community.

“This includes the establishment of community based organisations and initiatives that provide support and resources to marginalised communities.”

The sole candidate representing PPP at the election is Karen Allen.

Click here to view PPP’s full manifesto titled ‘United we stand, divided we starve’.

United Alliance

In the United Alliance’s 12-page manifesto, launched on 21 August, the party briefly describes its short, medium and long term plans for housing and construction in Montserrat.

In the short term, from zero to one year, if elected, the party will:

• Remove duties on building materials.
• Review the government’s housing policy to ensure affordable housing is accessible for all residents.
• Identify owners of abandoned residential properties that have fallen into disrepair to develop partnership for refurbishing these properties to add to the island’s housing stock.

In the medium term, from one to five years, the party will:

• Refurbish the government’s housing stock.
• Implement revenue-sharing partnership with property owners to refurbish abandoned residential properties and add them to the island’s available housing stock.

And in the long term, from five years onward, the party will:

• Ensure affordable housing remains accessible for all residents.

Representing United Alliance are Reuben T Meade, Anne Thomas, Marjorie Smith, Jenzil Skerrit, Veronica Dorsette-Hector, John Osborne, Ingrid Buffonge and Dwayne Hixon.

Click here to view United Alliance’s full manifesto titled ‘Restoring visionary, competent, trustworthy, and caring governance to Montserrat’.

Election day

A total of 33 electoral candidates will compete for seats in the Montserrat Legislative Assembly during the general election.

The six independent candidates are Claude Gerald, Debra Lewis, Wilford Meade, Charlesworth Piper, Delmaude Ryan, and Vickie Stephenson.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article provides impartial coverage of political activities in the lead up to the 24 October general election in Montserrat.