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Over the next two to three years, the National Housing Corporation (NHC) will invest more than $50 million to build affordable homes for low-income families across St. Kitts.  “This programme will start in earnest in the first half of 2017,” Prime Minister Harris said during the recently concluded Budget debate , adding that a similar housing programme will be initiated in Nevis. The $50 Million would start what has been labeled as the FRESH START Home Development Programme Developing Affordable Homes For ALL.

The Home Development Programme will go well beyond the normal housing development programmes that the country has become accustomed to over the years. The new programme, unlike past developments,  will adopt a much more wholistic approach with the creation of homes as opposed to the simple construction of houses . The new home development programme will include energy efficient very affordable housing and a focus on environmentally friendly structures and communities with adequate green spaces and recreational areas. This programme shares the same ethos of already existing real estate companies, like the property block, but can operate on a larger scale.

The Homes will also be much more affordable and with a much more reasonable and fairer payment option. The Fresh Start Home Development Programme will  feature a  fairer income-based repayment plan, with persons who earn under $3,500.00 per month paying a 2% interest rate, persons who earn between $3,500.00 and $5,000.00 per month paying a 3% interest rate, and persons who earn over $5,000.00 per month paying a 5% interest rate on a maximum 30-year mortgage.

Under the new program, approximately 300 homes are to be built throughout St. Kitts.

The full program will be rolled out in January 2017, aided by a loan secured from the St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board. The St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board has approved a $50 million loan to the Federal Government for housing development in St. Kitts via the National Housing Corporation and a $10 million loan to the Nevis Island Administration for housing development in Nevis via the Nevis Housing & Land Development Corporation.