Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
As the affordability of homes and the rising cost of living is a pressing issue for many Sabans, Public Entity Saba together with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Own Your Own Home Foundation, and Bazalt Wonen (previously Woonlinie) signed a ‘Letter of Intent’, during the winter of 2023/24, in which it was agreed to work together to take measures on the housing market to improve living standards and address poverty.
All parties came together on the 10th of April to take stock of progress and to discuss the next steps. This includes developing an independent way to determine rent for socially rented homes and how much tenants can contribute based on their income. The remainder will be subsidized by the government. This will ensure that tenants of social homes pay a fair rent and will not pay more than they can afford. This will also be supported by a rent tribunal where rental issues can be independently challenged.
Another priority is to build more affordable homes. The Under the Hill 2 project was recently completed, but the need for more affordable homes remains. The Public Entity will explore potential locations for affordable housing which, next to social rented homes, could also include affordable owner-occupied housing.
Finally, there is the intention to set up a fund to support self-built homes. The costs of building a home are high on Saba, as it is often not possible to include the costs for the foundation and cistern as part of a mortgage. The Public Entity with its partners will explore in what ways they can support those who want to build their own home with these high up-front costs.
GIS
It’s about time that they bring back the option of assisting locals to build their own homes. Years ago, the OYOHF used to offer loans to locals for this. It allows your locals to be more independent and sufficient in being able to get the assistance to build and own their own dwelling. We went backwards instead of forwards when this stopped.
Our older population, for the most part, own their own homes. They do not have the expense of having to pay rent from their mentions.
It is a real concern for the younger population who does not have access to family land nor access to loans to build a home. When they reach the age of retirement, how will they survive on pension with the high rent costs and costs of living on the island.