Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake on Wednesday afternoon received a copy of the Sint Maarten Housing Vision 2012-2020 Building Book that was presented by KAW Architects and Consultants.
The project commissioned by the Government of Sint Maarten and financed by USONA entailed a review of legislation relating to housing, and a review of the housing policy. The project objective is to increase the quality of life and living conditions of residents with low and middle incomes through policies and legislation relating to adequate and social housing.
The Building Book outlines what needs to be built; where to build; a definition of the different types of locations and (im)possibilities for realizing social housing; how to realize social housing; legislation, process per land ownership, role of government and finances; when, planning and prioritization.
The Building Book was compiled based on a broad overview of the island. This information was compiled by interviews, excursions, project teams and workshops on different issues which were widely discussed.
"The previous housing vision under the structure of Island Territory dated back to 2003. We are now 10-years later and a new vision was called for, and the Building Book presents a vision which now has to be acted upon.
"I would like to commend the work group and thank them and the consultants for their efforts, as well as USONA, the latter which provided the funding for this project. Housing is a basic human rights need and is anchored down into international treaties. In my going back to basics approach, housing is essential for the people of this country.
"My ministry has already been exploring possibilities on how we can finance the construction of hundreds of homes per year in order to meet the demand of those wanting their own home. We will do what has to be done in order to realize the vision.
"We need to provide homes for our senior citizens/physically challenged, homes for low and middle income families, as well as homes for those who live in so-called ‘shanty town’ areas," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Wednesday.
A project work group was established to assist with the compilation of the report and this included representatives from various entities, Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Policy Department, Domain Affairs, St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation, Civil Registry Department, Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour, Department of Statistics, Rent Committee, and the Department of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations.
The project was one outlined in the Implementation Plan Social Economic Initiatives (SEI) 2007-2010 which was financed by USONA, was developed to ensure a proper financial and economic foundation is laid for a sustainable Sint Maarten. The program had eight policy areas.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minster Hon. Maurice Lake (3rd from left) being presented with the SXM Housing Vision Building Book from KAW Consultant Ivar Diekerhof in the presence of representatives of the work group, USONA and Ministry VROMI staff.