During a meeting with the Island Governor, Ms Alida Francis, and the Commissioner of Housing, Mr Reuben Merkman, the group discussed the progress of 36 new homes under construction in the Fairplay area (formerly known as the Condo Terrain). They also spoke about the next steps to accelerate the development of more affordable housing.
These initiatives will be formalised in an Improvement Agenda for Social Housing and a new Policy Agenda 2026–2030. Additionally, an addendum to the Housing Letter of Intent (signed in June 2022), further building on ongoing social housing policy, renovation, and construction efforts, will be prepared.
The above will be included in both the Improvement Agenda for Social Housing and the New Social Housing Agenda for the Caribbean Netherlands 2026–2030. A new section will also be added to the Housing Letter of Intent, building on the ongoing efforts to improve, renovate, and build social housing on the island.
The delegation also held productive discussions with Statia’s Rental Tribunal and the Social Housing Foundation. The visit clearly highlights the shared commitment of both the Kingdom Government and the Statia Government to reduce the housing shortage and improve living conditions, with the broader goal of alleviating poverty on our Golden Rock.
